Sean Payton Highlights Pat Bryant as “Secret Weapon” in the Broncos’ playoff push
When Sean Payton talks about players who can change the trajectory of the Denver Broncos’ season, his words carry a certain weight.
As thednvr.com noted, that praise was directed towards rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant.
“You can feel his presence now,” Payton said after Sunday’s win. “He’s playing faster, he’s playing with confidence, and when he steps on the field, it gives us another dimension.”
“That’s exactly what you want to see at this stage of the year.”
Over the past few weeks, Bryant has evolved from a rotational rookie into a trusted weapon in a Broncos offense that’s finding its rhythm over the last five quarters.
Payton called Bryant’s emergence a “vital piece” of the Broncos’ playoff push going forward and that he will continue to see more volume as the season goes on.
“Pat’s a worker,” quarterback Bo Nix said postgame.
“He’s where he’s supposed to be, he’s physical at the catch point, and he doesn’t shy away from big moments. When you see a young guy like that keep showing up, it makes you want to get him the ball.”
Bryant’s Breakout Game
In Sunday’s 44-22 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Bryant caught four passes for forty yards and a touchdown.
His touchdown came on a 24-yard pass from Bo Nix where Bryant hauled in an amazing catch in the end zone.
It was the kind of performance that validated the trust Denver’s coaching staff had been hinting at for weeks.
Even though Bryant only has seven receptions for 86 yards on the season, he has been starting to get more playing time and targets.
Over the last two games, Bryant has been targeted eight times, which is more than he was in the previous six games combined.
Over the last four games, the rookie wide receiver has a 54.75% snap share, which is a much larger number than his 21.75% snap share in the first four weeks of the season.
This signals the growing trust that Sean Payton has in his young receiver.
“He’s one of those guys who just keeps stacking good days,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “You don’t have to draw up anything special for him. He finds ways to make plays in the structure of what we’re doing. That’s a big deal for a rookie.”
How Bryant Can Elevate the Broncos’ offense
At 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds, Bryant brings a physical, reliable target that balances the route-running precision of Courtland Sutton and the speed of Troy Franklin.
His ability to win contested catches and block in space fits perfectly into Payton’s offensive system.
“He’s strong at the catch point,” Payton noted. “We’ve talked about that all year, finishing plays, competing for the ball. He does that. When you’re trying to sustain drives or punch it in down in the red zone, that stuff matters.”
As Denver enters a crucial stretch in the thick of the AFC West race, Bryant’s emergence adds a new layer to the Broncos’ offense and brings significant upside moving forward.
“Every week, I just try to do my job,” Bryant said in the locker room. “If that helps us win, that’s what I’m here for.”
With his coach calling him “vital” and his quarterback already trusting him in key moments, Pat Bryant may be the piece that helps elevate Denver’s offense as the Broncos set their sights on a Super Bowl run.
“UNREAL”: NFL Can’t Believe What Colts’ Jonathan Taylor Is Doing This Season
Jonathan Taylor has turned the NFL season into his personal highlight reel, and even fans and analysts are running out of superlatives. His latest masterpiece, 153 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-14 win over the Titans, has pushed both the Indianapolis Colts and Taylor’s MVP campaign into the national spotlight.
The explosive back dazzled with an 80-yard touchdown run that instantly went viral, his fastest sprint since entering the league. The play not only tied a franchise record but also encapsulated the dominance of a player making football’s toughest position look effortless. At 7-1, Indianapolis sits atop the league standings, led by an offense that has found its rhythm behind Taylor’s historic form.
Taylor’s production puts him among elite company. He’s tied Hall of Famer Lenny Moore for second in franchise career touchdowns and sits just one shy of Edgerrin James. This season alone, he’s scored 14 times while averaging nearly six yards per carry, numbers rarely seen in today’s pass-heavy NFL. Teammates and fans have responded accordingly, chanting “MVP” as he continues to rewrite franchise and league records.
At Lucas Oil Stadium, Taylor’s ability to turn routine carries into breakaway runs has transformed the Colts into an offensive juggernaut. His 80-yard dash against Tennessee, aided by stellar blocking and sheer acceleration, sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Analysts like ESPN’s Stephen Holder have noted that the speed and balance Taylor displayed make him not only the best running back in football but one of the league’s most feared weapons overall.
NFL Reacts to What Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Taylor Has Been Doing This Season
The NFL has shared its reaction to Taylor’s insane run this season. This can be seen in a post shared by the league’s official Instagram account.
Colts coaches have credited his consistency, noting his improvement not just as a rusher but as a receiver and leader. Whether pounding through defenders or outrunning entire secondaries, Taylor has rekindled an appreciation for the greatness of the position.
Each week seems to bring a new chapter in Taylor’s rise, and opposing defenses continue to find no answers. “Unreal” has become the trending word for what Indianapolis fans are witnessing, which is a a season so dominant it feels destined to end with MVP history.
