Russell Wilson’s late-game magic, which lifted the Broncos past Buffalo and Minnesota during their five-game win streak, died out at the 8-yard line at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday afternoon.
After two straight incompletions, Wilson and company faced a crucial third-and-goal for all the marbles. Wilson dropped back and was immediately pressured by edge rusher Jonathan Greenard.
Wilson managed to slip past Greenard and fire off a throw to tight end Lucas Krull in the end zone, where Houston safety Jimmie Ward jumped and recorded the game-sealing interception.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton knows all too well that the margin for error is thin when fighting for a playoff spot. And in Denver’s 22-17 loss to the Texans, the Broncos committed a few too many errors to survive it.
The Broncos’ attempt at a miracle highlighted communication issues that plagued the team throughout the afternoon.
Krull was never meant to be the hero. The Broncos had wide receivers Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Marvin Mims Jr. on the field, but Payton said the players hadn’t shifted into their final formation before running their routes. Payton added that this led to the team playing “street ball” and Krull becoming the intended target.
“Communication has to improve, especially on the road,” Payton said. “Too many snaps where guys aren’t ready, or we didn’t get the shift, or we didn’t get the call. That’s troubling, especially this time of year.”
Perhaps Payton could’ve prevented the shift issues if he had a timeout before the game-ending play.
Denver reached Houston’s 22-yard line with three timeouts, and each one seemed to evaporate instantly. Payton elected to use the team’s first timeout after the two-minute warning because he wanted the right play on fourth down. The Broncos converted when running back Javonte Williams ran for a first down.
“We knew we had plenty of plays and time, so it wasn’t a timeout issue (or) a clock issue,” Payton said.
The second timeout came after Wilson threw an incomplete pass on third down. On fourth-and-2, Wilson ran up the middle for a 5-yard gain, but instead of spiking the ball, he used the final timeout.
Denver’s sixth loss of 2023 was littered with sloppy play and missed opportunities that could haunt the Broncos if they don’t take care of business in the final five games of the regular season.
Another costly play came in the second quarter. With 3:17 left in the half, The Broncos faced a fourth-and-1 when Wilson scrambled for a 3-yard gain to get the first down. Yes, Wilson did his job by keeping the drive alive, but he missed an even bigger play. Jeudy was uncovered on an over route and could’ve walked into the end zone for a touchdown had the ball come his way.
Even though Denver’s offensive line struggled on Sunday, the unit provided solid protection on that play, and Williams delivered a nice block on linebacker Christian Harris to give Wilson enough time.
The nine-time Pro Bowler failed to make the throw, and Jeudy was visibly frustrated. Eventually Denver settled for a field goal to cut the deficit to 13-3.
“That was a play where (Houston) dropped coverage, and (Jeudy) very easily was a viable target for a big play,” Payton said. “If you watch all of (the tape), holy cow, there are about two or three of those plays.”
Extra Points
• Broncos inside linebacker Alex Singleton has been a workhorse. Singleton played in every defensive snap for the ninth straight game, and he hasn’t come off the field since Week 3 against the Dolphins. Cornerback Pat Surtain II missed nine snaps due to his knee injury in the first quarter. Surtain eventually returned, but Sunday marked the first time this season that he didn’t play the entire game.
• Denver’s ability to force turnovers was essential to its win streak. The Texans, however, flipped the script. Houston’s defense picked off Wilson three times, as the veteran signal-caller threw at least three interceptions in a game for the sixth time in his career. Wilson totaled three interceptions last season in Denver’s disastrous 51-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas day.
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