Sean Payton not pleased with performance against Packers

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 21: Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton reacts to a play in the second half during a preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on August 21, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After winning eight games preseason games in a row, the Denver Broncos had their streak busted in front of a packed hometown crowd against the Green Bay Packers on Friday night. Outside of a few areas, the Broncos struggled consistently throughout the game.

Overall, it was a poor showing. Certainly not a gridiron endeavor that lived up to the standard and bar the team has raised in recent seasons. With just one more preseason game left and several weeks before the regular season opener on Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs, the time is now for the Broncos to do whatever it takes to rectify the issues that consistently inhibited them against Green Bay.

Obviously that wasn't good enough. I said this after the game-just pick a topic. Pick penalties, we lose there, kickoff, kickoff return, we lose that battle; rushing numbers, we lose that. We can't just say, Hey, this is preseason game two," stated Payton in the post-game presser obviously displeased with the overall effort and outcome of the performance.

Each phase saw their share of what ended up being the final score. Tomorrow we've got to be able to come in, coaches the same way, and look closely at what we're doing and get the corrections made. You can't not pay attention to these games, these scrimmages, these important steps towards the start of the regular season."

One area that needs to be addressed promptly for the team will be penalties. The team had eight in the preseason opener against the Falcons and ten against the Packers. That's eighteen total through two games.

Last season, the Broncos were the fourth-most penalized team in the NFL with 129. If they continued the pace they are at now, they would lead the league this season by a wide margin. Certainly not a category anyone wants to sit atop the chart at.

Each one's different. Some of them we keep seeing in practice. We're seeing the same penalties in the game-we saw it last year. We've got to get that cleaned up," remarked Payton.

Last season, the Broncos sported one of the best offensive and defensive lines in football. I remain confident both will play at a high level for the upcoming season. However, both units, especially the second team and beyond, had a hard time getting things done in their second preseason appearance.

For a second straight week, the special teams' unit had issues. Against the Falcons, they had multiple snafus on field goal units. This week? Their units to cover punts and kicks weren't firing on all cylinders. Unfortunately, this has been an ongoing theme for quite some time.

The Packers outrushed the Broncos 118 yards to 69 yards and controlled the pace of the game by being efficient on the ground. Green Bay also outgained Denver in the passing game and finished with a total of 22 first downs compared to a lowly 13 put up by the Broncos. The secondary struggled on occasion, especially combating concepts over the middle of the field.

I can't think of one area that we played or outplayed them, honestly. I'm just being honest," added Payton.

There is no doubt the Broncos have one of the toughest schedules this season. Especially in the first half of the year where they face off against a half dozen playoff teams and a handful that boast Super Bowl aspirations. Denver can't afford to be their own worst enemies early on, or they will have a tough time achieving success in 2026.