Sean Payton Addresses Broncos' Coverage Issues Following Jaguars Loss

In the aftermath of the Denver Broncos' 34-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Sean Payton addressed significant coverage issues plaguing the Broncos' defense. The loss ended the Broncos' 11-game win streak, revealing vulnerabilities that Payton described as 'too many' coverage breakdowns.

Payton noted that quarterback Trevor Lawrence dissected the Broncos' defense, completing 23 of 36 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns, taking advantage of mismatches against Denver's linebackers and safeties.

Defensive players, including Pat Surtain II and P.J. Locke, expressed frustration over the defensive lapses, particularly with missed tackles and communication errors leading to Jacksonville converting eight of 15 third downs.

Locke, filling in for the injured Brandon Jones, acknowledged the need to improve, stating, "That's stuff we've just got to handle." The Broncos' defense has allowed an average of 25.8 points per game over the last month, raising concerns about their readiness for upcoming games.

As they prepare for a Christmas Day matchup against Kansas City, players like linebacker Alex Singleton emphasized the need to learn from this defeat, highlighting the importance of getting off the field on critical downs.

Payton stressed that the team must not let this loss define their season, stating, "They beat us and beat us good, and that starts with me." The Broncos still have the opportunity to secure the AFC West crown with two games remaining, but the Jaguars' performance served as a wake-up call for a team that must address its defensive shortcomings swiftly to maintain playoff aspirations.