Sean Payton is brief on why Broncos starters played more in preseason finale

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton was not in the chattiest of moods after the team’s preseason finale on Saturday.

He had explained earlier this week he expected his starters to play between eight and 10 plays against the New Orleans Saints.

Instead, QB Bo Nix and the rest of the offense took the field for three series.

The first was a disaster, with the Broncos punting after losing two yards overall.

The second was better, although Denver did need a fourth-down conversion from Nix to wide receiver Courtland Sutton to set up a field goal.

And finally, on the last drive early in the second quarter, Nix and Sutton hooked up twice. The first time went for 43 yards and the second time for 19 yards and a touchdown.

Sean Payton was asked why they got extended work, varying from the plan, and didn’t seem real thrilled.

“I said eight to 10 (plays) and it’s not etched in concrete. You forgot that last part of it. So, it wasn’t etched in concrete,” Payton said.

Clearly, the Broncos first-team offense needed to score a touchdown. They struggled in San Francisco against the 49ers in the first preseason game and didn’t take the field against the Cardinals last week. This was a confidence booster before Week 1.

“Yeah, you want to score, get out there, but I thought we did some good things,” Payton said.

Those good things were highlighted by Nix finishing 10-14 for 110 yards and the touchdown. Sutton hauled in four passes for 83 yards and a score.

However, rookie running back RJ Harvey had just three carries for four yards. Projected starter J.K. Dobbins didn’t play once again.

“I thought we ran the ball better in the second half, per carry, than the first,” Payton said. “I said I thought we ran the ball better (in the second half).”

Payton was pleased with Audric Estime, fighting for a roster spot in the third and fourth quarters, as he went for 45 yards on just eight carries.

So, there you have it, the preseason is finally over. And Sean Payton, like the fans, clearly is ready for real football which starts in just 15 short days.

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