Simply put, the Broncos performed brilliantly at the outset before committing a series of mistakes that eventually overwhelmed them, thanks largely to the strategic acumen of Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh — a man the Denver braintrust tried to hire in 2023 before settling for current head man Sean Payton. And as fans on social media pointed out, the way Harbaugh took Payton to school demonstrated why.
The match-up wasn't make-or-break for Denver. The Broncos had already clinched their first winning season since 2016 with this past weekend's wacky triumph over the Indianapolis Colts, and their odds of making the playoffs would remain high win or lose. But a victory would have clinched a post-season berth, rendering tough closing faceoffs against the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs academic rather than potentially meaningful. Moreover, the Chargers were beset with injuries to the likes of star running back J.K. Dobbins and a slew of defensive stalwarts, and stud quarterback Justin Herbert's bum ankle only added to the squad's apparent vulnerability.
This scenario seemed to manifest itself early: L.A. went three and out on their opening possession, promptly giving the ball to Denver and its first-year quarterback, Bo Nix. But instead of calling on Nix to start heaving up throws intended to bolster his rookie-of-the-year chances, Payton actually followed through on his oft-proclaimed desire to revive the Broncos' moribund rushing attack — and, shock of shocks, it actually worked.
Backs Javonte Williams and Audric Estime repeatedly gashed the Chargers for sizable gains during a ten-play march that consumed nearly six minutes of game time before Estime slammed into the end zone. And while the Broncos' next two possessions weren't quite as run-heavy as the first, they were just as effective, resulting in a pair of TD passes by Nix — the first a one-yarder to fullback Michael Burton, the second to surprisingly effective wide receiver Devaughn Vele. The resulting 21 points on three drives suggested a Denver domination that's been all too uncommon in recent years.
Unfortunately, there were warning signs that a W wouldn't be that easy to secure. After the Broncos' initial score, the Chargers cashed in a touchdown of their own after a seventy-yard drive in which Herbert generally had enough time in the pocket to finish a holiday meal — a theme that would recur throughout the evening — and the cushions between his targets and Denver defenders tended to be larger than any pedaled by Jake Jabs.
Granted, L.A. was stopped for a field goal on its next turn on offense, and a late second-quarter attempt at another visit to the promised land was short-circuited by a timely interception by blossoming cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine. Yet disaster loomed. Rather than either running out the remaining 41 seconds of the half or aggressively trying to pad the lead, Payton opted for an indistinct middle ground that Harbaugh quickly exploited.
After three inconsequential Broncos snaps, Harbaugh called a time-out with eight seconds remaining, forcing Denver to punt — and a fair-catch interference penalty by Tremon Smith gave the Chargers the chance for a 57-yard free-kick field goal on an untimed down in which the Broncos could only stand and watch. The rare turn of events (such a kick last happened in the NFL circa 1976) ended the first two stanzas on an extremely sour note.
The off-key blasts would continue in the second half for the Broncos. The Chargers adjusted to Denver's ball-control strategy, but Payton didn't counter effectively, and his ultra-conservative approach ultimately caused the O to grind to a halt. In the meantime, the L.A. offense took advantage of some key Broncos gaffes — most notably penalties for roughing the passer and a horse-collar tackle — to erase their deficit.
Denver put up only three points in the third quarter and another three in the waning moments, versus a trio of Chargers touchdowns supplemented by a two-point conversion. That's a recipe for a soul-crushing collapse, which is precisely what happened.
Afterward, Broncos loyalists on X destroyed Payton — and that was entirely appropriate. Check out a twenty-item sampling of their ire below, capped by an inaccurate prediction that no local media outlet would publish a post like this one.
Number 20:
Sean Payton and Vance deserve all the blame for this game. Sean called plays like an asshole and got way too conservative in the 2nd half. Inexcusable. Vance made zero adjustments and has now got his ass kicked 2 of the last 3 games.
— Mile High Salute (@salutemilehigh) December 20, 2024
Number 19:
Sean Payton got outcoached again!
— Whitney (@whitlextaylor) December 20, 2024
Number 18:
Sean Payton got outcoached. That BS at the end of the first half cost them. Is this your first season coaching Sean???
— Dr. Toolkit_Smirks_4 (@4Smirks) December 20, 2024
Number 17:
Not agree with most of your takes, but we truly haven’t beat anyone and Sean Payton is worse than Hackett with clock management. He also never makes adjustments. We are consistently outcoached in the second half of games. Pathetic effort!!!!
— Jason Udy (@JasonUdy3224) December 20, 2024
Number 16:
Great example of how much coaching matters. Payton blew it at the end of the half and never got it back. VJ got totally outcoached. Sean has got to open this offense up, throw the ball downfield. #BroncosCountry #Broncos #MileHighReport
— Michael Jones (@mgf0263) December 20, 2024
Number 15:
I love watching Sean Payton choke away games on national television. pic.twitter.com/b6l8H8YW9x
— 𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚𝙧 (@TylerTalksBall) December 20, 2024
Number 14:
jim harbaugh just outcoached sean peyton someone pinch me this can’t be real?
— Qix (@Ayqixcy) December 20, 2024
Number 13:
Lol you're not fooling anyone, Broncos were expected to be 2nd best team in the AFCW, with Chargers finishing last lol...Harbaugh brings a winning integrity..btw, Jim has already outcoached Sean lol it's all on tape, and it don't lie
— baked pancakes (@AnjunaGoon) December 18, 2024
Number 12:
Just a series of laughably bad clock management decisions from Sean Payton there in the 4th quarter
— David Howman (@_DH44_) December 20, 2024
Number 11:
Nobody wants to talk about the awful clock management by Sean Payton in the 1st half. All he had to do was run the ball. The Chargers were gonna let it go to half. We would have been up 2 scores. He also didn’t run the ball in the 2nd half. https://t.co/exmaWchcZl
— CJ Jester (@NixforSix2) December 20, 2024
Number 10:
Sean Payton needs the clock management assistant they hired for Nathaniel Hackett
— Tully’s Tender Kiss (@pextoots) December 20, 2024
Number 9:
Sean Payton being an extremely outdated coach showed this game.
— RHare (@kidyungn) December 20, 2024
Go for the kill, not the clock management. Absolutely PATHETIC performance by Denver Broncos coaches and players.
Exactly why we will never be shit.
Number 8:
Sean Payton killed all of the momentum with his boneheaded clock management before halftime.
— Mike Smith (@bladeoffire1) December 20, 2024
Number 7:
Yeah my Sean Payton hatred is back in full fucking force just a monumental choke to the fucking Chargers.
— Denver Fanatic (@FanaticDenver) December 20, 2024
Number 6:
The Sean Payton special. Talk a big game and choke when it matters.
— Denver Fanatic (@FanaticDenver) December 20, 2024
Number 5:
Sean Payton can take all the blame for this one. Piss poor decision making and terrible play calling the second half.
— Mile High Salute (@salutemilehigh) December 20, 2024
Number 4:
Sean Payton's play calling is killing this offense and holding back Bo. Great play calls in the first half. HORRIBLE in the 2nd half. Calling 2 yard pass plays isn't going to get it done. Dont blame Bo, he isn't calling the plays.
— Michael Jones (@mgf0263) December 20, 2024
Number 3:
Sean Payton 2nd half game plan and game management were horrible. Defense couldn't get stop, and he decides to punt. He has to take the majority blame for this loss. Then, blame Vance for his gameplan completely.
— Omi (@Rozzay88) December 20, 2024
Number 2:
I blame this whole game on Sean Payton, calling a conservative second half like a fucking idiot
— Cam (@CamClears) December 20, 2024
Number 1:
Really hope someone in the Denver media has the fucking balls to call out the lack of discipline and horrible clock management by Sean Payton. But we know nobody will.
— Miggy Rye (@MiggyRye) December 20, 2024
