ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Another day, another situation.
As Head Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday, there are hundreds of situations that can pop up at the end of a half or game — and the Broncos continue to prepare for the various scenarios in which they could find themselves.
"So many of these games are won and lost [via situational football]," Payton said. "It's a three-hour game. [If you're] in a unique situation and if you handle it correctly, you give yourself a chance — and if you don't, then you end up probably on the losing end of some of those."
On Wednesday, Denver's offense took over at their own 41-yard line with 1:12 to play in the game and no timeouts. Trailing by three, the initial goal was to earn a tying field goal — and both offensive units that received reps found success.
As quarterback Bo Nix led the first attempt, he converted a third-and-7 to wide receiver Tim Patrick to push the ball into the defense's territory. Then, Nix fired an 18-yard completion to wide receiver Courtland Sutton to move the ball into field-goal range with 16 seconds to play. After a quick attempt into the end zone, kicker Wil Lutz trotted on and knocked in a 43-yard field goal.
Quarterback Jarrett Stidham found similar success in his chance, as he opened with a pair of completions — including one to rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele — to move the ball to the edge of field-goal range. Stidham then launched a deep pass to Vele that resulted in a 34-yard gain and pushed Denver to the 5-yard line. At that point, as Payton explained after practice, the goal of the drive changed.
"Our goal there was field goal," Payton said. "Our goal here was field goal and both of those groups all of a sudden got within range with enough time, and now I'm recalibrating how do we score possibly and avoid overtime."
Denver's defense, though, held strong from the 5-yard line to force multiple incompletions and send the field-goal unit out for the tying attempt.
The work extends to the meeting room, as well. Payton said he recently showed his team clips of fourth-and-short plays — and he emphasized the importance of being ready for those situations.
"Some of these situations are going to come up five times in a year," Payton said. "Some of them might come up once in five years."
QUICK HITS
… In addition to Vele's catch in the end-of-game scenario, he also made two deep receptions in one-on-one work. On the second grab, Vele elevated to make the catch over the defender in coverage.
He also had multiple catches in earlier team-period action.
"He's smart," Payton said of Vele. "He's a little older. I would say, you don't necessarily feel a rookie, and I say that just respectfully. He's a little older than most in his class. I like his transition and his body control for someone who's [six-foot]. Now, he's low-cut, and that helps him. Leggy receivers have a little bit more challenge, but he's a little bit more torso build, and that allows him to transition a little better. He put some good tape out there and continues to improve."
… Rookie inside linebacker Levelle Bailey made a pair of impressive plays in one-on-one work as he notched two interceptions in quick succession. On one of the plays, Bailey undercut the receiver to snag a one-handed pick.
… Payton said several players who did not play against the Colts would see action against Green Bay, including cornerback Pat Surtain II.
Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto and inside linebacker Justin Strnad were among the Broncos to return to practice on Wednesday. Tight end Lucas Krull did not practice, but Payton said he "should be fine" with a toe injury. Cornerback Art Green suffered a concussion against the Colts and is not likely to play this weekend against Green Bay.
