ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — After falling short in two consecutive one-score games, the Broncos' next two opportunities could help define their season.
"It's not a make or break, but we're going to have a better idea of where this team is going to be after these next two weeks," Head Coach Sean Payton said Monday.
The Broncos are facing two road matchups — and an extended stay in the Eastern time zone— and they're hopeful a change of pace can help galvanize the team and lead to success.
Denver will travel to Tampa Bay in Week 3 and New York in Week 4, making a stop in West Virginia to train for a week between the two games. The trip will allow the team to spend a full week together, and defensive end Zach Allen said that him and several of his teammates are eager to embrace the opportunity.
"It will be a lot of fun to just be with the guys for a full week," Allen said. "… We're all looking forward to it."
Payton noted the two upcoming games could present a key opportunity for his players to get on the same page and begin to turn the tide on the season.
"We are going to find out quickly," Payton said Sunday. "They are both good teams."
Payton knows the benefit of an extended road stretch, having gone on a similar two-week trip as the Saints' head coach in 2017. After beginning the season 0-2, New Orleans traveled to play Carolina in Week 3 before heading straight to London to face Miami in Week 4. Not only did the team come away from the trip with two wins, including a commanding 20-0 shutout over the Dolphins, but New Orleans went on to win six more consecutive games following their return.
As Payton reflected on the opportunity that lies ahead for Denver, he couldn't help but think of that trip back in 2017.
"There was a little bit of déjà vu," Payton said. "This week sets up a little like that."
While Payton believes the two-week trip will be beneficial for the team, noting that the time spent together "can work as a positive," he stressed the importance of ongoing internal evaluation to determine how Denver can be more efficient moving forward this season.
"There's still no way around it," Payton said. "We've got to look right into the teeth of this and get better quickly."
In 2023, the Broncos recovered from a 1-5 start to win five consecutive games and hold a 7-6 record late in the year. Payton said there are lessons in "knowing how to win certain games, especially close games," and the Broncos will look inward to try to find that resilient effort again in 2024.
For wide receiver Courtland Sutton, this means looking around the locker room and trusting the Broncos have the tools they need to get back on track.
"It's on us," Sutton said Sunday. "… Once the roster got made, this is us. This is all we have, [and] this is all we need. We know that we have what we need in this locker room, and we will get it figured out."
Denver's road trip could be a good place to start, and guard Quinn Meinerz said it will be important for the Broncos to take advantage of the key opportunity.
"We need to be together and take advantage of this trip as best we can," Meinerz said Sunday.
DENVER'S DEEFENSE CONTINUES TO BUILD OFF QUICK START
Denver's defense started the season on a high note in Week 1, recording an interception and two safeties within the first 30 minutes of play. And while the defense did not produce any takeaways in Sunday's loss, another strong performance indicated that the unit is continuing to build positive momentum. Denver applied consistent pressure that ultimately limited the Steelers' offense to just 13 points, including three points in the second half.
"I think it's really encouraging that we're able to play really good football," defensive end Zach Allen said. "… This year we're really taking pride in playing good defense every single down, and we're a lot deeper than we were last year."
Allen played a significant role in the unit's success on Sunday, finishing the game with a career-high eight pressures and a sack on 28 pass rushes, according to Next Gen Stats.
As Denver's defense looks to continue stacking strong performances moving forward, Allen said the main point of focus will be playing "a full 60 minutes" at a high level.
"We're working there, and we've got a really good group and good group of coaches," he said. "I have full faith that we're going to get there."
Payton did note the Broncos' need to improve against the run. Pittsburgh tallied 95 first-half rushing yards and 141 rushing yards over the course of Sunday's game.
"The concerning thing for me is the rushing game and then the rushing numbers defensively," Payton said. "Those have to switch, or you're just going to be playing behind the eight ball."
