The Denver Broncos remain a Jekyll and Hyde team, starting slow before finding itself in the second half.
On Sunday night, in a 30-26 win over the Los Angeles Rams, Sean Payton's squad was shut out in the first half, down 16-0, as the home fans showered them with boos after the slow start, particularly on offense.
Then, things kicked into gear in a 30-point second half, which included three touchdown drives and a pick-six from safety Talanoa Hufanga.
After the game, Payton seemed more relieved than thrilled about the comeback win. He'd rather not have to climb that mountain every week.
"I'm comfortable with the grit of a team that can play well in the fourth quarter," the coach said. "I'm uncomfortable with how we play at the start of games, if that's a fair answer. I'm comfortable with, this is a team that can -- because our games, you're going to be in tight games, but as the head coach, you can't possibly be comfortable with the way the first half unfolds."
In four first-half drives, the Broncos went three-and-out twice, generated five total first downs and missed a field goal. They started the second half with another three-and-out before back-to-back touchdown drives and two two-point conversions tied the contest.
The outcome mirrored last week's win against Jacksonville, with Denver digging itself into a 13-3 hole before climbing to victory.
While winning close games is part of every good NFL team's makeup, Payton knows that getting down double digits will come back to bite his club if it persists.
"I'm pleased with how we responded, but it'll cost us in bigger games," he said. "I just believe that against teams that are playing better later in the season and I'm talking about ourselves, whoever it is, it'll be something we'll be frustrated about later if we can't clean it up."
Over the past two seasons, Bo Nix has helped earn seven fourth-quarter comebacks and nine game-winning drives, both most in the NFL over that span, per NFL Research.
