In this week’s Broncos Mailbag, readers have questions about Denver’s suddenly sagging defense, why Los Angeles had so much success getting receivers open in the middle of the field

After the Denver Broncos failed to clinch a playoff spot by losing to the Los Angeles Chargers, Sean Payton commented about his team's running game falling off in the second half. But he only has himself to blame for it.

The Broncos’ efforts were undoubtedly hurt by the end-of-half sequence in which Payton turned the aggressive meter to 11, leading to a punt, penalty and 57-yard free kick field goal to turn a two-score lead into a 21-13 advantage.

Zack Kelberman is the Senior Editor for Mile High Huddle. He has covered the NFL for more than a decade and the Denver Broncos since 2016. He's also the co-host of the wildly popular Broncos show the Mile High Huddle Podcast.

That was some strange football chess that unfolded last week in the Kroenke Dome, assisting the Los Angeles Chargers against the Denver Broncos. By now the football world knows how the first half ended.

The margin of error is slim for the Denver Broncos with just two games remaining. In order to make the playoffs, Head Coach Sean Payton must look inward and rise to the occasion.

Television cameras showed in the first quarter head coach Sean Payton’s call sheet, which read, “RUN IT!!!” Payton didn’t deny the Broncos sought to emphasize the run in the 34-27 loss and that they got away from it in the second half.

Denver’s playoff hopes took a hit after a frustrating loss to the Chargers, with head coach Sean Payton’s postgame comments drawing sharp criticism.

On a blistering cold Christmas Eve in 2023, the Broncos attempted to keep their playoff hopes alive New England Patriots when Sean Payton got carried away. Denver’s head coach was ultra-aggressive during the final stages of the game,