December 14th 2024.
Adam Trautman has been under the tutelage of coach Sean Payton for quite some time now, and he knows firsthand the meticulous planning that goes into every game. However, when the team enters the red zone during practice, Trautman notices a heightened level of focus from Payton.
According to Trautman, the red zone period is the most detailed and dedicated part of practice. The team spends the entire period perfecting their routes, knowing that scoring touchdowns in the red zone is crucial for winning games. Giving away points in this area can often be the deciding factor in close matchups.
Last year, Payton was visibly frustrated with Denver's struggles in the red zone and goal-to-go situations. And for good reason - the team only scored a touchdown on 50.85% of their red zone trips and had a conversion rate of 53.33% on goal-to-go opportunities. This was evident in a Week 15 loss to Detroit, where Payton's biggest outburst of the season came after a failed attempt to score on a goal-to-go situation.
But this season, Denver has made significant improvements in their red zone production, which has helped them stay in the playoff race with just four weeks left in the regular season. When asked about the team's offensive progress in his second season with Denver, Payton cited their improved performance on third downs and in the red zone as standout areas.
In fact, in 13 games, the Broncos have scored 25 touchdowns on 44 attempts and have a success rate of 17 for 21 on goal-to-go opportunities. This is a significant improvement from the first four games of the season, where the team only went 4 for 12 in the red zone and 2 for 4 on goal-to-go situations. These early struggles were a reflection of the inconsistencies that plagued the offense in 2023.
However, as the season progressed, the Broncos found their rhythm. Between Weeks 5-8, they were 11 for 14 in the red zone and a perfect 9 for 9 on goal-to-go situations. And over the past five games, they have gone 10 for 18 in the red zone and 6 for 8 on goal-to-go. This improvement can be attributed to quarterback Bo Nix's development, as he has become more efficient in the red zone, throwing for 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions since Week 4.
During practices, Payton is fully invested in the red zone period, making sure that every player is on the same page. He is hands-on in ensuring that the routes, timing, and spacing are precise. The team also gets plenty of reps during this period, and they even have extra meetings to review red zone tape.
The Broncos' success in the red zone is a testament to their hard work and dedication, as well as the maturation of Bo Nix. As Payton put it, "We gotta keep it going." So far, their improved red zone performance has helped them stay in the playoff race, but they know they can't become complacent. They are playing to win now, not just to develop for the future. And with the help of Payton's meticulous game planning, the Broncos are confident in their ability to continue scoring touchdowns in the red zone and clinch a playoff spot.
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