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

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton offered candid remarks that bode well for one of the team's young players.

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.

Former Broncos players Tyler Polumbus and Nate Jackson have criticized coach Sean Payton following the Broncos’ loss to the Chargers.

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.

Facing 4th-and-6 right near midfield down by 3 points with 4:35 remaining in the game, Broncos coach Sean Payton opted to punt.

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.