On Sunday, the Denver Broncos secured their first home win of the season, defeating the Green Bay Packers, 19-17. Safety P.J. Locke’s game-sealing interception of Jordan Love turned the ‘GO-PACK-GO’ chants into ‘GO-BACK-HOME’ as the shocking sea of green and yellow jerseys filed out of Empower Field at Mile High.

 

The Broncos avoided what would’ve been their first 0-4 home start to a season in team history, saving themselves more embarrassment. When it comes to NFL.com’s power rankings, Sunday’s win bumped Denver up one spot, and at this point, baby steps are all Broncos Country can ask for.

 

Despite the victory, Sean Payton wasn’t satisfied. Eric Edholm has an idea of why Payton isn’t as excited as he should be.

 

Broncos Rank: 27

 

When I heard Sean Payton asking rhetorically Monday, “Why can’t I be happy?” following the Broncos’ rousing win, I just got sad. The Broncos went from giving up 70 to Miami to turning in back-to-back strong defensive showings, and this is where Payton’s head is. I suspect it has something to do with the limitations of his team’s passing game, but it might also continue with the four-game suspension for Kareem Jackson for multiple violations of unnecessary roughness rules. With the overall defensive improvement — more Drew Sanders, please! — and the effective RB duo of Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, there are far more things to smile about than there were a few weeks ago. Cheer up, coach!