'Slap in the face': Broncos HC Sean Payton offers candid assessment of Week 1 loss to Chiefs

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix deemed their Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs "a nasty wake-up call." Head coach Sean Payton used a different term when discussing the 31-10 beatdown.

Sean Payton discusses loss to Chiefs 

"Certainly a slap in the face," Payton said Tuesday (h/t Field Level Media). "When you come off training camp and your offseason program, it's one thing to lose in a hard-fought game where you feel like you played well. I don't feel like we played up to our standard, and certainly that starts with coaches, myself. So, yes, it's disappointing. That would be a great way to describe it."

Adding to the disappointment was new offensive coordinator Davis Webb flopping in his debut as a play-caller. The Broncos logged 176 yards on 47 plays (3.7 yards per play, well below league average) and committed two turnovers (an interception and a fumble by Nix). The Chiefs, meanwhile, had 392 yards on 67 plays (5.9 yards per play) and committed one turnover (an interception by QB Patrick Mahomes). 

Payton didn't say he's resuming play-calling duties in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) at home (CBS, 4:05 p.m. ET), but the Super Bowl-winning coach made it apparent he would give Webb failing marks in Week 1. 

"Our run-pass ratio was skewed off," Payton said. "As that unfolds, you get into where you're throwing the ball, then it becomes more challenging. The way that game unfolded, all of a sudden there were a number of series where you felt one-dimensional. I think that added to the problem."

The Broncos (0-1) attempted 28 passes and 15 runs against the Chiefs (1-0). Webb must balance that ratio in Week 2. 

Payton said he'll give his staff "an honest day" to discuss the "Monday Night Football" disaster. The coach may pull no punches in that meeting, as he did on Tuesday.