Sean Payton calls loss to Chiefs a "slap in the face"

After Monday night’s 31-10 loss to the Chiefs, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix called the experience a “nasty wakeup call.” Coach Sean Payton had a different term for it on Tuesday.

“Certainly a slap in the face,” Payton told reporters. “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 us as coaches, myself. So yes, it’s disappointing. That would be a great way to describe it.”

A loss in Week 1 — especially to a division rival — has to be difficult to stomach. For months, it’s officially been the next game. There’s been extra time to prepare. And to basically serve up a no-show makes it even worse.

Especially for a team that won the top seed in the conference last year, and that hopes to take it to the next level with a Super Bowl appearance.

There’s no time to sulk, however. The Jaguars, who ended Denver’s 11-game winning streak last December, are up next. Then the Rams. Then the 49ers. Then the Chargers. Then the Seahawks.

Denver lost only three games in 2025. They could match that number by Week 6.

If they play like they did last night, they’ll beat it.