Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos lost 10-7 to the New England Patriots in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game and failed Super Bowl for the first time in seven years. One particular player savored the result more than most, however.
As the teams were returning to the locker rooms, defensive tackle Milton Williams, one of the Patriots’ biggest offseason acquisitions with a $104-million contract over four years, was heard shouting:
“No. 1 offensive line can kiss my a**.”
Milton Williams walked through the tunnel and said, “No. 1 offensive line can kiss my ass.”
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At the end of the season, Pro Football Focus had ranked the Broncos’ offensive line, bannered by first-team All-Pros/Pro Bowlers Garrett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz, first overall after allowing a league-low six sacks in the regular season. In fact, they were the only unit that did not allow double-digit sacks.
However, they did not play like that without Bo Nix, allowing three sacks and multiple pressures on backup Jarrett Stidham, including one on a failed 4th-and-1 pass in the second quarter.
The Patriots themselves allowed five sacks on Drake Maye, who covered only 86 yards on a measly ten completions and did not throw a touchdown. However, they proved better on the ground, facilitating 141 rushing yards. Maye accounted for 65 of them and had a touchdown as well.
Sean Payton reveals what he told Broncos inside locker room after AFCCG loss vs. Patriots
While the Patriots were in celebration mode, Sean Payton looked dejected, having suffered his third loss in four career conference title game appearances.
Speaking to CBS sideline reporter Evan Washburn after the game, he relayed the message that he gave to the locker room:
“It’s hard when you get to this game, and man I can’t tell you anything that’s going to change how you feel right now. We’re proud of them. They played hard. Wasn’t good enough today. Wasn’t good enough by us, myself. This is probably one of the closer teams that I’ve coached. You tell them you love them, and that’s about it.”The Broncos will now look ahead to the offseason, which officially begins on March 11 with the new league year.
