Undisciplined Play Haunts the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, where games are often decided by margins of a single score, undisciplined play—costly penalties, unforced turnovers, and mental lapses—can turn a potential win into a crushing loss. For the Denver Broncos, this issue has plagued the franchise in recent seasons, undermining talented rosters, derailing playoff hopes, and testing the patience of coaches and fans alike. Undisciplined Play Haunts the Denver Broncos isn’t just a critique of individual mistakes; it’s a look at how consistent lapses in focus and discipline have become a recurring pattern, eroding the team’s ability to compete at the highest level. From unnecessary roughness calls that extend opponents’ drives to turnovers in the red zone that squander scoring chances, these errors have become a defining obstacle for the Broncos in their quest to return to contention.

Undisciplined Play Haunts the Denver Broncos is most evident in the team’s struggles with penalties, which have ranked among the league’s worst in multiple recent seasons. During the 2024 campaign, the Broncos committed an average of 7.8 penalties per game, totaling 68 yards per contest—ranking them 26th in the NFL in both categories. These penalties weren’t just minor infractions; they were game-altering mistakes that directly cost the team wins. A prime example came in Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs: with the Broncos leading 21–17 in the fourth quarter, defensive end Nik Bonitto was called for unnecessary roughness after a play, extending a Chiefs’ drive that eventually ended with a game-winning touchdown. Later in the season, in a Week 15 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Broncos’ offensive line committed three holding penalties in the red zone, turning promising scoring chances into field goal attempts (and one missed field goal). “Penalties are a symptom of a lack of discipline,” said Broncos head coach Sean Payton after the Week 15 loss. “When you’re committing 10 penalties a game, you’re not just giving away yards—you’re giving away momentum, confidence, and ultimately, games. It’s a problem we’ve talked about, but talking isn’t enough. We need to fix it.”

Undisciplined Play Haunts the Denver Broncos also manifests in unforced turnovers, which have sabotaged the team’s offensive efficiency in key moments. Quarterback Russell Wilson, despite his veteran experience, has struggled with costly interceptions in recent seasons—many of which came on ill-advised throws into tight coverage. During the 2023 season, Wilson threw 15 interceptions, with 10 of them coming in the red zone or in the fourth quarter of close games. One particularly damaging turnover occurred in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers: with the Broncos trailing 24–21 and driving for a potential game-tying or game-winning score, Wilson threw a interception in the end zone, sealing the loss. Running backs haven’t been immune either; in 2024, Broncos running backs fumbled 7 times, losing 4 of them—including a fumble by Javonte Williams in the final two minutes of a Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, which allowed the Chargers to run out the clock and secure a 19–16 win. “Turnovers are the most preventable form of undisciplined play,” said Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. “They’re not about talent—they’re about focus, ball security, and making smart decisions. When you turn the ball over in critical moments, you’re handing the game to the opponent.”

Undisciplined Play Haunts the Denver Broncos has also been a problem on special teams, where mental lapses have led to missed opportunities and costly mistakes. In 2024, the Broncos’ special teams unit committed 14 penalties, including 5 offside calls on kickoffs and 3 illegal formation penalties on punts. One of the most damaging special teams errors came in Week 3 against the New York Jets: a Broncos punt returner fumbled the ball deep in his own territory, setting up a Jets touchdown that gave New York a 14–7 lead they never relinquished. Later in the season, in Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns, the Broncos’ kickoff team was called for offside twice in the same drive, extending a Browns’ possession that ended with a field goal to take a 10–7 lead. The Denver Broncos’ special teams coordinator, Mike Mallory, acknowledged the issue after the season: “Special teams is all about discipline—lining up correctly, timing your jumps, holding onto the ball. When we make these mistakes, it’s a disservice to the rest of the team. We’ve spent extra time in practice working on fundamentals, but we need to translate that to game day.”

Undisciplined Play Haunts the Denver Broncos has roots in a combination of factors, including inexperience in key positions, inconsistent coaching messages, and a lack of accountability. In recent seasons, the Broncos have relied heavily on young players—many of whom are in their first or second NFL seasons—in critical roles, from offensive line to secondary. These young players, while talented, often lack the situational awareness to avoid costly mistakes, such as committing a penalty when the team is leading late in the game. The Denver Broncos have also gone through coaching changes in recent years, which has led to inconsistent messaging about discipline and fundamentals. When a new coaching staff arrives, it takes time to implement new standards, and in the interim, players may revert to bad habits. Additionally, some analysts have pointed to a lack of accountability; in the past, the Broncos have not always benched or disciplined players for repeated undisciplined mistakes, sending a message that such errors are acceptable. “Discipline starts at the top,” said former Broncos linebacker and NFL analyst Karl Mecklenburg. “If players know there are no consequences for committing 10 penalties a game or throwing interceptions in the red zone, they’re not going to change their behavior. The Broncos need to set clear standards and hold everyone—veterans and rookies alike—accountable.”

Undisciplined Play Haunts the Denver Broncos is a problem that the team has vowed to address in the 2025 season, with Payton and his staff implementing new measures to improve focus and reduce mistakes. These measures include extra practice time devoted to fundamentals (such as proper tackling, ball security, and lining up correctly), film sessions that highlight the impact of undisciplined plays, and a more rigorous accountability system—including benching players for repeated errors. The Denver Broncos have also brought in veteran leaders, such as defensive tackle D.J. Jones and safety Justin Simmons, to set an example for younger players and reinforce the importance of discipline. “We know discipline is the difference between winning and losing in this league,” Payton said during the 2025 off-season. “It’s not a talent issue—it’s a focus issue. We’re going to work tirelessly to make sure undisciplined play is no longer a hallmark of this team.” For the Broncos, fixing this issue isn’t just about winning more games; it’s about rebuilding the culture of excellence that defined the franchise during its Super Bowl-winning eras. In the end, Undisciplined Play Haunts the Denver Broncos is a challenge that the team must overcome if it wants to return to the top of the AFC West—and to the playoffs. The talent is there; the question is whether the Broncos can finally master the discipline needed to turn that talent into wins.