Rookie Bo Nix stands up to Sean Payton and stakes his claim as the leader of the red-hot Broncos

DENVER (AP) — Rookie Bo Nix did something Russell Wilson never did last year, hollering back at Sean Payton as he erupted over his quarterback going off-script.

The sideline interaction came as the Broncos' offense retreated to the sideline after an open Tony Franklin dropped a deep pass in the end zone in the third quarter of Denver's 34-18 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Payton said Nix flipped the play call and he wasn't happy about it. When Nix came off the field, he laid into him — and Nix clapped right back.

“There is still a little bit of Ferris Bueller in him we are trying to get rid of,” Payton said afterward. “I love him to death. And sometimes (what you saw) is my love language.”

Funny he called it that, because Nix refused to relay what all the animated discussion entailed.

“He turned and looked at me and said, ‘I love you,’” Nix joked, “and I said, ‘I love you’ back.”

As for the Ferris Bueller reference, Nix said, “Yeah, I have watched the movie. Literally, I think it explains the situation. We were out there with intensity and fire.”

Who was right and who was wrong didn't matter. What Nix did was cement himself as a leader, one who showed why there's a “C” on his jersey as a rookie who earned his teammates' trust.

Tight end Adam Trautman, who saw plenty of heated interactions between Payton and Drew Brees while they were all with the Saints, said players respect a quarterback who's just as passionate as the coach.

“They are two very competitive people and they love each other, love working with each other. So, it's not like a problem at all. It's a very good thing,” Trautman said. “I think it is a good thing when your quarterback shows up and is fiery and all that type of stuff.

“That's what you want to play for as a player and that's who you want to step in the huddle with. I mean, it is what it is, whatever happened on the sideline. But I can stay we as players absolutely respect that type of stuff.”

On the broadcast, Fox analyst Daryl Johnston said, “Words of advice from Drew Brees: Sean Payton is going to be demanding of you. You have to be demanding right back. There's part of that relationship. And let me tell you, you have to have respect. You're going to have these things happen during the course of a game. When you step between the white lines and you're competitive, sometimes you're going to have tempers flare a little bit.

“But these two will be in lockstep moving forward. I think that's a great example of what Drew Brees was talking about.”

After the sideline squabble, Nix was surgically efficient in driving Denver to a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, sneaking in from the 1 and finding Josh Reynolds with a 9-yard dart.

The entire episode was so different from the time last season when Wilson ad-libbed during a 42-17 loss at Detroit and Payton chewed him out on the sideline. Wilson just stood there and didn't talk back. (He'd only start one more game for Denver before being benched in a prelude to his offseason release.)

Payton said Monday he likes having a quarterback in Nix who will stand up for himself.

“Absolutely. Absolutely. All good,” Payton said. “It's the heat of the moment, it's the game, it's competitive and he's fiery. Look, we're in the business of passion. We're looking for passion and we're looking for people with passion for the game, not other things. And I think that it's so important to him.

“And so again, I loved his response and we're on to the next play and it's nothing.”

What’s working

Thanks to Patrick Surtain II's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, the Broncos scored more points than they had since Week 14 of the 2021 season against Detroit (38).

What needs help

The Broncos were 3 for 12 on third down compared to the Raiders' 7-for-15 clip. Three takeaways by Denver to zero by Las Vegas ensured that third downs were a secondary concern, but the Broncos need to improve in that area on both sides of the ball.

Stock up

A week after he made his first NFL start and sacked Aaron Rodgers on the first snap, ILB Justin Strnad led the Broncos with nine tackles Sunday, including seven solo.

Stock down

TE Greg Dulich was a healthy scratch with just five catches for 28 yards this season.

Injuries

The injury bug has hit the offensive line. C Matt Wattenberg left in the fourth quarter with an unspecified injury after Nix scored on a sneak from the 1. Alex Forsyth replaced him. Earlier in the second half, RT Alex Palczewski (ankle) was replaced by Matt Peart. Palczewski has been starting in place of Mike McGlinchey (knee), who will miss another week on injured reserve.

Key numbers

11 — The number of players who caught a pass Sunday, a franchise record.

6 of 8 — Denver's red-zone success during its three-game winning streak, excluding Sunday's kneel-downs.

Next steps

The Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers with the chance to move two games above .500 for the first time since Oct. 3, 2021, a span of 52 games.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Arnie Stapleton, The Associated Press