Coach Sean Payton accepts blame for the botched field goal that cost the Broncos a big win at KC

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Sean Payton doesn't want Alex Forsyth catching all the flack for getting bulldozed by a wave of Kansas City defenders and allowing linebacker Leo Chenal to block Wil Lutz's game-winning, chip-shot field-goal attempt.

“This isn’t on the player," Payton insisted Monday. “This is on all of us. This is on us as coaches. We’ve got to continue to look at, ‘Hey, are we big enough stature-wise there for that?’ And understanding how the rush was coming. It’s disappointing, and yet it’s not something that’s new when a big play is made at the end of the game.”

It was difficult for the Broncos (5-5) to find solace in standing toe to toe with the unbeaten Chiefs for 59:59 Sunday after Chenal and several of his teammates burst through the left side of Denver's field goal protection unit to seal Kansas City's 16-14 escape and deny Denver its biggest win in nearly a decade.

“I read all the comments afterward," Payton said, “and I think that it’s tough to lose a game that way.”

The Chiefs (9-0) said after the game they had identified a vulnerability in Denver's protection alignment Sunday.

“The guy who I was rushing, he was kind of light on his toes a little bit," Chenal told Pro Football Talk.

The Chiefs' block unit penetrated the left side of Denver's protection line and nearly got their hands on Lutz's extra point following Denver's second touchdown. They nearly got there again on Lutz's 60-yard field-goal attempt that fell short just before halftime.

“We’re constantly each week making corrections," Payton said. “Not just with the field-goal unit, (but) with the offense, with a certain protection and with a certain coverage. When something like that happens ... it’s pretty common for the team that had success with it to say, ‘Hey we saw ...’ Credit them for that. They exploited an area that we obviously felt was fixed and stronger, but not fixed enough."

Now, Payton has to see to it that the gut-wrenching loss doesn't ruin the Broncos' season. Even at 5-5, they're still sitting in the seventh and final playoff position in the AFC.

In his postgame news conference, Payton said the sting of this loss would linger, but on Monday he had changed his tone.

“The sky is not falling," Payton said. “There’s a lot ahead obviously. We have (seven) games left. I think this team has been resilient. The sky isn’t falling relative to our season and the schedule. We’re sitting here at 5-5. Obviously we’d have loved to have been 6-4 with a win yesterday, but the focus is just quickly to the next game.”

Payton trusts his leaders in the locker room.

“I like the leadership on this team. It’s an entirely different team than a year ago. It’s tough — it’s tough mentally and physically,” Payton said. "Overcoming a tough loss … listen, when you talk to the players about that, you tell them, ‘Hey, that’s going to happen periodically in your career.’ You hope that you have a few of those games that maybe you thought that you didn’t deserve to win that you did win.

"You have to bounce back either way.”

The offense is coming together with Bo Nix getting better by the week and Payton injecting more and more creativity as his rookie quarterback shows signs of growth. Sunday's wrinkles included speedy returner/receiver Marvin Mims Jr. lining up in the backfield for hand-offs and the introduction of rookie Audric Estime as Denver's lead running back.

Closing out games. The first 59:59 showed just how close the Broncos are to competing with the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. The last second showed just how far they are from actually getting there.

Nix. He outplayed Patrick Mahomes and did a terrific job in the final 5:37, converting a trio of third downs and assuring that Mahomes wouldn't get his hands on the ball again after the Chiefs had taken their first lead of the game. The one thing Nix couldn't do was assure that Chenal wouldn't get his hands on the ball at the end.

Special teams coach Ben Kotwica's unit had been lights-out this season. But Sunday's failure was gargantuan and could define the season, especially if the Broncos fall short of the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season. The Broncos are in the hunt with the Bengals and Colts for the seventh seed at the moment and they have both of those teams remaining on their schedule.

The Broncos activated C Luke Wattenberg from injured reserve Saturday.

1-13 — The Broncos' record against Patrick Mahomes, whom they sacked four times and held to a single touchdown throw Sunday.

The Broncos host the Atlanta Falcons (6-4) Sunday.

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

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, left, and Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talk following an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 16-14. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix pauses during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 16-14. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 16-14. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 16-14. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Coach Sean Payton accepts blame for the botched field goal that cost the Broncos a big win at KC

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz (3) chases after the ball after his last-second field goal attempt was blocked during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 16-14. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Coach Sean Payton accepts blame for the botched field goal that cost the Broncos a big win at KC

Since 2002, foster parents Mrs Ip and her husband have opened their hearts and home to nine foster children, including the two currently under their care. Many of these children have special needs, but for Mrs Ip, fostering is more than just a career, it is a calling.

Screenshot from news.gov.hk.

“When children feel that you treasure them, they will treasure you in return. I wish them all a happy ever after, and I will take care of them. I will not leave them.”

Mrs Ip cherishes every memory of her foster children, carefully keeping thank you cards and student handbooks as mementos of their time together. Reflecting on her journey, she shared: “Most of the foster children were raised by me since they were just babies. It is hard to let them go. Watching them improve brings me great joy. Helping them become healthier and learn is truly fulfilling. This is a vocation.”

Unforgettable moments

Mrs Ip recounted both the joys and challenges of fostering, in particular, a special two-month-old baby girl.

“As soon as I started caring for her, I realised she was experiencing severe asthma at night. Despite multiple consultations with a paediatrician and several hospital visits, her condition did not improve. Eventually, after discussing with a social worker, further examinations revealed the baby had a lung disease.

“It was difficult, but the process taught me so much about perseverance and love,” Mrs Ip said.

She also shared the story of a baby boy she cared for since he was less than a month old. Now 17, the boy has moved into a hostel but still visits frequently.

“He comes back for a ‘staycation’ every week. He loves the room I reserved for him, filled with his favourite cartoons. He always says he will take care of us in the future, which makes us so happy.”

Screenshot from news.gov.hk.

Positive impact

Fostering has not only impacted the lives of the children Mrs Ip has cared for but also her own family. Her husband and two sons have played an important role in supporting her journey.

“My sons treasure the foster children. When they go out, they walk hand in hand, just like elder brothers. I have been able to foster for so long thanks to their support.”

Her youngest son has even chosen a career in special education, a path Mrs Ip believes may have been influenced by their fostering experiences.         

Fostering incentive

Foster care services in Hong Kong are provided by 11 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) overseen by the Social Welfare Department’s (SWD) Central Foster Care Unit.

To encourage more people to become foster parents, the SWD nearly doubled the incentive payment for foster families in April. This led to a 35% increase in fostering enquiries from April to November compared to the same period last year. By the end of November, over 1,000 registered foster families were providing care for children in need.

According to Central Foster Care Unit Officer-in-charge Tsung Ka-yee, anyone who is healthy, committed to providing love and time for foster children, and can offer a safe living environment may apply to become a foster parent.

“Any adult, regardless of their sex, marital or employment status, can apply. Applicants must complete a home suitability assessment and pre-service training to ensure they are prepared to provide proper care.”

Foster homes must meet specific safety requirements, such as installing window grilles or safety devices for balconies. They must also provide adequate living space, including separate beds and activity areas for the children.

Support network: Foster parent Mrs Ip acknowledges that without her family’s support, it would have been difficult for her to serve as a foster parent for 22 years. Source from news.gov.hk

Tailored support

Foster parents receive a monthly incentive payment based on the type of service they provide, with additional payments for caring for children with special needs or those under the age of six. 

To support foster families, the Central Foster Care Unit and 11 Foster Care Agencies offer professional assistance. Social workers conduct regular home visits, interviews, and phone check-ins to monitor the children’s adjustment and provide guidance to foster parents. For children with special educational needs, social workers also offer tailored advice, parenting support and psychological consultation services, ensuring the well-being of both the children and their caregivers.

Full assistance: Central Foster Care Unit Officer-in-charge Tsung Ka-yee says social workers regularly contact foster families to monitor the children’s adjustment and provide appropriate support. Source from news.gov.hk