Dobbins Credits Sean Payton After Season-High Workload

J.K. Dobbins believes his relationship with Sean Payton helped him receive more opportunities in Sunday's victory over his former team.

The Denver Broncos running back credited his head coach after carrying the ball a season-high 18 times for 68 yards and a touchdown in Denver's 23-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Payton returned to calling offensive plays Sunday after handing those duties to offensive coordinator Davis Webb for the first four games.

For Dobbins, the change appeared to make a difference.

"Coach Sean Payton knows me well," Dobbins said after the game, according to Heavy.

"He knows me very well. He knows me well and I know him well. You can see the chemistry between us and the team, the offense. So that's what was different. I just got the opportunities."

Those opportunities were far more plentiful than they were during Denver's first four games.

Dobbins entered Sunday's matchup averaging 11.5 carries per game. He received 18 against Los Angeles, while fellow running back RJ Harvey finished with just three carries for seven yards.

Dobbins made an early impact, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to give Denver a 7-0 lead.

It was his first touchdown since Week 5 of the 2025 season.

The veteran running back also played an important role in helping Denver protect its lead late in the fourth quarter.

After the Broncos took a 20-17 advantage, Dobbins received four consecutive carries and gained 26 yards on Denver's final possession.

Those runs helped set up Wil Lutz's 36-yard field goal, which extended the lead to six points with 1:08 remaining.

The Broncos' official postgame report noted that Dobbins averaged 6.8 yards per carry on six fourth-quarter attempts.

He also had two runs of at least 10 yards during the final period.

Denver finished with season highs of 29 rushing attempts and 106 rushing yards, although the offense continued to struggle overall.

The Broncos managed just 224 total yards and converted only one of their 12 third-down opportunities.

Those problems have raised questions about whether Payton's return to calling plays will produce a significant improvement, as discussed in a recent Roundtable report on Denver's offensive struggles.

But Dobbins' increased involvement offered one encouraging sign.

The increased workload showed how much confidence Payton had in Dobbins when the Broncos needed to protect their lead.

That was particularly meaningful against a Chargers team Dobbins played for during the 2024 season.

Denver's running game has been inconsistent this season, despite the team's earlier commitment to a more balanced rushing attack.  

Whether Sunday's workload represents a lasting change remains to be seen.

The Broncos face a quick turnaround before hosting the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

For Dobbins, Sunday's performance demonstrated that Payton's return to calling plays could mean more opportunities moving forward.