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

The sideline 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 the game. Denver’s 34-18 victory about the Las Vegas Raiders.

Payton said Nix reversed the play call and he wasn’t happy about it. When Nix came off the field, he laid against him – and Nix clapped right back.

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

Funny that he called it that, since Nix refused to say what the animated discussion entailed.

“He turned around 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, “Yes, I saw the movie. Literally, I think this explains the situation. We were there with intensity and fire.

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

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

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

“That’s what you want to play for as a player and who you want to get in the closet with. I mean, it is what it is, no matter what happened on the sidelines. But I can say that players absolutely respect that kind of thing.”

During the broadcast, Fox analyst Daryl Johnston said: “Advice from Drew Brees: Sean Payton will demand a lot from you. You have to be demanding right away. There is some part of that relationship. And I can tell you: you have to have respect. You will make these things happen during a game. Stepping between the white lines and being competitive can sometimes cause tempers to flare a bit.

“But these two will be on the same page in the future. I think this is a great example of what Drew Brees was talking about.”

After the sideline bickering, Nix was surgically efficient in driving Denver to a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, sneaking 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 made a comment during a 42-17 loss in Detroit and Payton chewed him out on the sideline. Wilson just stood there and didn’t say anything back. (He would only start one more game for Denver before being benched ahead of his offseason release.)

Payton said Monday that he likes having a quarterback in Nix who can 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 are looking for people who are passionate about the game, and not about other things. And I think that’s so important to him.

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

What works

Thanks to Patrick Surtain II 100-yard interception return for a touchdownthe 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. Denver’s three points to zero by Las Vegas made third downs a secondary concern, but the Broncos need to improve in that area on both sides of the ball.

Stock up

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

Stock down

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

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 started in place of Mike McGlinchey (knee), who will miss another week on injured reserve.

Key numbers

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

6 of 8 — Denver’s success in the red zone during its three-game winning streak, not including Sunday’s kneel-downs.

Next steps

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

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AP N.F.L.: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl