As 12 other teams start their playoffs in the Wild Card Round this weekend, the Denver Broncos wait at home, already assured the next round.
By no means does that mean they are resting on their laurels after earning the AFC's No. 1 seed and the bye that came with it, especially after an uneven stretch of play to conclude the 2025 regular season.
"We’re going to have to play better," head coach Sean Payton said Friday when asked if he had dialed back the aggressiveness the past two games, per team transcript. "I’d love to say that we pulled a bunch back, but the tape from last week wasn’t really good offensively. It wasn’t great at Kansas City either. It was good enough to win that game. We have to be sharper as we get to these next few games here. We’re going to see good teams that can score, and we’re going to see defenses. ... I was a little salty last week."
Although the Broncos are winners of two straight and 13 of their final 14, Payton's saltiness likely extended beyond just Week 18.
Denver failed to eclipse 20 points in any of its final three contests. In Week 16, the Broncos were roundly outplayed by the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 34-20 loss. They defeated two divisional opponents to close the season, but the Kansas City Chiefs were already eliminated and had placed a slew of names on injured reserve, and the Los Angeles Chargers had elected to rest their starters.
The Broncos offense didn't score against L.A.'s reserves, instead winning, 19-3, on the strength of stellar defense, four Wil Lutz boots and a pick-six by Ja'Quan McMillian.
The offensive output was emblematic of Denver's streakiness all season. Payton's Broncos have been above league average, ranking 14th in points and 10th in yards, but sometimes disappear for damning stretches. That hasn't stopped Bo Nix and Co. from kicking it into gear when it matters most, though.
Nix delivered five fourth-quarter comebacks and a league-leading seven game-winning drives this season, possessing an uncanny ability to come through in the clutch.
With every game counting measures more in the playoffs, hopefully Denver can use the stakes following its bye to stay laser sharp from start to finish during the team's upcoming game(s).
It's somewhat of a tall task for a club with such little postseason experience. The Broncos have made the playoffs two straight years after an eight-season hiatus, but the last trip only lasted one game. Nix is in Year 2. His primary running back, RJ Harvey, is a rookie, and outside Courtland Sutton, his most prominent wideouts -- Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr. and Pat Bryant have all played three seasons or fewer.
But there is a veteran presence on both sides of the ball, namely offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who Payton said he expects back from a hamstring injury for the playoffs. Both players reached the Super Bowl as members of the San Francisco 49ers and can be looked upon to lead.
“Yes, that whole crew, Greenlaw, those guys," Payton said when asked about relying on such players for postseason success. "It’s a positive because they understand the journey it takes. It’s not easy. Nothing’s given or taken for granted. You know what I mean? These [No.] 1 seeds aren’t like car wash coupons. They’re hard. Those guys just in their day-to-day interactions with players that come from teams that have won."
There's also the Mile High atmosphere of Empower Field, where the Broncos are 8-1 this season. Any team that knocks off Denver will have to do so in the elements and at a heightened elevation.
"Knock on wood, we’ve been able to put ourselves in a position to play these real important games in a tough environment for our opponent," Payton said.
Given all the wins the Broncos have stacked, everything -- the clutch factor, their shutdown defense, a sprinkling of veteran know-how and home-field advantage -- could combine for Denver to make a run if the team proves up to the task.
For now, the Broncos remain focused as they await their Divisional Round opponent.