Broncos Clinch Playoff Spot, But Sean Payton Makes It Clear: “We’re Not Done Yet”
The Denver Broncos punched their ticket to the postseason on Sunday with a win over the Packers, but if you think Sean Payton was celebrating, think again. On a Monday morning conference call, the veteran head coach made one thing crystal clear: clinching a playoff berth is just the beginning.
“We have three goals,” Payton said. “Win the division.
Best seed. Super Bowl.
None of those have been accomplished.”
That’s the mindset of a team that’s won 11 straight and isn’t interested in hanging a banner for “playoff qualifier.” The Broncos, now sitting at 12-2, have their eyes on bigger things - and they’ve got a legitimate shot to get there.
AFC West Within Reach
Let’s start with goal number one: win the division. Denver can lock that up in Week 16 with a win over the red-hot Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) and a Chargers loss to the Cowboys.
That’s the cleanest path. But if things break the other way - a Denver loss and a Chargers win - the AFC West race tightens up to a one-game margin with two to play.
Even in that scenario, the Broncos would still control their own destiny. A win in Kansas City on Christmas night - against a Chiefs team that’ll be without Patrick Mahomes due to an ACL injury - could still seal the deal, especially if the Chargers stumble against the Texans.
Bottom line: Denver needs one win and one Chargers loss, two wins, or two Chargers losses to claim their first division title since 2015. According to playoff simulations, they’ve got a 91% chance to get it done. That’s what happens when you string together nearly three months of winning football.
Chasing the AFC’s Top Spot
Goal number two? Get the best seed.
That means securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed - and the first-round bye that comes with it. Denver took control of that race on Sunday thanks to their win and New England’s loss to Buffalo.
Right now, the Broncos are sitting in the driver’s seat with a 73% chance to finish atop the conference. Two wins in their final three games would get them to 14-3 - a mark only New England can match. But Denver holds the head-to-head tiebreaker, thanks to a better record against common opponents.
Sunday’s game against Jacksonville looms large. The Jags have been lighting up the scoreboard lately - second in the league in scoring since Week 8, averaging nearly 33 points per game.
A win over them would vault Denver’s odds of securing the top seed to 93%. That also sets up a more favorable Thursday night matchup in Kansas City, where Mahomes’ absence changes the dynamics dramatically.
Still, don’t expect the Broncos to look too far ahead. This team, and its coach, are staying laser-focused on the task at hand.
Super Bowl in Sight - But Not Yet in Hand
The final goal on Payton’s list is the one every team dreams of: the Super Bowl. And here’s the deal - if the Broncos can lock down the top seed, their path to Santa Clara becomes a whole lot smoother. Two home wins would be all that stands between them and a shot at their first Lombardi Trophy since 2015.
But no one in Denver is talking about confetti just yet.
“It feels amazing to clinch a playoff spot, but I don’t feel like everybody’s satisfied with just that,” said edge rusher Jonathon Cooper. “We still got things we have to clean up. We still want to play our best ball when we get to the playoffs.”
That mindset has been a hallmark of this team during its 11-game win streak. The Broncos aren’t just winning - they’re evolving. And they know the margin for error shrinks in January.
Big Test Ahead: Jaguars Bring Firepower
To keep the streak alive and take another step toward their goals, Denver will need to handle a Jaguars team that’s been on a tear. Jacksonville has won five straight, putting up 48 points in a blowout win over the Jets on Sunday. Running back Travis Etienne was electric, racking up 105 total yards and hauling in three receiving touchdowns.
Denver’s defense, while still strong in the red zone - they lead the NFL with a 38.5% opponent touchdown rate - has shown some cracks lately. Since Week 11, they rank 26th in defensive EPA per play. They’ll need to tighten things up against a Jacksonville offense that’s been moving the ball at will.
“Everybody knows how explosive they’ve been,” said defensive end Zach Allen. “We’re not looking past that at all. We have a lot of respect for what they’re doing there.”
The Broncos will also be without safety Brandon Jones, who suffered a pectoral injury and was placed on injured reserve. Veteran P.J. Locke stepped in and played well in the second half against Green Bay - and he’ll likely be asked to play a big role moving forward.
“I thought [Locke] played real well,” Payton said. “He has played a lot of football.”
Eyes on the Prize, Feet on the Ground
The Broncos have done what they needed to do to get here - but they know the job isn’t finished. With three games left, everything they’ve worked for is still on the table.
Division title. Top seed.
Super Bowl.
Payton’s message is clear: celebrate the moment, but don’t lose sight of the mission.
And if Denver keeps playing like it has the past 11 weeks, they won’t just be a playoff team - they’ll be a serious threat to run the table.