Broncos Zeroed In on Present, Not Playoff Projections, as Stretch Run Begins
With a 10-2 record and a full head of steam, the Denver Broncos are right in the thick of the AFC playoff picture-and they know it. But if you’re expecting Sean Payton’s squad to start scoreboard-watching or dreaming about January football at Mile High, think again. This team is locked in on the now.
Yes, the Broncos are chasing the 11-2 New England Patriots for the top seed in the AFC, and yes, home-field advantage is very much on the table. But inside the locker room, it’s all about what’s directly in front of them-starting with a Week 14 matchup against the 2-10 Las Vegas Raiders.
On paper, that’s a game Denver should handle. It’s a chance to extend their win streak to 10 games, a remarkable turnaround that’s been fueled by a revitalized defense, efficient quarterback play, and a team-wide buy-in to Payton’s culture.
But ask anyone in the building, and they’ll tell you: this isn’t about looking past anyone. It’s about staying sharp, staying grounded, and stacking wins.
“Home-field advantage is very important,” said star cornerback Patrick Surtain II. “I think it’s key in the playoffs.
But also, we’ve got to take it one week at a time. We can’t have our eyes set on it just yet, because we’ve got a lot of season to finish.”
That mindset is going to be crucial, because after this week’s tilt with the Raiders, the road gets rocky. Denver closes the regular season with matchups against the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs-a stretch that features playoff hopefuls, divisional rivals, and no easy outs.
Surtain knows what’s coming, but he also knows what’s at stake.
“We’ve got some good opponents coming up,” he said. “That’s a great thing to think about, but also understand that this season-we’ve got to finish it out the right way.”
And the Broncos are in position to do just that. Unlike previous years when they needed help from the scoreboard gods, this team controls its own postseason fate. That’s not just a motivational slogan-it’s a reality they’ve earned through consistent, physical football.
“We worked for this moment and opportunity,” Surtain added. “We [don’t have to] wait for teams to do this and that to get into a spot. I feel like we control our own destiny.”
That’s the kind of confidence you want from your locker room in December. Not arrogance-just a clear understanding of the opportunity in front of them, and the discipline to stay focused on the task at hand.
For now, that task is beating the Raiders. No projections, no hypotheticals, no peeking ahead. Just one game, one week, one win at a time.
If the Broncos keep that mindset-and keep playing the brand of football that’s gotten them here-the rest of the AFC should be on alert. Because a playoff game in Denver, with that altitude and this defense? That could be the difference between a solid season and a Super Bowl run.