The Denver Broncos are rolling-and at 12-2 with an 11-game win streak, they’re not just hot, they’re scorching. Sean Payton has this team locked in, and while the wins keep stacking up, the message inside the building is clear: stay focused, stay humble, and keep moving forward.
That’s the reality of life in the NFL. Success is fleeting if you let it linger too long.
One week you’re celebrating a statement win, the next you’re staring down another playoff-caliber opponent. And Payton, a coach who’s been through the highs and lows of deep postseason runs, knows exactly how to keep a team grounded.
“There’s that 24-hour rule, to some degree,” Payton said after Wednesday’s practice, as the Broncos began prep for their upcoming matchup with the 10-4 Jacksonville Jaguars. “It can happen after a tough loss. One of the challenges in this league, I think, is a gut-wrenching loss and then coming back in and trying to flush it and get on with the next goal.”
The thing is, Denver hasn’t had to flush much lately. Their last loss?
Way back in Week 3 against the Chargers. Since then, it’s been a steady march through the schedule, capped most recently by a commanding win over the Packers-a game that showcased just how complete this Broncos team can be when everything clicks.
But Payton isn’t letting his team get caught looking in the rearview mirror. Not with the Jaguars coming to town. Jacksonville is riding a five-game win streak of its own and sits at 10-4, making this one of the biggest matchups on the Week 16 slate.
“I think it’s about the leadership of the team and I think the momentum and the understanding each week,” Payton said. “We have this term, this is a big game, of course this is an important game, and there are going to be bigger ones.”
That’s the mindset Payton is instilling-acknowledge the stakes, but don’t let them overwhelm you. Every game matters, especially when you’re chasing the AFC West crown and the conference’s No. 1 seed. But the real season begins in January, and the Broncos know it.
Right now, it’s about stacking wins, staying sharp, and building toward something even bigger. The playoffs are looming, and Denver wants to be the team nobody wants to face. If they keep playing like this-and if they keep listening to their head coach-they just might be the last team standing in February.