The Denver Broncos are heading into their next matchup with something that’s become all too familiar this season: the underdog label. Despite hosting the game at Mile High and facing a Buffalo Bills squad that's not quite at full strength, the early betting lines had Denver as 1.5-point underdogs.
Now, if you're surprised by that, you're not alone. But inside the Broncos’ locker room, there's no panic - and definitely no obsession with what the oddsmakers think.
“I can’t control that,” head coach Sean Payton said when asked about the point spread. “I don’t - we don’t pay attention to that honestly.” That’s classic Payton: focused, unbothered, and keeping the attention where it belongs - on preparation, not perception.
Quarterback Bo Nix echoed that same mindset. “We don’t really care,” he said.
“We’ve been underdogs before and probably will be again in the future. I think good things happen to that last team that was an underdog.”
That’s not just lip service. Nix has leaned into the underdog role with a level of confidence that’s starting to rub off on the rest of the team.
Earlier in the season, when Denver was again labeled an underdog before facing the Packers at home, Nix didn’t flinch. In fact, he leaned into it with a smile: “My mom thinks we’ll win, so that’s all that matters.”
That kind of loose, grounded attitude - especially from a young quarterback - says a lot about where this Broncos team is mentally. They’re not rattled by outside expectations.
They’re not letting narratives dictate their identity. And they’re not afraid to play with a chip on their shoulder.
Interestingly, since the initial lines dropped, some sportsbooks have started to flip the odds in Denver’s favor - a sign that the betting public may be catching on to what’s brewing in the Rockies.
As kickoff approaches, the Broncos aren’t chasing headlines. They’re chasing wins. And if they keep playing like a team that’s more concerned with execution than perception, they might just make some noise down the stretch.
We’ll have full coverage leading up to Denver’s showdown with Buffalo - stay locked in.