Sean Payton is no stranger to winning football games, but what he’s doing in Denver this season is something special. The Broncos are sitting atop the AFC with the No. 1 seed in hand for now, and with three weeks left in the regular season, they’re within striking distance of a milestone that would put Payton in elite company.
One more win, and Payton will notch his fifth 13-win season as a head coach-tying him with Bill Belichick for the most such seasons in NFL history. That’s not just a feather in the cap; that’s rare air.
Only two head coaches in league history would have reached that mark. The opportunity to join Belichick in that exclusive club underscores just how consistent and impactful Payton has been throughout his career.
The next chance comes this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. A win there would not only keep the Broncos in the driver’s seat for the AFC’s top playoff seed-it would also cement Payton’s legacy even further.
And let’s be clear: this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the turnaround he’s engineered in Denver.
When Payton took the reins in 2023, the Broncos were a franchise searching for direction. Fast forward to now, and they’re not just competitive-they’re thriving.
A big part of that resurgence? Bo Nix.
The rookie quarterback has stepped into the spotlight and delivered beyond expectations, giving Payton the kind of steady, efficient play he can build around.
Together, Nix and Payton are writing a new chapter in Broncos history. And if they keep this up, it won’t just be about playoff berths or win totals-it’ll be about building something sustainable, something that brings Denver back into the conversation as a perennial contender.
Let’s not forget, Payton already hit the 13-win mark four times during his tenure with the New Orleans Saints-in 2009, 2011, 2018, and 2019. That 2009 season, of course, ended with a Super Bowl title. Now, with the Broncos on the rise and the postseason looming, the question becomes: can he do it again?
First things first-beat the Jaguars on Sunday. That would be win No. 13, a spot in the record books, and another step closer to making this season one to remember in the Mile High City.