Sean Payton has been a fixture in the NFL coaching ranks for nearly two decades, and his postseason résumé is a testament to both his longevity and his ability to build competitive teams. From his Super Bowl-winning run with the New Orleans Saints to his recent return with the Denver Broncos, Payton has carved out a playoff legacy that’s still unfolding.
Let’s take a closer look at how Payton has fared when the stakes are highest-and what his postseason track record tells us about his teams, his philosophy, and the moments that have defined his career.
Sean Payton’s Playoff Record: 9-9 (.500)
Through 18 playoff games, Sean Payton owns a 9-9 record. That puts him squarely at .500 in the postseason-a mark that, while not elite, places him among the more experienced playoff coaches in league history. One more win would make him just the 19th head coach in NFL history to reach double-digit playoff victories.
What’s interesting here isn’t just the number-9-9-but how those wins and losses are distributed. All nine of Payton’s playoff wins came during his time with the Saints. His lone postseason appearance with the Broncos, in the 2024 season, ended in a lopsided loss to Buffalo.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story. Payton’s teams have often been competitive deep into January, and his playoff journey includes some unforgettable highs-and a few gut-wrenching lows.
The High Point: 2009 Super Bowl Run
Payton’s crowning achievement came during the 2009 season, when he guided the Saints to a 3-0 postseason run that culminated in a 31-17 Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts. That stretch included a dominant win over the Cardinals, a dramatic overtime victory against the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game, and a gutsy Super Bowl performance that helped cement Drew Brees’ legacy.
That run wasn’t just about talent-it was about preparation, bold play-calling, and a team that believed in its identity. Payton’s aggressive style, from onside kicks to fearless fourth-down decisions, helped define that championship run.
The Near Misses and Tough Exits
After that Super Bowl win, Payton’s Saints were consistently in the mix but never quite got back to the mountaintop. From 2010 to 2020, New Orleans made the playoffs eight more times under Payton, but the road was often bumpy.
There were heartbreaking losses-like the 29-23 defeat to the Vikings in the 2017 Divisional Round, a game remembered for the “Minneapolis Miracle.” There was the controversial 2018 NFC Championship Game loss to the Rams, where a missed pass interference call stole headlines. And there were early exits, like the 2020 Wild Card loss to the Vikings and the 2021 Divisional Round defeat to the Buccaneers in what would be Drew Brees’ final game.
In total, Payton’s Saints lost three times in the Wild Card round, three times in the Divisional Round, and twice in the NFC title game after their Super Bowl win. Those losses weren’t always about being outcoached-sometimes it was bad luck, sometimes it was execution, and sometimes the other team just made one more play.
A New Chapter in Denver
Payton’s return to coaching in 2023 brought him to Denver, where he was tasked with resurrecting a franchise that had struggled to find stability since the Peyton Manning era. In his second season with the Broncos, Payton led the team to the playoffs-but their postseason return was short-lived.
The Broncos’ 2024 Wild Card matchup ended in a 31-7 loss to the Bills, a game where Denver simply couldn’t match Buffalo’s firepower. It was a disappointing finish, but also a sign that Payton’s influence was already making a difference-getting a team that had been out of the playoff picture back into the bracket.
Now, with another postseason appearance on the horizon in 2026, Payton has a chance to add to his playoff legacy in Denver. The Broncos are looking for their first playoff win under his leadership, and if history tells us anything, it’s that Payton knows how to get teams ready for January football.
Full Breakdown: Sean Payton’s Playoff Games
Here’s a game-by-game look at Payton’s postseason history:
| Date | Round | Result |
|---|
| Jan. 13, 2007 | Divisional Round | Saints 27, Eagles 24 (W) |
| Jan. 21, 2007 | NFC Championship | Bears 39, Saints 14 (L) |
| Jan. 16, 2010 | Divisional Round | Saints 45, Cardinals 14 (W) |
| Jan. 24, 2010 | NFC Championship | Saints 31, Vikings 28 (W) |
| Feb. 7, 2010 | Super Bowl | Saints 31, Colts 17 (W) |
| Jan. 8, 2011 | Wild Card | Seahawks 41, Saints 36 (L) |
| Jan. 7, 2012 | Wild Card | Saints 45, Lions 28 (W) |
| Jan. 14, 2012 | Divisional Round | 49ers 36, Saints 32 (L) |
| Jan. 4, 2014 | Wild Card | Saints 26, Eagles 24 (W) |
| Jan. 11, 2014 | Divisional Round | Seahawks 23, Saints 15 (L) |
| Jan. 7, 2018 | Wild Card | Saints 31, Panthers 26 (W) |
| Jan. 14, 2018 | Divisional Round | Vikings 29, Saints 23 (L) |
| Jan. 13, 2019 | Divisional Round | Saints 20, Eagles 14 (W) |
| Jan. 20, 2019 | NFC Championship | Rams 26, Saints 23 (L) |
| Jan. 5, 2020 | Wild Card | Vikings 26, Saints 20 (L) |
| Jan. 10, 2021 | Wild Card | Saints 21, Bears 9 (W) |
| Jan. 17, 2021 | Divisional Round | Buccaneers 30, Saints 20 (L) |
| Jan. 12, 2025 | Wild Card | Bills 31, Broncos 7 (L) |
What It All Means
Sean Payton’s playoff record isn’t spotless, but it’s filled with meaningful games, big-time performances, and the kind of experience that few active coaches can match. He’s shown he can win the biggest games-and he’s also felt the sting of postseason heartbreak.
Now, with another playoff run on deck in Denver, Payton has a chance to push that 9-9 record into positive territory. And if there’s one thing we know about Sean Payton, it’s that he’s not done chasing wins-or chasing history.