December 18th 2024.
Sean Payton has never been one to shy away from the spotlight. When the league approached Denver's head coach about potentially moving their upcoming game against the Chargers to Thursday night, he didn't hesitate to accept. And when it was announced that the Broncos would have their third nationally televised game in four weeks, Payton made sure to let his players know that this is what they should expect.
But Payton's confidence doesn't just stop with himself. It has spread throughout the entire locker room, instilling a strong belief in the team and propelling them to success. Tight end Adam Trautman spoke about Payton's swagger and his desire for the big moments. It's that kind of attitude that makes players want to play for him.
For rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin, playing on a national stage is a dream come true. As a child, he used to watch Monday and Sunday Night Football, and now he gets to be a part of it as a player. He sees it as a morale booster for the team, and he loves that Payton fully embraces these moments and has complete faith in his team.
Payton's trust in his team has paid off. The Broncos have won both of their prime-time matchups this season, including a dominating 33-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football in Week 7. And just two weeks ago, they held on to beat the Browns in a thrilling Monday Night Football shootout.
But their upcoming game against the Chargers is not just any prime-time game. If they win, they will secure a spot in the postseason for the first time since Peyton Manning retired. As someone who has played in high-stakes prime-time games, starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey knows the key to handling the pressure is to treat it like any other game and not over-hype it.
The Broncos will have to play a near-perfect game to beat the Chargers and shine in the national spotlight once again. They learned from their previous matchup, where they lost to the Chargers in Week 6. Quarterback Justin Herbert takes care of the ball, which allows the Chargers to control the time of possession. In their last game, the Chargers had the ball for over 37 minutes, leaving little time for the Broncos to mount a comeback. Quarterback Bo Nix knows they need to be better in this aspect and is focused on the bigger goal of winning three more games and ultimately winning a Super Bowl.
For wide receiver Courtland Sutton, the lack of nationally televised games on the Broncos' schedule earlier in the season was a sign of how the league perceived their team. But with their recent success, they have proven themselves and are now attracting more attention. And that's all thanks to their hard work and determination.
Last week, the Broncos secured their first winning season since 2016 with a win over the Indianapolis Colts. They've won four straight games since their loss to the Chiefs on a blocked field goal attempt. And with their upcoming game being moved to a prime-time slot, they are having to adjust their practice schedule and compress film study sessions. But for them, it's just another sign of their progress and growth as a team.
As tight end Adam Trautman said, if it means sacrificing time with family and loved ones, then that's what it takes. Because for the Broncos, the bigger goal is to continue their success and make it to the playoffs. And with Payton's confidence and trust in his team, they believe they can achieve anything.
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