← NewsAll
Sean Payton and the Broncos chase a unique Super Bowl milestone.
Summary
The Denver Broncos are two victories away from the Super Bowl and open the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills; coach Sean Payton, who won with the Saints in 2010, could become the first coach to win Super Bowls with two different franchises.
Content
Sean Payton has led the Denver Broncos to a deep postseason run this season. Five months after a preseason stop at Levi's Stadium, the Broncos are two wins from a return to that Super Bowl site. Payton's hiring in 2023 was framed as a cultural overhaul, and the team finished the regular season with 14 wins and the AFC's top seed. The coach's detailed approach and roster changes have been a recurring theme throughout the year.
Key facts:
- The Broncos open the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills and reigning MVP Josh Allen; two postseason victories would send Denver to the Super Bowl at Levi's Stadium.
- Sean Payton previously won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints in February 2010 and could become the first coach to win Super Bowls with two different franchises.
- Denver tied a franchise record with 14 regular-season wins and secured the AFC No. 1 seed.
- The team won 11 straight games after a 1-2 start and tied an NFL mark with 11 one-score victories.
- Payton and GM George Paton reshaped the roster quickly, selecting quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th pick; Nix has 24 wins through his first two NFL seasons.
- Injuries to starters such as J.K. Dobbins, Ben Powers, Brandon Jones and Dre Greenlaw tested the team's depth during the season.
Summary:
Payton's emphasis on detail, culture and roster construction has been central to Denver's season. The Broncos' divisional-round matchup with Buffalo begins a two-week stretch that will determine whether the team returns to Levi's Stadium for the Super Bowl. The outcome will also decide whether Payton reaches the rare possibility of a second Super Bowl title with a different franchise.
