Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is not worried about anything but the next game, regardless of who suits up. This week, that happens to mean that Payton is not letting his Broncos slow down against the Los Angeles Chargers, who will not have Justin Herbert.
That plan has been well-known for several days.
However, Payton and the Broncos are viewing the situation as an opportunity with something still on the line.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Reacts to Justin Herbert News
GettyJustin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts against the Houston Texans
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh announced last week that Herbert and many of LA’s banged-up players could sit out or at least be pulled early against Payton’s Broncos in Week 18 as they gear up for the postseason.
Payton is taking a polar-opposite approach and sticking to it.
“Can’t [impact us]. Doesn’t. Our focus is, this is a playoff game. I just finished telling the team, we have to focus on–Now, we have to focus on, all right, what are the strengths of Trey [Lance]? So, that’s significant. They’re different-style players,” Payton told reporters during his second-to-last pre-game media availability of the 2025 regular season.
“We’re preparing for all of them. This is more about us. And they’re a good football team. Tremendous football team. Jim’s done a great job.”
Payton maintained that the Broncos’ “focus is really internal in our preparation.”
However, he also acknowledged that they have “not played well or coached well in the three games prior, and we’ve got to improve on that.” Payton and the Broncos have not defeated the Chargers since Harbaugh took over.
Sean Payton Wants ‘Deafening’ Crowd Noise
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks to his team during a game against the Houston Texans.
Payton is not trying to take any chances against even a diminished version of the Chargers, calling on Broncos fans to help the team secure home-field advantage in the postseason. He even joked that there should be no distractions on the scoreboard.
The Broncos have already won the AFC West, but they could still need to beat the Chargers to fend off the New England Patriots for the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Payton called on the crowd to be a factor once again with the bigger prize in mind.
“I sure hope so. And I and I say this, I’m not being critical, but earlier. Earlier. And so, no shell games on the scoreboard, no follow the Bronco head, or any of [that]. Let’s get this, when they’re getting in the huddle, deafening, and that’s the 12th man,” Payton said.
“That is what’s so exciting about this game, and then, what a win in this game can do for the next couple games.”
Payton then doubled down on his request, putting the onus on the fans.
The 2007 Super Bowl-winning head coach said, “They’re an active part if they want two more home games, right? And so, no quizzes. No ‘did you know,’ all right? None of that. That’s stuff you do at the basketball game.”
The Broncos could earn a bye week during the Wild Card, giving them time to rest, but also a shorter path to their ultimate goal, which has always been the Super Bowl.
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