Payton Files: It’s not who you play but how you play

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The last time the Denver Broncos were this big a favorite, Peyton Manning gave an attaboy-greeting to the winning quarterback after the game in the bowels of what was then named Sports Authority Field.

The winning quarterback that Sunday night was Eli Manning, Peyton’s younger brother and quarterback of the heavy underdog New York Giants.

Entering that 2017 Sunday Night Football game on 9NEWS, the Broncos were 3-1with an impressive 42-17 shellacking of the Dallas Cowboys in week 2. The Vance Joseph-coached Broncos were also coming off a bye week while the Giants entered with an 0-5 record, on their way to a 3-13 season. The Broncos were 11 ½-point favorites.

But for this one game, Broncos’ quarterback Trevor Siemian threw a midfield pick six to Giants’ cornerback Janoris “Jackrabbit” Jenkins near the end of the first half and Denver lost, 23-10. On their way to 5-11.

Seven years later, the 4-3 Broncos are 10-point home favorites this Sunday against the 1-6 Carolina Panthers, who were 2-15 last year. The spread was 7 ½, but then Carolina veteran quarterback Andy Dalton suffered a sprained thumb in a car accident early this week, leaving the Panthers’ disappointing No. 1 overall selection from the 2023 draft, Bryce Young, to start this Sunday against the Broncos.

Young was so bad early this season, he was benched after week 2.

And so the Broncos, who started this season favored in just two of their 17 games — the home game against Carolina being one — are now double-digit favorites for the first time since Peyton chose blood over his hometown team.

Then, the Broncos were in the beginning of a freefall from their 2015 Super Bowl championship. This time, the Broncos are trending up under head coach Sean Payton, who in his first season of 2023 improved the team from 5-12 to 8-9 and now has the fan base believing in a long-lost playoff appearance in year two. Nix is now the Broncos’ quarterback. Vance Joseph is still around, this time as a successful defensive coordinator.

9NEWS caught up to Payton for an interview on the Broncos Huddle that will be shown 6:30 P.M. Friday.

It’s been a few years since this team was a double-digit favorite. That means the program is heading in the right direction, No. 1. But also your message to the players has to be, there are no Georgia vs Murray State type games in the NFL.

Payton: “I think each week we line up, we have to understand the opponent, but the focus – and I know we hear this all the time – but the focus has to be internal. How are we getting better? How was today’s practice? And making sure our preparation, our leadership, all those things are on point as we get ready to play the next one. And so that’s how we’re treating this week.”

You’ve got a unique skill set at quarterback. Bo Nix has traits that are half-Drew Brees, half-Taysom Hill. As a play caller, it looked like you were having some fun with it in New Orleans. Does Bo’s versatility open it up for you?

Payton: “Look, there’s some things he can do that helps us in the run game. One was third down – it really depends on the opponent. Some opponents, maybe those aren’t as clean. We felt New Orleans that was something we had four or five different possible QB runs, RPOs, that type of thing and he certainly has the speed to do it. He’s done a good job of protecting himself when he has run.”

Your defense. Never mind the stats, which are great (No. 3 in yards and points allowed). What pops out on the eye test is how aggressive you are. Blitzes come from any of the 11 players. You have had all kinds of defenses, coached against them all, how did you settle on this style?

Payton: “This is a credit to Vance and his staff. The key, anytime you assemble a team, is try to look at what we do well, what are the things where we (as coaches) can help and then does it help our people? And that can change week to week. In other words, based on the opponent. But I think it’s getting the work done out here (on the practice field), making sure we’re on point, understanding who are the players that can beat you on either side of the ball and playing accordingly.”