Sean Payton sat at the podium in Denver this week looking a little, well, "salty." That’s his own word for it. After a 14-3 regular season and clinching the AFC’s top seed, you’d think the guy would be doing victory laps. Instead, the recent Sean Payton news conference felt more like a reality check for a fan base already dreaming of Santa Clara.
He didn't come to talk about the 11-game winning streak. He came to talk about third-down conversions.
"I’d love to say that we pulled a bunch back," Payton told reporters when asked if he was sandbagging the playbook in the final weeks. "But the tape from last week wasn’t really good offensively."
The "Vanilla" Myth and the Buffalo Reality
There is this massive narrative floating around Denver right now. People think Payton was playing "prevent coaching" against the Chargers and Chiefs—hiding the good stuff to keep the Buffalo Bills in the dark for this Saturday’s Divisional Round.
Payton basically nuked that theory from orbit.
He was blunt. He admitted the offense has been stagnant. The Broncos didn't score an offensive touchdown in their Week 18 win over Los Angeles. Sure, they won 19-3, but going 0-for-3 in the red zone is the kind of thing that keeps Sean Payton awake at night staring at a laminated play sheet.
✨ Don't miss: Kurt Warner Height: What Most People Get Wrong About the QB Legend
Honestly, the honesty was jarring. Most coaches would offer some coach-speak about "finding ways to win." Payton? He called the tape "not good." He’s worried about the red zone. He’s worried about the 2-minute drill. He knows that against Josh Allen, field goals are just slow-motion losses.
Why the Crowd Noise Request is a Big Deal
One of the weirdest, most specific takeaways from the news conference was Payton’s "math lesson" for Broncos Country.
He has a very specific request for the fans at Mile High this Saturday:
- Stop waiting for the huddle to break to start screaming.
- Start the noise the second the Bills enter the huddle.
- Keep it up for exactly 10 seconds per snap.
He’s looking for a psychological edge. He noted that for years, fans were conditioned to wait for the huddle to break. Payton wants to disrupt the actual play call. He calculated it: 65 snaps at 10 seconds each. That’s about 11 minutes of pure chaos. It sounds like a small detail, but when you're facing a guy like Josh Allen who thrives on "second-act explosives," every second of communication you steal from him matters.
The Health Factor: Dre Greenlaw and J.K. Dobbins
The news conference got a bit testy when the media started poking at the injury report. Payton has always been a "state secret" kind of guy with injuries, and this week was no different.
🔗 Read more: Juan Carlos Gabriel de Anda: Why the Controversial Sportscaster Still Matters
He did confirm that linebacker Dre Greenlaw is expected back for the playoffs. That is huge. Greenlaw, the former 49er, is the "downhill" hammer this defense needs to stop the Bills' run game. When a reporter tried to get technical about Greenlaw's "downhill" style, Payton snapped back with a "what do you know about attacking downhill?"
It was classic Payton. Salty. Protective. Focused.
As for J.K. Dobbins? That’s still a "getting close" situation. He wouldn't commit to a return date, which leaves the backfield duties to the rookie RJ Harvey and the reliable Jaleel McLaughlin for now.
What This Means for Saturday
If you’ve watched this team all year, you know they’ve won 12 games by coming from behind. Bo Nix has been a revelation, but the "stagnant" label Payton put on the offense lately is a warning. The Broncos have lived on the edge. They are 10-2 in one-score games.
Payton’s message was clear: that luck runs out in January if you don't turn field goals into touchdowns.
💡 You might also like: Ja Morant Height: Why the NBA Star Looks Bigger Than He Actually Is
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Round
If you're heading to the game or just watching from the couch, here is how to actually read between the lines of what Payton said:
- Watch the First Quarter Red Zone: If the Broncos settle for a field goal on their first trip inside the 20, the "stagnant" issues Payton mentioned haven't been fixed. That's the primary red flag.
- The 10-Second Rule: Pay attention to the crowd. If the stadium is rocking while the Bills are still in the huddle, the fans are following the "Payton Plan." It’s designed to force Buffalo to use silent counts earlier than they want to.
- Third Down is the Game: Payton is obsessed with the third-down numbers right now. He’s spent the week looking at two years' worth of third-down red zone data. Watch for "unconventional" calls on 3rd and short—stuff he hasn't put on tape in months.
The biggest takeaway from the Sean Payton news conference isn't that the Broncos are the No. 1 seed. It’s that their coach is coaching like they’re the underdogs. He’s "salty," he’s demanding better execution, and he’s not letting anyone—players or media—get comfortable.
Saturday is going to be a 120-minute (or at least 65-snap) war.
Make sure your throat is ready for those 10 seconds of noise.
Next Steps for Broncos Fans:
Check the final injury report on Friday afternoon to see if Dre Greenlaw is listed as a full participant; his presence changes how Vance Joseph can disguise blitzes against Josh Allen. If Greenlaw is out, expect a much more conservative "shell" defense that tries to limit big plays rather than attacking the pocket.