The Denver Broncos are treating their regular season finale like a playoff game.
“Our focus is, this is a playoff game,” he said. “I just finished telling the team, we have to focus on now. We have to focus on, ‘all right, what are the strengths of [Chargers backup QB] Trey [Lance]? So that’s significant. They’re different style players, but our focus is on this game and winning this game.”
Harbaugh did not commit to resting other starters, saying it would come down to how they practiced during the week. Several starters did not practice Wednesday, including running back Omarion Hampton, wide receiver Keenan Allen, safety Derwin James Jr., edge rusher Khalil Mack, cornerback Nikko Reed, and offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer. Herbert, center Bradley Bozeman, receiver/returner Derius Davis, backup running backs Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal, safety R.J. Mickens, corner Benjamin St-Juste, and edge rusher Tuli Tuipolotu were listed as limited.
The extensive list adds a lot of question marks, but Payton did not care.
“We’re preparing for all of them,” he said. “This is more about us, and they’re a real good football team. ... Jim’s done a great job. [The AFC West] very quickly became a real good division, and so the focus is really internal in our preparation.”
Even though it’s not a playoff game, the Broncos do have a lot riding on the outcome. If they win, they lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC, a bye week in the Wild Card round, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. If they lose and the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars win, they could drop as low as the three-seed, and the Chargers would likely stay in the six-seed, which could lead to the two teams meeting up again with the Chargers’ full complement next week.
“It’s time off,” Payton said when asked about the benefits of a bye. “[Y]ou skip a weekend and then it’s hey, two home games to get to where you want to go. But the focus is on beating a real good Charger team.”
The Broncos would also benefit from a bye week to get some of their key players back. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw missed Wednesday’s practice, while wide receiver Pat Bryant, tight end Nate Adkins, defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, left guard Ben Powers, and practice squad linebacker Karene Reid were all limited. Denver also has starting running back J.K. Dobbins, safety Brandon Jones, and center Luke Wattenberg on short-term injured reserve.
Payton said he wants the home crowd at Empower Field at Mile High to get involved from the first snap.
“I’m not being critical, but earlier, earlier,” he emphasized. “And so, no shell games on the scoreboard, follow the Bronco head or any of [that]. When they’re getting in the huddle, deafening. That’s a 12th man, truly there could be no better. When [Texas] A&M coined that phrase, and then the Seahawks bought it from them, it really fits. 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 compared the home crowd to his years under the Superdome when he coached the New Orleans Saints. He estimated there were roughly four stadiums that could be deafening with the fans involved, and Mile High is one; in fact he said that during their win over the Green Bay Packers, the team heard it.
“They’re an active part, if they want two more home games, right?” he said. “And so no quizzes, no ‘Did You Know?’ All right? None of that.”
