Broncos Aim to Secure Crucial No. 1 Seed in Week 18 Against Chargers

The Denver Broncos are setting their sights on the final game of the regular season as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18. Having already clinched the AFC West title, the team’s focus now shifts to securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Importance of Securing the No. 1 Seed

Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton emphasized that the team did not celebrate their AFC West championship. Instead, their priority is on the upcoming matchup. A victory over the Chargers would solidify their position as the top seed, granting them a crucial first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage.

Players’ Mindset Going into the Game

• Linebacker Alex Singleton stated, “We have one goal: to win this weekend and beat the Chargers.”
• The focus in the locker room is on the singular opportunity to secure the top seed.

Coach Payton highlighted the historical significance of achieving the top seed. He pointed out the advantages, such as skipping a potentially risky playoff game. “You skip the threat of potentially losing a game,” he said, emphasizing the importance of playing in front of their fans during the playoffs.

Challenges of the Road to the Playoffs

Payton acknowledged that playing on the road is more challenging for any team seeking a successful playoff run. Since the NFL expanded its playoff format in 2020, history shows that five out of ten No. 1 seeds reached the Super Bowl. This statistic underscores the stakes for the Broncos as they head into their final regular-season game.

The Turnover Battle

Addressing areas for improvement, Payton noted the team’s need to enhance their turnover margin. Historically, only one Super Bowl champion in the past 25 years has had a negative turnover differential during the postseason. Improving this aspect is crucial as the Broncos gear up for the playoffs.

• Only five of 60 playoff teams without a strong turnover margin made it to the final weekend.
• Ten of the last fifteen Super Bowl champions had a top-two turnover margin among postseason qualifiers.

Despite showing promise earlier in the season, the Broncos recently lost the turnover battle. “It’s just being proactive about it,” Singleton remarked, highlighting the need for continued focus during practice. The team is determined to take the next steps to improve and prepare for the challenges ahead in the playoffs.

The upcoming Week 18 game against the Chargers is not just another match; it’s pivotal for the Broncos’ playoff ambitions, making this contest feel like a playoff game in itself.