Sean Payton says Broncos ‘aware of what they’re playing for’ after Raiders win

The Denver Broncos took care of the Las Vegas Raiders 24-17 on Sunday afternoon.

And really, this one was never that close.

The Broncos held a 24-7 lead late in the fourth quarter, comfortably ahead the entire game. Vegas got a garbage time touchdown to make it 24-14, then kicked a meaningless field goal at the buzzer to make it a one-score game.

That raised some eyebrows, but the story is the Broncos have now won 10 games in a row. They’re 11-2 and the No. 1 seed in the AFC, holding a conference record tiebreaker over the 11-2 New England Patriots.

If Denver wins out, they road to the Super Bowl will go through Empower Field at Mile High. The win over the Raiders also ensures the Broncos have the common opponents tiebreaker over the Patriots.

After the victory, Sean Payton spoke about the incredible run the Broncos are on right now.

“Our team’s done a good job of really focusing and playing for each other the next week. Putting good work in. And they’re well aware of what they’re playing for,” Payton said.

What they’re playing for is a chance to host two AFC playoff home games. Win both those and Denver would go to Santa Clara. The No. 1 seed is far from locked up, but the Broncos do control their own destiny for it.

On that note, Sean Payton was asked if he’ll be scoreboard watching over the final month of the regular season.

“We’re focused on the next game, really. So, we’re not… I mean everyone goes home and pays attention to who wins and loses, but our focus as a team is Green Bay, the next game,” Payton said.

That’s the right answer from Sean Payton, but he did also acknowledge that the Broncos are aware of what they’re playing for. A lot is still on the line.

And in a relatively easy win over the Raiders, despite the final score, Denver kept handling its business.

Related

Jonah Coleman looks like a first-round running back during training campIf Broncos need an emergency center, Quinn Meinerz is readyBo Nix says running the football early ‘immerses me in the game’Biggest question with Walton-Penner’s Rockies ownership remainsDr. Ramos & Zach Bye discuss Matt Henningsen’s torn Achilles tendonGreg Penner: Broncos goal is to compete for championships, can ‘win Super Bowls’