The first time Bill Parcells called Sean Payton was Christmas night, 2002. That conversation remains a gift, one unwrapped by the Broncos this season. In Year 2 of a project that was more of an HGTV rebuild than a heavy lift,

An incredible statistic about Sean Payton’s record against bald head coaches has gone viral. Payton has led his Denver Broncos to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth in just his second season as the team’s head coach.

As the sixth quarterback off the board in the 2024 NFL draft, Nix wasn't as highly touted as Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams or Washington Commanders star Jayden Daniels, who looks set to win the Rookie of the Year. But he certainly has looked the part of franchise quarterback in his first year.

The Pittsburgh Steelers brought in quarterback Russell Wilson on a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum ahead of the 2024 season. This was thanks to Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton forcing Wilson out of town.

After the playoff-clinching win, Broncos coach Sean Payton presented game balls to the team’s ownership group.

Few will give these Broncos, led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix, a chance at upsetting a Bills squad making its sixth consecutive playoff appearance. Don't tell Sean Payton his upstart club has not shot.

The Broncos are back in the playoffs and that means the Broncos roundtable is re-convened, too. Before the Broncos hit the road to Buffalo, let’s get into how Sean Payton’s team got here and what has to happen Sunday on the shores of Lake Erie in order for Denver to pull the upset and get to the divisional round.

Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller will face his old team, and he dropped an honest admission about the playoff matchup.

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph watches a replay on the scoreboard during the first half of the game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Jan. 7, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders took on Denver Broncos during week 18 of NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Moving on from Russell Wilson ultimately proved to be a cathartic experience for the Broncos, which they badly needed. Obviously, it was prohibitive for the team's salary cap to absorb, but it forced the Broncos to turn the page conclusively and hitch their wagon to a burgeoning youth movement that has emerged.

The Broncos made the NFL playoffs despite having $89 million in “dead money” count against their salary cap this season.