ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — When the Denver Broncos won their first AFC West title in a decade last week, Sean Payton said he didn't talk about it with his team and he told reporters he'd heard the commemorative caps and T-shirts were ugly.
So, it's not surprising when Payton insists he's not focused on the NFL-best and franchise-record 64 sacks the Broncos have piled up heading into Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers with the AFC's top playoff seed on the line.
“I'm not worried about the sacks, not worried about the sacks,” Payton said. "I'm worried about caging the quarterback, rushing him properly. So we’re not focused on the sack numbers. Those can actually be numbers that help a quarterback climb up in the pocket.
"A lot of it maybe has to do with who we’ve been playing relative to the quarterback position, but I’m not interested in the sack numbers.”
Still, they're significant.
The Broncos' 64 sacks, one more than they had last year when they also led the league, are 11 more than the next team's, the Atlanta Falcons, who have 53.
A whopping 17 Denver players have gotten in on the sack attack, led by Nik Bonitto with 12 1/2.
“I think that's the most underrated part about when we rush the passer, or a lot of these blitzes that are being called, is we have so many unselfish guys," Bonitto said. "The D-tackles being willing to drop in coverage, the outside linebackers being able to drop in coverage and the DBs knowing when to blitz and just guys rushing the right way.
“That's why we're seeing the numbers that we are and everybody's able to get a piece of the cake when it comes to getting the sacks.”
For a while, the Broncos were on pace to set the NFL record for most sacks in a season, a mark that's held by the Chicago Bears, who had 72 sacks in 1984.
But since their bye week a month and a half ago, the Broncos have averaged three sacks a game, down from the 4.45 clip they produced during their first 11 games.
To curtail Denver's pass rush, opposing quarterbacks have been getting the ball out of their hands quickly.
“They'd better,” Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph cracked.
Or else they'll get sacked.
But playing the short game with quick passes to keep the Broncos at bay only plays into the the Broncos' hands in the bigger picture as opponents curtail their own downfield passing game to keep their quarterback upright.
“Absolutely, I see that as we’re first in yards per play and we’re first in giving up (the fewest) big plays. That’s it,” Joseph said. “So, if you want to chase numbers, let’s chase the right numbers. And numbers change and numbers can tell a lot of stories. But teams don’t want to get sacked by us, so the ball is coming out quicker. But if we tackle well, it doesn’t hurt us.”
That's where sure-handed rookie Jahdae Barron comes in as the Broncos implement their “Big Nickel" defense in heavy doses with inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) sidelined.
Denver's defense has had to adjust to the quicker releases, too.
“My point to our guys is basics, tackling, the ball is going to come out quicker. D-line, get your hands up, knock some balls down,” Joseph said. “No one’s going to hold the ball against us. It’s gonna be the same on Sunday, it’s gonna be the same in the playoffs, if they hold it we’re going to sack them.”
The Broncos only sacked third-string Chiefs QB Chris Oladokun one time in their 20-13 win at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas night, but they limited him to 66 yards passing and held Kansas City to just 139 yards of total offense.
Joseph insists the Broncos could have obliterated the single-season sack record if Denver's pass rushers weren't unselfish. But they're a disciplined bunch, not rushing past the quarterback's deepest drop and, as Payton said, focused instead on caging the quarterback.
If he steps up to avoid the rush, defensive lineman Zach Allen has been there to close the escape route. Allen's 45 quarterback hits so far lead the league, eight ahead of second-place Myles Garrett, who can set the single-season record with a sack on Sunday.
Allen's 68 quarterback pressures are the most by any NFL interior defensive lineman.
“We're not rushing recklessly (and) passing the quarterback to get 64 sacks," Joseph said. “So, it's being done right.”
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Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Bills coach Sean McDermott finds his focus being pulled in different directions ahead of Buffalo's season finale. He must decide who to play or rest ahead of the playoffs while still giving a proper send-off to Highmark Stadium in what could very well be the last game there.
One thing McDermott plans to do is find time in his schedule to appreciate the 53-year-old stadium one last time before Buffalo (11-5) closes its season against the New York Jets (3-13) on Sunday.
“It’s a unique place,” McDermott said. “I want to cherish every minute of it.”
His only disappointment is not getting enough wins to guarantee at least one more home game before the Bills move across the street to a new $2.1 billion stadium next season.
Buffalo enters the weekend as the AFC’s No. 7 seed and can rise no higher than No. 5, meaning it will open the playoffs on the road.
Because of the relatively low stakes of the game, McDermott has various options regarding his lineup.
Josh Allen, who has a sore right foot, is expected to extend his starting streak to 135 games, including playoffs — the NFL’s longest active run.
Running back James Cook could get enough playing time to help him become Buffalo's first player to win the NFL’s rushing title since O.J. Simpson in 1976. Cook leads Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor by 47 yards.
As for the rest of the roster, McDermott will lean toward caution in resting injured players. But he also wants his team to be competitive and close the stadium with a win.
First-year Jets coach Aaron Glenn and his team have little to look forward to but another lengthy offseason after extending the NFL’s longest active playoff drought to a 15th year. New York has been outscored by a combined margin of 153-46 in its past four games, all losses.
“It gives us another chance to play against a good playoff team,” Glenn said. “There have been some improvements with this team, and we’re going to try to improve on those things while we’re also trying to improve on the weaknesses that we have.”
If there are lingering questions about Glenn’s status beyond this season, tight end Jeremy Ruckert had the coach’s back.
“He truly cares about this team. You can see every day how much time and love he puts into us,” Ruckert said. “I would go to war with him.”
McDermott is completing his ninth season and has transformed the Bills into perennial contenders. He has reached the playoffs in seven straight seasons and eight overall.
And he's created new memories at the stadium dubbed “The Ralph” in honor of late franchise owner Ralph Wilson. The building was once home to to Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith and O.J. Simpson, and it has hosted the Rolling Stones and the 2008 NHL Winter Classic.
It’s where McDermott won his first game, a 21-12 decision over the Jets, to open the 2017 season. It’s where he won his first playoff game, a 27-24 victory over Indianapolis in the 2020 season before a sparse crowd due to COVID-19 restrictions. And it’s where McDermott celebrated clinching a 2024 playoff berth by making snow angels on the turf following a 35-10 win over San Francisco.
“Life moves fast, and it’s been a special place for a lot of people,” McDermott said. “We’re just excited to play one more game in this stadium, in front of our fans, and share in that moment together.”
The Jets are on the verge of making some more dubious NFL history.
They already have the most consecutive games without an interception with 16. If New York can't intercept a pass at Buffalo, it'll be the first team without a pick in an entire season.
The Jets’ last interception came in last year’s season finale, when Ashtyn Davis had two against the Dolphins.
“This is a bizarre situation,” interim defensive coordinator Chris Harris said. “I’ve never seen it, but our guys are working hard, working hard, so we’ll see. I’m excited about the opportunity, though.”
Undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook is set to make his fourth straight start to end the season. It’s a scenario he couldn’t have envisioned after he began his career on the practice squad while Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor started.
But the former Missouri star hasn’t been fazed by much during his late-season starting stint.
“Honestly, not a ton of big surprises,” Cook said. “Getting to watch, you know, the first 15, 16 weeks of the season, I got a lot of those surprises out of the way.”
With Shane Buechele recently signed off the Bills' practice squad by Kansas City, Buffalo is down to two quarterbacks, Allen and backup Mitch Trubisky. The lack of a third-stringer led to a playful guessing game between McDermott and reporters over who might be the team’s emergency backup.
McDermott limited his responses to “good try” when presented with the options of tight end Dawson Knox, running back Ray Davis and offensive lineman David Edwards, all of whom have previously played the position.
AP Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. contributed to this report.
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FILE - The Highmark Stadium, foreground, frames the construction on the new Highmark Stadium, upper right, scheduled to open with the 2026 season, shown before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots, Oct. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
FILE - The Highmark Stadium before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, in Buffalo, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott waves to fans after an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/David Richard)
