Breakdown from the Field on the Denver Broncos

To truly understand the Denver Broncos’ 2024 success, you have to step beyond the box scores and into the trenches—onto the practice fields at UCHealth Training Center, the sidelines at Empower Field at Mile High, and the locker room after games. This “from the field” breakdown captures the unscripted, granular details that define the Broncos: the way coaches adjust mid-practice, the quiet leadership of veterans during games, and the small rituals that build team chemistry. Breakdown from the Field on the Denver Broncos pulls back the curtain on how this team operates day-to-day, revealing the on-field habits and decisions that have turned them into AFC West contenders.

Breakdown from the Field on the Denver Broncos starts with practice—where the Broncos’ attention to detail becomes visible. On a crisp October Wednesday, the team’s offensive unit runs through red-zone drills, and head coach Sean Payton is everywhere: he stops a rep mid-play to correct wide receiver Courtland Sutton’s route angle (“Two more steps inside—you’re letting the corner shade you”), then pulls quarterback Russell Wilson aside to review a missed read on a play-action pass. What stands out most is the emphasis on backups: while starters get their reps, backup QB Bo Nix runs the same drill with the second-team offense, and Payton spends just as much time coaching him. “We don’t treat reps as ‘starter reps’ or ‘backup reps’—they’re all winning reps,” Payton tells his staff, loud enough for nearby players to hear. Later, during special teams drills, kicker Wil Lutz and backup Elliott Fry take turns attempting 50-yard field goals, with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi timing their approach and adjusting their foot placement. This focus on precision—even in practice—translates to games: the Broncos rank 6th in red-zone conversion rate (68%) and 8th in field goal accuracy (86.7%) this season, direct results of these daily, nitty-gritty repetitions.

Game-day energy is another layer of Breakdown from the Field on the Denver Broncos, and it’s most evident in the hours before kickoff. On a Sunday in November, as the Broncos prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs, the locker room buzzes with controlled intensity. Veteran defensive end Von Miller leads a small group of defensive linemen in a pre-game ritual: they watch clips of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ recent sack fumbles, with Miller pointing out tendencies (“He steps up to his right when he’s pressured—we need to collapse that side”). Across the room, Wilson sits with wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Marvin Mims Jr., drawing plays on a whiteboard and talking through potential Chiefs coverages. By 90 minutes before kickoff, the team moves to the field for warmups, and the secondary’s focus is striking: cornerback Pat Surtain II and safety Justin Simmons run through “mirror drills,” with Surtain shadowing Simmons’ movements to practice staying glued to receivers. When the game starts, these pre-game preparations pay off: the Broncos sack Mahomes four times (three from Miller’s side) and Surtain limits Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill to 4 catches for 52 yards—well below his season average. This on-field synergy, built in pre-game warmups and practice, is what separates the Broncos from teams that rely solely on talent.

Breakdown from the Field on the Denver Broncos also highlights the team’s in-game adaptability—something visible only from the sidelines. During a Week 10 game against the Green Bay Packers, the Broncos trail 21-7 at halftime, and the mood in the locker room is calm, not panicked. Payton gathers the offense and shows a 90-second clip reel of Packers defensive lapses: “They’re overcommitting to stop Javonte [Williams]—we’re going to hit them with play-action to Courtland on the first drive.” Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero makes a simpler adjustment: he tells his linebackers to shift their alignment by two yards to the left, to counter the Packers’ run-heavy formation. The result? The Broncos score 20 points in the second half, with Wilson connecting with Sutton for a 22-yard touchdown on the first drive of the third quarter, and the defense holds the Packers to just 3 points. From the sideline, you can see the adjustments unfold: Wilson calls an audible on the touchdown play, recognizing the Packers’ defense is in the exact formation Payton warned about. For the Denver Broncos, this in-game flexibility isn’t luck—it’s the product of practice reps where they run “adjustment drills” (simulating halftime changes) and trust between coaches and players to execute on the fly.

Another on-field detail that defines Breakdown from the Field on the Denver Broncos is the team’s approach to player health and recovery—critical for a long NFL season. After practice, the Broncos’ training room is a hub of activity, but it’s not just about treating injuries; it’s about prevention. Running back Javonte Williams, who recovered from an ACL tear in 2022, spends 45 minutes on a vibration plate and foam rolling, with a trainer monitoring his knee’s range of motion. Rookie defensive tackle Matt Henningsen works with a strength coach on core exercises to improve his stability—key for avoiding the ankle injuries that plagued him in college. Even veterans like Miller prioritize recovery: he uses a cold plunge pool for 10 minutes after every practice, a habit he’s had since his rookie year. This focus on health pays off: the Broncos have the 5th-lowest number of player games missed due to injury (42) in 2024, well below the league average of 68. For the Denver Broncos, keeping players on the field isn’t an afterthought—it’s a daily, on-field priority, and it’s why they’ve maintained consistency even when other teams are decimated by injuries.

The final layer of Breakdown from the Field on the Denver Broncos is the team’s post-game culture—visible in the moments after wins and losses. After a Week 14 win over the New England Patriots, the locker room is loud, but not chaotic. Wilson gathers the team and hands the game ball to backup center Luke Wattenberg, who filled in for an injured Lloyd Cushenberry III and didn’t allow a single sack. “Luke kept us together up front—this is his win,” Wilson says. Later, Payton pulls rookie Jalen Brooks aside to praise his 15-yard catch on the game-winning drive: “You stayed focused when the Patriots tried to crowd you—keep that up.” After a rare loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15, the mood is different but still united. Miller leads a group of veterans in a circle, saying, “We’re not going to let one game define us—we fix what’s broken in practice this week.” From the field, you can see these post-game moments aren’t just PR stunts; they’re how the Broncos build trust. For the Denver Broncos, success isn’t just about winning games—it’s about the on-field habits, adjustments, and culture that make winning sustainable. As they head into the playoffs, these from-the-field details are what give them a chance to compete for a Super Bowl: not just talent, but the daily work and unity that only someone on the field can truly see.