Sean Payton's Tactics Key to the Denver Broncos' Streak

The Denver Broncos’ eight-game winning streak in the 2025 NFL season has been one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent league history—and at the center of this success is head coach Sean Payton. After a disappointing 2024 campaign, Payton overhauled the Broncos’ approach to both offense and defense, implementing tactical adjustments that have turned a middle-of-the-pack team into a legitimate AFC contender. From revamping the passing game to refining the defense’s situational awareness, Payton’s tactics have not only maximized the talent on the roster but also fostered a culture of discipline and adaptability. Sean Payton's Tactics Key to the Denver Broncos' Streak explores the specific strategies that have fueled the streak, how Payton has tailored his game plan to exploit opponents’ weaknesses, and why his leadership has become the backbone of the Broncos’ resurgence. For Broncos fans, Payton’s tactics aren’t just X’s and O’s—they’re the blueprint for a return to championship glory.

Sean Payton's Tactics Key to the Denver Broncos' Streak begins with his most impactful adjustment: the transformation of the Broncos’ offensive scheme to fit quarterback Bo Nix’s strengths. In 2024, the Broncos relied on a slow-paced, run-heavy approach that clashed with Nix’s ability to make quick decisions and deliver accurate short-to-intermediate passes. Payton changed that, implementing a “quick-rhythm” offense that emphasizes 3- to 5-yard passes to running backs and wide receivers, followed by immediate YAC (yards after catch) to keep defenses off balance. This tactic not only boosted Nix’s completion rate (from 64% in 2024 to 71% in 2025) but also opened up opportunities for deep shots—Nix has thrown 12 touchdown passes of 20+ yards this season, double his 2024 total. The impact was clear in Week 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders: the Broncos ran 72 offensive plays (20 more than their 2024 average), and Nix completed 27 of 32 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns. “Sean’s offense is built around playing to your strengths,” Nix said. “He doesn’t force a system on you—he builds a system around what you do best. That’s why this offense has clicked so quickly.” Payton’s focus on rhythm has also reduced turnovers; the Broncos have committed just 11 turnovers during the streak, the fewest in the AFC over that span.

Another tactical masterstroke from Payton has been his use of “situational substitution” on defense, a strategy that has turned the Broncos’ defense from a liability into a strength. Instead of sticking with fixed defensive packages, Payton and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph rotate players based on the down and distance: for example, using larger defensive linemen on run-heavy downs to clog gaps, and faster edge rushers on passing downs to pressure the quarterback. This flexibility has made the Broncos’ defense unpredictable—opponents have struggled to identify defensive alignments pre-snap, leading to 38 sacks (fourth in the NFL) and 12 interceptions (tied for third) during the streak. In Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns, this tactic paid off: the Broncos switched between 3-4 and 4-3 formations 18 times, confusing Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and forcing three turnovers. “Sean understands that defense isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Joseph said. “He wants us to be adaptable, to change based on what the offense is doing. That’s why we’ve been able to shut down some of the league’s best offenses during this streak.” Sean Payton's Tactics Key to the Denver Broncos' Streak highlights this defensive flexibility as a key reason the Broncos have held six of their last eight opponents to 20 points or fewer.

Sean Payton's Tactics Key to the Denver Broncos' Streak also delves into Payton’s in-game decision-making, particularly his willingness to take calculated risks in high-pressure situations. Unlike many coaches who play it safe late in games, Payton isn’t afraid to call aggressive plays—whether it’s a fourth-down conversion attempt or a trick play—to seize momentum. This was evident in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers: with the Broncos leading 28-17 in the fourth quarter and facing fourth-and-1 from their own 30-yard line, Payton called a “reverse pass” from wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to tight end Greg Dulcich, which gained 12 yards and extended the drive. The Broncos went on to score a touchdown, putting the game out of reach. For the Denver Broncos, these aggressive calls have been a game-changer: they’ve converted 72% of their fourth-down attempts during the streak (well above the league average of 48%), and 10 of their 28 touchdowns have come on plays classified as “high-risk” (trick plays, deep passes, etc.). “Sean doesn’t believe in playing not to lose—he believes in playing to win,” Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich said. “When he calls a risky play, he gives you the confidence to execute it. That’s the difference between winning close games and losing them.”

Payton’s tactics have also focused on exploiting opponents’ weak spots, a strategy that has allowed the Broncos to dominate divisional rivals during the streak. Instead of preparing generic game plans, Payton and his staff spend hours analyzing film to identify specific vulnerabilities—for example, targeting a backup offensive tackle who struggles with speed rushers, or exploiting a linebacker who struggles in coverage. This attention to detail was on full display in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs: the Broncos targeted Chiefs backup right tackle Prince Tega Wanogho 12 times, resulting in three sacks and two forced fumbles. They also exploited Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton’s coverage struggles, throwing six passes to tight end Greg Dulcich against Bolton, resulting in 85 yards and a touchdown. For the Denver Broncos, this focus on opponent scouting has been crucial in divisional play: they’ve won all four AFC West games during the streak, outscoring rivals by an average of 14 points per game. “Sean is a student of the game,” Broncos general manager George Paton said. “He knows every opponent’s strengths and weaknesses better than they know them themselves. That’s why we’ve been able to beat some of the teams that have dominated us in the past.”

Sean Payton's Tactics Key to the Denver Broncos' Streak concludes with a look at how Payton’s tactics have translated to team culture—a factor that’s just as important as X’s and O’s. Payton’s emphasis on discipline (the Broncos have the fewest penalties in the NFL during the streak, with just 4.2 per game) and accountability (players are held responsible for their mistakes, but also praised for their successes) has created a locker room where everyone buys into the system. This culture of trust was evident after Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills, when the Broncos came back from a 14-point halftime deficit to win 28-21. “Sean didn’t yell at us at halftime,” Broncos defensive end Nik Bonitto said. “He just reminded us of the tactics we’d practiced, of the work we’d put in. He believed in us, and that made us believe in ourselves.” For the Denver Broncos, Payton’s tactics are more than just strategies—they’re a way of life. As the team enters the final stretch of the season, with a chance to secure the AFC West title and a top seed in the playoffs, it’s clear that Payton’s vision has turned the Broncos into a force to be reckoned with. In the end, Sean Payton's Tactics Key to the Denver Broncos' Streak isn’t just about football tactics—it’s about leadership, adaptability, and the power of believing in a plan. And for the Broncos, that plan is working better than anyone could have imagined.