It wasn’t long ago that the Denver Broncos’ 2023 season was dead in the water. Denver had started the season 1-5 and seemingly had no hope in sight. That’s what makes their recent turnaround, featuring a five-game winning streak with wins over the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, so remarkable. Payton aimlessly drove around for sushi only months ago, and now he’s at the helm of the NFL’s hottest team.
As Denver starts to push for an AFC playoff spot, Sean Payton credited another organization for helping him revitalize football at Mile High. In a Tuesday press conference, Payton highlighted the recent exploits of the Detroit Lions. While the Lions are currently the heavy favorites to win the NFC North, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, they started 1-6 last year before getting inexplicably hot, winning 8 of their last 10 games, and changing the fortunes of their franchise.
Payton said that the slow start in Detroit served as inspiration for the Broncos to channel in 2023. Who would’ve ever thought?
#Broncos HC Sean Payton was asked on October 18, when they were 1-5, what his message to the locker room was.
He said they need to get inspiration from the #Lions, who started 1-6 last year and then turned it around.
Since Payton said that, Denver has won 5 in a row and are now… pic.twitter.com/TJhKAwpEGT
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 28, 2023
While the Lions are a great example to follow for anyone, Payton is probably more than happy he gets to talk them up specifically. Dan Campbell is one of the first branches of Payton’s coaching tree, having served as an assistant head coach and tight ends coach for half a decade in New Orleans before taking the Lions’ job.
Now, everything’s come full circle for these two as the Broncos fight for the postseason while the Lions try to clinch their first division title in roughly three decades. How poetic.