Sean Payton says ‘no shell video games on the scoreboard’ at Empower Field

Sean Payton will not be right here for the Empower Field scoreboard trivia.

Shuffle caps? Kiss cams? This date in historical past?

The time for all of that’s lengthy gone, in accordance with the Broncos head coach.

Payton is, after all, centered on getting his Denver group ready for a Week 18 sport with actual stakes. If the Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers — taking part in with out quarterback Justin Herbert and certain a number of different starters — on Sunday on what’s slated to be a near-60-degree afternoon, they may seize the No. 1 seed within the AFC and homefield benefit all through the playoffs.

That benefit, Payton and the Broncos imagine, is substantial. The altitude issues. So, too, does the gang noise.

So if the Broncos are in enterprise mode, Payton needs the gang and the Empower Field sport operations people to be, too.

The head coach has stated beforehand and reiterated Wednesday that the hot button is for the gang noise to peak when the opposing offense is within the huddle fairly than as soon as the group will get to the road of scrimmage or after a play.

“I say this — I’m not being critical — but earlier. Earlier,” Payton stated of the noise peaking. “So, no shell video games on the scoreboard. No ‘follow the Bronco head’ or any of that. When they’re getting within the huddle — deafening.

“That’s the 12th man. There can be no better one. (Texas) A&M coined that phrase and then the Seahawks bought it from them. It really fits. That is what’s so exciting about this game and then what a win in this game can do for the next couple of games.”

Players and coaches have all stated that the previous two video games specifically at Empower Field — the Week 15 win in opposition to Green Bay and a Week 16 loss to Jacksonville — have been among the many loudest they’ve heard the stadium.

“It definitely feels like a playoff atmosphere and I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like during the playoffs,” All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II stated. “So to have that crowd noise and have that crowd, it positively offers plenty of power and plenty of momentum transferring ahead.

“It’s fun to play out there. It’s a surreal experience to be able to have a fan base that cheers you on and supports you in that way. Definitely appreciate all the fans and the support in that regard.”

Reserve defensive lineman Jordan Jackson pointed again to security P.J. Locke’s private foul for hitting Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence on a play that the officiating crew tried to blow useless for instance. Almost everyone on each traces of scrimmage stored taking part in and Lawrence did, too, momentarily. Locke charged into the backfield and rocked the quarterback, drawing a penalty.

“It’s funny, because we were all standing there (on the sideline) and none of us heard the whistle,” Jackson, who was inactive for the sport, instructed The Denver Post. “So it was like, ‘what happened?’”

If the Broncos beat the Chargers, Denver goes to not solely get every week of relaxation but additionally is assured that the divisional spherical and, with a win, the AFC Championship Game, will likely be performed in these varieties of circumstances.

“It’s very telling when opponents come through here, they have a tough time,” Surtain stated. “That would be huge for us as a team and carrying that momentum moving forward, for sure.”

The Broncos have swelled to two-touchdown favorites over the Chargers because the betting traces opened Sunday after L.A. head coach Jim Harbaugh introduced Monday that Herbert and certain others is not going to play. The Chargers have clinched a playoff spot however are certain to complete someplace between the No. 5 and No. 7 seed. They know they’re occurring the street to play subsequent weekend and have determined to prioritize the well being of a number of key gamers.