Last month, the Denver Broncos had a hand in NFL history as they were part of the first-ever Thursday Night Football flex. Denver’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers that was originally scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 22 was moved up to Thursday, Dec. 19 in a historic flex announced last month.
Broncos coach Sean Payton did not mind the decision — in fact, he allowed it — and he expects the team’s fans to be well-represented at SoFi Stadium.
“You have to be flexible and be able to adjust,” Payton explained Monday. “If you are wanting to play for significant games in December and January then just tell us where and when, or else you can play at the 2:30 or 2:25 time slot your whole career. I choose not to play at the 2:25 p.m. time slot or the 12 Noon time slot depending on where you’re at. Let’s play some of those other games.
“I think a lot was made of it when it was flexed, but it made a lot of sense. They were flexing a team out that has that Christmas week schedule and flexing us in which gave us additional time. We travel well to L.A., I think it is a perfect trip for a Denver fan.”
The Broncos have historically had their fans take over Chargers games in L.A., something Payton first noticed when he was taking a break from coaching two years ago.
“The first time I was exposed to it [was] when I wasn’t coaching,” Payton said on Nov. 22. “I was working with Fox. I was invited to a night game and it was the Chargers vs. the Broncos in a real close game. It might’ve been an overtime game in fact, 2022. I was with somebody in a suite, and that’s the first time it hit me where I looked around and I felt like it was 70-30 [percent] Broncos.
“I saw the silent snap count right away from the home team. So we need them. We have a great fan base, and when you’re able to… You’re going to have a few of these weeks where it’s going to be extremely loud. We prepare for every game on the road, but it’s fantastic with the way they travel.”
Denver rookie quarterback Bo Nix has repeatedly praised the team’s fans this season.
“The edge is just our fans,” Nix said on Dec. 11, speaking specifically of playing at home. “I think Broncos Country has done a really good job of showing up, and being there, and being loud, and making the home environment what you brag about. I think that’s going to continue. I hope it continues. I hope they make it even louder and even more of a crazier environment, a tougher place to play for opponents because that means a lot.
“It helps us. Homefield advantage is a real thing. It’s just a comfort level for us, and then you make it uncomfortable for them. We have to continue to play well and keep them in it. Then at the same time, it’s really good to have great fans, loud fans and create a great environment.”
The Broncos will play a “road” game on Thursday, but if past matchups are any indication of what to expect this week, the showdown with the Chargers might feel like a home game for Denver.
