The Denver Broncos are preparing to host their first home playoff game in a decade at Empower Field at Mile High. Head Coach Sean Payton has emphasized the importance of crowd noise, urging fans to start making noise as soon as the Buffalo Bills enter the huddle, not just when quarterback Josh Allen approaches the line of scrimmage.
Payton explained that early and sustained noise can disrupt communication for the opposing team, providing an advantage for Denver’s defense. “There’s a stress that goes with that, too,” Payton said in mid-December. “That’s stressful. Creating that stress is a big advantage.” He described Empower Field at Mile High as one of only a few stadiums in the league capable of reaching such deafening levels and called on fans to maintain high energy throughout each offensive snap by the Bills.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton expressed his excitement about playing his first career home playoff game and highlighted the enthusiasm of Broncos supporters. “I’ve been saying since I got here that we needed to get a home playoff game back in the city,” Sutton said. “The way that the fans have been showing up, Broncos Country has been bumping.
“… I can only imagine what it’s going to be like, first [postseason] home game since 2015. It’s well overdue, and I’m excited to see Broncos Country show up and show out.”
Cornerback Pat Surtain II also commented on how he expects fan support to impact the atmosphere during this important matchup. “I know the atmosphere is going to be crazy,” Surtain said. “The stadium is going to be rocking at [Empower Field at] Mile High, and I’m looking forward to it. … I can already feel the magnitude of it and how electric that stadium is going to be. It’s going to be exciting.”
Despite hopes for strong fan involvement, Payton cautioned that playing at home does not guarantee victory; during Wild Card Weekend, most road teams secured wins. “We have to be ready to play our best game,” Payton said.
Quarterback Bo Nix shared his anticipation for an intense environment: “I expect it to be extremely loud,” Nix said. “I expect it to be a great environment.
“… Something tells me it’ll be kicked up a notch, just because it’s got ‘playoffs’ on it.”
If successful in leveraging their home-field advantage—where they hold a 17-5 postseason record—the Broncos could advance further into this year’s playoffs.
