Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has only opened the season once at Empower Field at Mile High.
That came in his debut with the Broncos in 2023, an unfortunate 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
However, traditionally the team plays well at home in September, and in large part that could be due to the altitude in the Mile High City.
On Friday, before the Broncos get ready to face the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 on Sunday, Payton was asked about using the elevation as an advantage. Road teams aren’t really ready for the thin air they’re about to breathe.
“I think altitude every week. Before we knew all the specifics, when we would come here, we thought let’s get in Friday. The science says 10 days before, which is impossible. And if you can’t get in 10 days before, as late as possible,” Sean Payton said.
Essentially, the Titans can’t possibly be ready for what’s coming. It’s logistically unrealistic for them to be here all week. They’ll fly in some point in the next 24 hours, and there’s no way their bodies can adjust.
Payton knows that, along with Broncos Country, are both big advantages.
“There’s two things, it’s our home crowd that’s got a great tradition. And then on top of that, the actual, physical (altitude). It’s not a mental thing, it’s a real thing,” Payton said.
Sean Payton mentioned this is why Olympic athletes will train at altitude before competing at sea level. He closed the answer with the message he delivered to his players as Friday practice wrapped up.
“We’re playing at home and we’ve got to make this the hardest place to play,” Payton said.
That would help the Broncos not only get to 1-0 on the season, but hopefully have a special year at home. With nine games in Denver on the schedule, they’ve got to capitalize.
Sean Payton knows that — now it’s up to the players to deliver this Sunday and beyond.