If this Denver Broncos playoff run feels familiar, you would be right. In 2015, the Broncos captured the No. 1 seed in the AFC, won two home playoff games, and finished their championship journey at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, against the Carolina Panthers. To make things even more déjà vu, the Panthers are also in this year’s playoffs on the NFC side, and Super Bowl LX will be held in, you guessed it: Santa Clara.
The similarities between the teams are not lost on the 2025 Broncos team, but they are focused on winning the next two games at home, where they have been excellent this year.
“We’ve been in the playoffs,” coach Sean Payton said after Denver’s Week 18 win. “It’s significant and the reason is you can see the light. Two home wins [away from the Super Bowl], and that’s exciting. It’s why you do all of it. It’s why you work late hours. It’s why the players train and lift. It’s a big deal.”
Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga has been here before, and he relishes the opportunity to go out and contend for a title. “For me, it’s just exciting,” said Hufanga. “I’ve been in the playoffs before, but to get a No. 1 seed is huge. You only got two opportunities to get to the Super Bowl, and we have to make the most of it. We get a week of rest, and I think it’s big for the guys that are playing with injuries. It’s a nice week off. We’ll come back and [will] be ready for the Divisional.”
Quarterback Bo Nix is also finding himself in a familiar situation, with unfamiliar positive consequences. “I think it’s the best possible position to be in,” Nix said on Sunday. “Two home games is where we want to be. It’s better than having to play on the road and it’s better than having to play an extra game. I think for us, it’s the best-case scenario. It’ll be good to play here because of our stadium and the atmosphere. I think that’ll apply a little bit more pressure. At the end of the day, it’s an open tournament and it’s going to be a really good opportunity to play really good teams. Each one that comes in here is going to be a tough, physical, competitive game.”
Denver will find out their next opponent over the weekend. The Broncos will play the lowest remaining seed from the wild card round (one of Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Los Angeles or Houston). If Denver wins that matchup, they will host the AFC Championship game with a chance to advance to LX ten years after they won Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Team 2 wins away from returning to Super Bowl
