Sean Payton stopped the question cold. In November 2023, the Broncos had won five straight and just polished off a bully-ball win against Cleveland to get above .500 for the first time all season. At 6-5, they had legitimate playoff aspirations. Quarterback Russell Wilson had 17 touchdowns and no picks in the red zone. When a question about that performance came the coach’s way, he did not let it stand. “Let’s back up a second,” Payton said then.