“We don’t care” – Bo Nix and Sutton re-echo Sean Payton Sentiment ahead of KC clash

The Denver Broncos have an easy task in Week 18. The Broncos will qualify for the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season if they defeat the Chiefs. They would need assistance (losses) from the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals if they lost.

Because of “NIR (Coaching)” designations, the Chiefs have reported nine players as either doubtful or out.

Sean Payton, the head coach of the Broncos, shares his players’ lack of concern about the Chiefs’ plan.

“We can’t control any of that. And at the beginning of the week, that’s the message,” Payton told reporters on January 3. “Listen – and I said it at the start of the week – you go 15-1, you do what’s best for your team. Andy [Reid]’s done this a long time and been very successful. And so one of the things I think you learn from experience is the things that you can control on your team being ready. And so that’s what our focus has been.”

“There’s a scheme offensively, there’s a scheme defensively, and, sure, there’ll be some different players in different positions,” Payton said. “But look, they played this same game a year ago, beat the Chargers. So we’ve got to be ready to focus on the Denver Broncos.”

Payton’s Broncos beat the Chiefs in Week 8 of the 2023 season 24-9. Since Patrick Mahomes started playing for the Chiefs full-time, that is the team’s second-lowest point total.

In Week 10 of this season, the Chiefs prevailed in their most recent encounter.

The Broncos’ decision to sit or possibly rest their key players is noteworthy because KC has won 17 of the last 18 meetings between the two teams. However, the Broncos are not going into the game with a low opinion of the Chiefs.

The Broncos Players Share Sean Payton’s Opinions

During practice week, Payton praised the players’ approach, describing it as “outstanding.” The thoughts of the head coach regarding the game were mirrored in the remarks made by Bo Nix and Courtland Sutton during the week.

“We don’t care,” Sutton told reporters on January “We have to play the game to win, that’s all that matters.

“We don’t care about none of the other stuff. Whoever has on shoulder pass and is wearing red, white, and yellow, we have to beat them boys. We don’t care who shows up and plays. We don’t care who sits. Who doesn’t play, who does play. We don’t care about any of that. The Broncos have to show up Sunday and win the game.”

It makes sense for the Chiefs to allow the Broncos to advance to the postseason.

“Nobody wants to see Joe Burrow.”

Nix was of a similar mindset as Sutton, though.

“We’re going to go like they’re going to play everybody,” the Broncos QB told media members on January 1. “We have to be ready to go, and we have to compete with whoever they put on the field.”

Payton’s note about the 13-12 loss the Chargers suffered at the Chiefs’ hands in 2023 is both poignant and informative. The Broncos have already lost one game to the Chiefs this season after blowing a two-score lead and having a field goal blocked.