Whether Broncos Country likes it or not, head coach Sean Payton is not ready to wave the white flag just yet. At 1-5 with the worst defense in football and an inconsistent offense, Payton has vowed to fight tooth and nail to dig his team out of the hole they have put themselves in.

Even though the odds are stacked against Denver, Payton remains optimistic that the Broncos can turn it around. Could this be typical coach speak? Sure, but Payton’s hope is inspired by last year’s Detroit Lions team that started the season 1-6 before winning eight of their last 10 games and finishing 9-8.

That momentum has carried into 2023, as Detroit is one of the best teams in football with a 5-1 record.

“You keep fighting,” Payton said. “There’s a grit element involved. Some mental toughness (is) involved. Pretty soon, here they are at the end of the season.”

Could the Broncos pull off a similar turnaround? Their schedule doesn’t make it easy. After Sunday’s game against Green Bay, they face the Chiefs at home and the Bills on the road after the bye week. They still have to play the Chargers twice, an elite Browns defense and the Lions. But anything is possible, and that’s the mentality Payton is taking.

“We’re kind of in that position. We’re bowing up, and we have to,” he said.

If Denver wants to save its season, winning at Mile High is step one. The Broncos are 0-3 at Empower Field, with each loss coming against winnable opponents. The Packers might be one-point favorites, but they have struggled offensively under starting quarterback Jordan Love.

In each home loss to the Raiders, Commanders and Jets, the Broncos held a lead before watching it flip by the time the game clock hit zero.

At some point, enough is enough.

“I say it every week, and it’s frustrating, but it’s important (to win at home),” safety Justin Simmons said. “You just gotta get back in the win column. It’s been tough, but we really want to give the fans a home win.”