The Denver Broncos are coming off a slog of a game in Week 6 against the New York Jets. After a long four quarters, the Broncos won 13-11. The offense couldn't get much going, but the Jets' offense was even worse, netting -10 passing yards.
But the Broncos won, and now move to 4-2, tied atop the AFC West with the Los Angeles Chargers. After their Week 6 win, the Broncos are returning to Denver to play host to the New York Giants, making NFL history as the first team to play in the Mountain or Pacific time zone after a London game.
This history was something that Broncos head coach Sean Payton lobbied for in the offseason when the schedule was being made. But why would Payton want his team to play the week after a London matchup? Dianna Russini of The Athletic shared the reason, and it's based on strong tendencies in NFL history.
Why Sean Payton lobbied the Broncos to play in Week 7 at home after their Week 6 London game
"Payton and GM George Paton actually asked the league not to give them a bye after the trip overseas, at a point when most teams want the rest." Russini writes. "The Broncos, who returned late Sunday night after beating the Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, preferred a break later in the year, and they'll get it in Week 12."
That later rest wasn't the only reason why the Broncos wanted to push to play in Week 7 instead of taking a bye. After some analysis from the Broncos' analytics staff, the decision for Denver became clear.
"Their research found that teams returning from London and playing at home the following week are 12-4 all-time." Russini writes. "Payton liked those odds."
With the odds in Denver's favor, Payton and Paton lobbied for their London game to be followed by a home matchup. But in the process, the Broncos are making some history.
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Their Week 7 home game against the Giants will be the first time that a team not in the Eastern time zone will be playing a home game after a London game the week prior.
Teams are 12-4 coming off a London matchup when playing at home, and now, the Broncos will look to add to that statistic, making it 13-4, and maintaining their pace atop the AFC West.
The Giants aren't the easy team they were at the beginning of the year, as they're coming off a strong win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football. So, not only are the Broncos becoming the first team not in the Eastern time zone to host a game after a London matchup, but the Giants are benefiting from a mini-bye.
Payton is hoping the offseason research pays off for the Broncos in Week 7. A win would not only justify their research and history-making home game but also their decision to push their bye week until later in the year.
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