Sunday provided further affirmation that Sean Payton is one of the best head coaches of his generation. Trailing the Kansas City Chiefs, 24-13 in the fourth quarter, the Denver Broncos cracked down defensively and got the explosive offense they needed to leave Empower Field with a 28-24 victory. They are now in sole possession of first place in the AFC West, and Payton is now a member of the 200-win club (including playoffs).

The Super Bowl 44 champion needs only two wins to leap past Mike Tomlin and Dan Reeves, which would put him alone in 10th place on the all-time list. If Denver continues its ascension, he can potentially jump Marty Schottenheimer (205) before the end of the regular season.

When combining the importance of taking control of the division with the historical significance of earning 200 Ws, there is an overwhelming sense of gratitude filling Mile High right now.

“It’s all the people and all the players,” Payton said after the game, per The Denver Post's Troy Renck. “I shared with them before the game. I was away in 2012. They tried to kill me. Couldn’t talk to anyone. It was crazy. In 2022 I was doing the network stuff and everyone of us has to give off this thing at some point. And we are all better from having been on it.

“It was emotional. The timing of the game. Screaming at {defensive coordinator Vance Joseph}. Then hugging Vance. There’s nothing like it. The little bit of the curse in this. I hate losing probably more than I love winning.”

Love or hate him, Broncos' Sean Payton has etched his name into NFL history

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Payton oozes intensity and is one of the most polarizing coaches of his time. He referenced his 2012 suspension, which was doled out for the infamous New Orleans Saints' Bountygate scandal. He spent 15 seasons with the organization before eventually agreeing to lead the Broncos in 2023.

The 2006 AP NFL Coach of the Year quickly dug the franchise out of the massive financial hole that Russell Wilson's $245 million contract helped create ($165 million guaranteed and $85 million dead cap hit). He led the squad to the No. 1 seed and AFC championship game in his third season at the helm, and if not for Bo Nix's ankle fracture, Sean Payton may have one or two more wins to his name.

There is no need to entertain hypotheticals, however. He has already accomplished plenty in reality. Denver (6-2) will square off with the sub-.500 Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and winless Los Angeles Chargers before the campaign ends, so the 62-year-old will have the opportunity to pile up plenty of more wins.