Broncos are having one of the most unique seasons in NFL history

The Denver Broncos have one of the best records (10-2) in the NFL through 13 weeks, and their ability to win close games has helped get them to where they are with the playoffs quickly approaching.

The Broncos have won nine straight games heading into Sunday's AFC West matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Their last four wins have been anything but comfortable, as the margin of victory in all four was three or fewer points.

As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk pointed out, the 2025 Broncos are one of only two teams in NFL history to win four straight games by three or fewer points. The other was the 1986 New York Giants. In total, the Broncos have six wins this season by three or fewer points. If they win one more game by that margin, they will become just the third team in NFL history to win seven games by three or fewer points.

Sean Payton has no issue with 'escape' wins

Some might argue that the Broncos have played with fire by letting inferior opponents stay in games. Six of their last seven wins have been by three or fewer points, and some of their opponents were not exactly quality teams. Denver beat the New York Jets and New York Giants in Week 6 and Week 7, respectively, by a combined three points. They also just barely snuck by the Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders and Jayden Daniels-less Washington Commanders.

Following Sunday night's 27-26 overtime win against the Commanders, Broncos head coach Sean Payton said he has no problem with so-called "escape" wins.

"We didn’t escape," Payton told reporters. "We won. The journey of a good team’s season involves games like this. And then you believe you can do it again."

Good teams often win close games and find a way to get the job done on the road, and the Broncos have done both all season long. If that trend continues, they will be hosting a playoff game in January. That is all Payton and his players should care about down the stretch.