Mike Vrabel Talks Up ‘Proven Winner’ Sean Payton Before Patriots-Broncos Clash

Mike Vrabel will look to block Sean Payton’s path to another Super Bowl when the New England Patriots play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

New England’s road to Santa Clara runs through Mile High, and Vrabel must prepare his team for one of the NFL’s most accomplished head coaches. Payton will seek his 195th career win (playoffs included) on Sunday after improving the Broncos’ victory total in each of his three seasons since returning to the sideline.

Vrabel commended Payton’s track record during Thursday’s press conference.

“Very successful football coach,” Vrabel said. “Tough to defend for, tough to defend against. I think he does a great job with his personnel and his scheme. … Certainly how he’s using the weapons offensively in Denver. You have to prepare for a lot.”

Vrabel noted that Payton has adapted his philosophies without abandoning his key principles since first coaching the New Orleans Saints 20 years ago.

“I think he’s had his core concepts that he’s had for a lot of years, and then he’s just continued to add on to that as some of the game has changed and some of the ideas and the schemes have evolved,” Vrabel said. “So, I think that’s pretty unique.”

Payton has dialed up some bold calls, most notably a successful onside kick to start the second half of Super Bowl XLIV. Vrabel doesn’t need to worry about that possibility, as NFL teams must now declare an onside kick beforehand, but he discussed preparing for any other tricks up his opponent’s sleeve.

“Certainly the timing of when he’s called some of those things has been impressive,” Vrabel said. “And then, again, when you call those, it’s up to the players to make them work. They’ve done a good job of making those plays work, but the timing in which some of those things have been called has been good.”

The Patriots are a heavy road favorite to beat the Broncos because of Bo Nix’s season-ending ankle injury suffered last weekend. However, Vrabel isn’t discounting Payton and the AFC West champions.

“His record clearly speaks for itself,” Vrabel stated. ‘Tough challenge. He’s a proven winner in this league.”