Rested Denver wary of depleted Buffalo

For the first time in 10 years, the Denver Broncos enter the playoffs as the No.1 seed in the AFC.

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The last time they were the No.1 seed — 2015, Peyton Manning's fourth and final season in Denver — happens to be the last time they won a Super Bowl.

Broncos coach Sean Payton knows the potential benefit of being No.1. When his New Orleans Saints won Super XLIV in 2009, they were the NFC's top seed.

But entering tomorrow’s playoff opener against the visiting Buffalo Bills, Payton is also well aware that regular-season success and the No.1 seed don’t guarantee anything when it comes to the postseason.

“The [bye] is important, but myth No.2 is that [it] ensures the fast start. It doesn’t,” Payton said. “Understand this: We're playing a team that's coming off one of their biggest wins in the last 10 years. We have to earn a fast start and take advantage of the energy, take advantage of the rest. But it has to be done out [on the field].”

Payton also knows the challenges presented by the Bills, who handily beat the Broncos 31-7 in last season’s wildcard round.