Broncos maintain a sense of urgency as they turn the page to Week 17 matchup against the Bengals

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As the Broncos approach the final two weeks of their season, the sense of urgency is high.

But as head coach Sean Payton explained Sunday, it’s no different than any other week — and the Broncos won’t feel any added pressure.

Denver would secure a playoff spot with a Week 17 win over the Bengals or a Week 18 win over the Chiefs, but Payton said the urgency has always been — and will remain — at a high level.

“Every week we play, there’s always pressure,” Payton said Sunday. “…There will always be a sense of urgency. There are many different scenarios. I think the focal point is always the game you’re playing. That’s the only thing you can control.”

Payton’s acknowledgment of other scenarios is a reference to Denver’s other path to clinching Sunday, which would include losses or ties between the Colts, Bengals and Dolphins.

After the 34-27 loss to the Chargers, Payton acknowledged that Denver needed to find a way to improve after the loss and prepare for a game that would allow Denver to control its own destiny. Looking back on Week 16, Payton highlighted the “numerous opportunities” the Broncos had to earn a decisive victory against the Chargers.

“I thought our third-down numbers obviously weren’t where we wanted them to be,” Payton said. “We couldn’t get off the field defensively, and so we couldn’t maintain the lead we had before halftime or early in the second half.”

The Broncos will now turn the page in Cincinnati, as they will face the Bengals on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. MT.

“That’s the next challenge,” Payton said. “There will be a number of things you learn from this game and then you move on.”

Cornerback Riley Moss hasn’t played since injuring his knee in Week 12 against the Raiders, but he was considered a limited participant in the Broncos’ final two walkarounds before Thursday Night Football.”

“We were and have been very excited,” Payton said of Moss’ play this season. “Obviously the guy playing opposite (CB) Patrick (Surtain II) is going to get a lot of business. Throughout training camp, he really rose to the occasion, fought , competed and for a very good part of the This is one of the main reasons why we played so well defensively.

“The sooner the better when we can get him back into the lineup. Hopefully that can happen this weekend.”