ENGLEWOOD — Sean Payton is not concerned about sack totals.

The Broncos coach made it clear when confronted with an unusual reality.

Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto has not sacked the opposing QB in three consecutive weeks. He sits at 12.5 for the season entering the regular season finale Sunday afternoon against the Chargers. The Broncos have two sacks over the last three games.

“I’m not worried about the sacks,” Payton said earlier this week. “I’m worried about caging the quarterback (and) rushing him properly. So, we’re not focused on the sack numbers. Those can actually be numbers that help a quarterback climb up in the pocket.”

Individual sacks, depending on the scheme, are trumped by team goals.

“With players, you have to sometimes remind them the best thing that we’ve done in our rush group is rush together,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said after Thursday’s practice at Broncos Park. “It’s about rushing together and everyone eats.”

Bonitto took personal responsibility for the Week 16 home loss to the Jaguars. He failed to sack quarterback Trevor Lawrence and told reporters: “I played (expletive) today.” Yet Bonitto understands how simply caging the quarterback can be equally important to sacks.

“That’s kind of why we have the record we do this year and just the success we have on defense,” Bonitto told The Denver Gazette on Thursday. “It’s making sure that we’re keeping a lot of these quarterbacks in the pocket and not letting them extend plays and make plays outside the pocket. … The best way to say it is just rushing smart.”

Backup quarterback Trey Lance — a former No. 3 overall draft pick (2021, 49ers) — will start for the Chargers on Sunday with Justin Herbert and other starters resting for the playoffs. Lance offers a dual-threat skill set as a runner and passer. It only emphasizes the need for Denver to cage the quarterback.

“(Lance) was a first-round pick for a reason,” Joseph said. “He’s athletic. He can run. That’s the coaches’ theme this week about rushing a guy the right way because he can hurt us with his legs. I thought the kid we played last week (Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun) was athletic, also, and he got away a couple of times. Not bad, but not good enough to our standard.”

O-line depth

The Broncos have relied on offensive line depth for much of the season.

Alex Palczewski filled in at left guard when Ben Powers went on injured reserve with a biceps injury. Palczewski and Powers have rotated in recent weeks. Alex Forsyth is currently the starting center with Luke Wattenberg on IR (shoulder).

“I think it’s been huge,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “I can remember back in training camp working on our offensive line and saying: ‘I don’t know if I’ve ever been part of a group that’s as deep as we are.’ I’m not surprised by the way that those guys have responded to some of the injuries. I think it’s a credit to just the way this program’s been built (and) the scouting department finding those guys.

Briefly

LB Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) was the only Broncos player on the 53-man roster to not practice Thursday. … Denver is wearing their throwback “Orange Crush” inspired uniforms on Sunday. … The Chargers playing reserves creates a challenge for special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi. On Thursday, he said: “Special teams is very matchup driven and who’s playing where.”