Sean Payton’s Two-Word Response to Frustrated Playe
Following the Denver Broncos’ 28-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers, head coach Sean Payton addressed the controversy surrounding his interaction with Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn. After the game, Horn accused Payton of “running up the score,” a claim Payton denied knowing about at the time.
On October 28, during a teleconference, Payton clarified, “We’re trying to finish the game the right way,” emphasizing that they weren’t aiming to increase the score unnecessarily. He referenced experiences of losing leads in similar situations, stating, “We’re trying to close the game out.”
Payton expressed his desire for the Broncos players to adopt a winning mindset, asserting that confidence stems from demonstrated performance. He noted the importance of improving in various areas, reiterating the goal was simply to win, not to embarrass the opponent.
Despite a fake field goal attempt with a comfortable lead, Payton insisted that the team’s focus was on securing the win. Panthers head coach Dave Canales defended Payton’s approach, stating both teams were just competing hard. Horn later clarified his comments, indicating he was actually addressing Broncos players and felt their style of play was “disrespectful.”
After the game, Payton was critical of his own team’s performance, particularly regarding turnovers, stating, “We can’t turn the ball over the way we did.” He emphasized the need for improvement to succeed against tougher opponents.