Sean Payton doesn’t mince words, and after Sunday’s 28-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers, he had a few choice ones to offer. The Denver Broncos head coach stirred up controversy with a pair of trick plays in the fourth quarter, igniting a post-game clash with Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn, who accused Payton of trying to “run up the score.” But Payton’s response was as blunt as it gets: “Play better.”
The Panthers struck first with a promising opening touchdown, but after that, the Broncos slammed the door, scoring 28 unanswered points and leaving Carolina in the dust. Yet, even with a comfortable lead late in the game, Payton called up the trickery. The first instance saw Denver line up for a long 60-yard field goal, only to execute a fake that fell short of a first down with about 10 minutes left on the clock. Later, the Broncos ran a fake punt with 4:30 remaining, pulling off a 28-yard pass that kept their drive alive, only for it to end near the Panthers’ goal line.
After the game, Horn confronted Payton, reportedly calling the moves “disrespectful” and accusing him of unsportsmanlike tactics. But Payton was unapologetic on Monday, offering a direct response to ESPN that effectively dismissed Horn’s accusations. “We’re not trying to run up the score on anyone. It’s the National Football League,” Payton declared. “I’ve been in games with a 28-point lead in the fourth quarter and lost, so we’re trying to finish… Play better.”
For Payton, this wasn’t about humiliating an opponent; it was about ensuring his team could close out a game. “We’re trying to extend a drive,” he said. “I’m throwing the ball to my fullback… not necessarily expecting a touchdown. We’re trying to win a football game and learn to close out a game.”
That “play better” zinger underscores Payton’s no-nonsense coaching philosophy, and it’s advice the 1-7 Panthers might want to consider as they dig themselves out of one of the worst starts in the league. Payton’s Broncos, meanwhile, improved to 5-3 and look like a team hitting its stride. With his response, Payton has made one thing clear: in his playbook, finishing strong isn’t about running up the score; it’s about showing no mercy in the NFL’s cutthroat arena.
As tensions simmer, it’s safe to say the Broncos-Panthers matchup just got a little more personal—and fans can expect more fireworks the next time these teams meet.
