Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton addressed criticism about his playcalling in the 28-14 win over the Carolina Panthers, defending his team’s late-game decisions. In the fourth quarter, with the Broncos up 28-7, Payton opted for a fake field goal attempt instead of a 60-yard kick and allowed wide receiver Courtland Sutton to complete a pass on fourth down to extend a drive. These calls sparked controversy, leading to Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn confronting Payton after the game, accusing him of trying to “run up the score.”
Horn clarified his actions afterward, explaining he didn’t mean to target Payton personally. Rather, he was frustrated with what he felt were unnecessary trick plays late in the game. Horn stated he respected the Broncos’ right to make those calls but felt they were disrespectful given the game’s context. He explained that while his comments were directed toward the Denver sideline, there was no direct confrontation between him and Payton, who stepped in as Horn argued with some of the Broncos players.
The Panthers’ head coach, Dave Canales, responded to the fake field goal diplomatically, saying it was within Denver’s right to play how they chose as they closed out the game. Still, the playcalls led to frustration among other Carolina players, who also felt the Broncos’ approach was unnecessary. Payton responded to these complaints by stating that he wasn’t focused on running up the score but rather on finishing the game with a strong performance. His experience, he explained, has shown that leads can quickly disappear, making it necessary to play with caution until the end.
Denver’s key plays included punter Riley Dixon’s pass on a fake field goal attempt with just over 10 minutes remaining, gaining three yards. Later, a fourth-down conversion saw Sutton passing to fullback Michael Burton, resulting in a 28-yard gain to extend the Broncos’ drive, though the play ultimately ended in a fumble on Carolina’s 1-yard line. Payton explained that he sees these plays as part of building a “winning personality” within the Broncos, stressing that closing out games is essential to the team’s growth and confidence as they aim to overcome their recent playoff drought.
Reflecting on Denver’s overall season, Payton pointed out that the team’s 5-3 record is their best start since 2016. He acknowledged that developing a confident team requires demonstrating ability under pressure, a philosophy that informs his decisions. Payton also noted his focus on internal accountability, referencing last season’s 70-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Rather than attributing blame, Payton used the loss as a teaching moment, reinforcing his commitment to strengthening his team’s performance and mindset as they push toward playoff contention.
