If feeling a little old, you may want to look away. … Broncos head coach Sean Payton is only 61 but three years after one of the most memorable end zone celebrations in league history, Payton coached Jaycee Horn‘s dad with the Saints. However, after Sunday’s 28-14 loss in Denver, the Panthers’ cornerback wasn’t thinking about Payton in a positive light.
“Trying to run the score up,” Horn could be heard shouting at Payton in the immediate moments after the final whistle, in video captured by KUSA-TV. Payton turned to shout something back at Horn just prior to shaking the hand of Dave Canales.
Apparently, Horn was upset because after Denver (5-3) took a 28-7 lead on Jaleel McLaughlin’s 9-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, Payton ran a pair of trick plays in the final period.
“I coached his father,’’ Payton said. “So I was yelling back at him. I don’t know what the exchange was but his father I enjoyed coaching. He was frustrated. I think he was yelling at one of our other players. I like him; he’s a good player.”
Horn might be a good player, but he might not make a good coach. That’s because Payton used those calls – both fourth-down attempts — to milk the clock and keep Carolina’s offense off the field in a league where anything can happen (google search #DanielsMiracleVictory).
Payton was also upset after the game, but not because of Horn’s accusation of unsportsmanlike play-calling.
“I wish we would have finished better,’’ Payton said after Courland Sutton fumbled at Carolina’s 1-yard line on a fourth-quarter reception.
Bryce Young then marched Carolina (1-7) on a 98-yard touchdown drive to cut Denver’s lead in half, 28-14. But in Payton’s mind, Denver would’ve had more points had the Broncos not given away the ball on fumbles by Sutton and Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
“I said this: That was not a good offense we played. It’s just the truth. We expected that and we’re going to see a lot better teams.”
Better teams starting Sunday, when Denver visits Baltimore and MVP candidate Lamar Jackson. The Ravens (5-3) are an angry team fresh off their first loss in five games. Denver, meanwhile, has won five of its last six after an 0-2 start. The Broncos are also 3-1 on the road.
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