The Denver Broncos were leading the Carolina Panthers 28-7 in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game when Broncos coach Sean Payton attempted a fake field goal. Later in the fourth, still leading by three touchdowns, Payton called a trick play that featured a pass from wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
Payton’s antics drew the ire of Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn, who yelled at Denver’s coach after the game for attempting to run up the score.
Carolina coach Dave Canales had a much more diplomatic response.
“They’re just competing,” Canales said after the game. “He’s competing to try to make sure they can stay on the field, run the clock out and end the game in that situation. If that happens to be the call that was set up there, that’s their decision to make.”
Canales was then asked about the reactions of Horn and other Panthers players.
“I think they were a little bit frustrated,” the coach said. “At the same time, we got to put ourselves in a better position by playing well throughout the whole game. I never really fault the other coaches for whatever we’re giving them.”
The Broncos went on to win the game 28-14, improving to 5-3. Carolina dropped to 1-7.
