The Denver Broncos absolutely pummeled the Carolina Panthers in a decisive 28-14 win on Sunday. But listen to Panthers players like cornerback Jaycee Horn tell it, and the Broncos were being unfair about their fourth-quarter approach.
Yeah, I call bull[expletive].
After the game, footage from 9News in Denver captured Horn complaining to the Broncos’ sideline about “trying to run the score up” with the game out of reach late. The Broncos notably ran multiple trick plays and fakes even though it sure seemed like they had the win all but locked up with a sizable lead.
Again, I don’t remotely see the issue here:
Sean Payton was confronted on the field postgame by Carolina's Jaycee Horn, who said he was "trying to run the score up."#9sports #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/PZMvHZk2dh
— 9NEWS Sports Denver (@9NEWSSports) October 27, 2024
On Monday morning, during his Denver press conference, Payton addressed the situation with Horn and other Panthers players.
He had a perfect response: “Play better.”
Sean Payton on Panthers players upset feeling the Broncos ran the score up:
“We’re trying to finish the game the right way. We’re not trying to run up the score”
“Play better” pic.twitter.com/o2YbEVtpBb
— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) October 28, 2024
This is the NFL. A dangerous and physical game with multi-millionaire players and coaches everywhere, with everyone trying to win and get better at all costs. No one owes anyone on the other sideline anything. Full stop.
I understand the Panthers’ frustration over another team “disrespecting” them with a game likely over. I do.
But these aren’t children simply trying to have fun and move on with their lives. These are some of the finest athletes and coaches in the world, devoting so much time and resources to getting one solitary win every single week.
Payton is right. If you don’t want the Broncos to start running trick plays with a double-digit lead, play better. To complain about that is the definition of sour grapes. You’re not owed anything more at this level of football.
