WATCH: Panthers CB Jaycee Horn cries to Sean Payton for ‘running up the score’ in 28-14 loss to the Broncos

Drew Smith
October 28, 2024
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Jaycee Horn had some strong words for Sean Payton after the Panthers’ 28-14 loss to the Broncos on Sunday, but it’s hard not to roll your eyes at the cornerback’s complaints.

With Denver up 28-7 and facing a 4th-and-8 from the Panthers’ 42-yard line, the Broncos lined up for what looked like a 60-yard field goal attempt. But Payton dialed up some trickery instead, with punter Riley Dixon tossing a short pass to tight end Lucas Krull.

The Panthers saw it coming and stopped the play cold, resulting in a turnover on downs.

Despite snuffing out the trick play, Horn was still upset after the game, confronting Payton and accusing him of “trying to run up the score.”

Horn’s frustration might be understandable given the scoreline, but let’s get real—this is the NFL. If you don’t want teams trying trick plays, maybe don’t let them build a 21-point lead.

Sean Payton was confronted on the field postgame by Carolina’s Jaycee Horn, who said he was “trying to run the score up.”

Jaycee Horn cries to Broncos’ HC Sean Payton for “running up the score”

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

Jaycee Horn had some words for Sean Payton pic.twitter.com/v0r3IB6dSZ
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) October 27, 2024

If anything, Horn’s reaction comes off as more of a deflection from the fact that the Panthers were completely outclassed for most of the game.

I wonder if there was anything that Jaycee Horn, an NFL player, could have done to stop the Broncos from scoring? Bo Nix was out there looking like prime John Elway, completing 28-of-37 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns but sure, I guess the real issue is that Sean Payton wanted the Broncos to “run up the score” on the Panthers, right?

It’s a bit rich to cry foul about “disrespect” when your team was outscored 28-7 after jumping out to an early lead. Horn and the Panthers had 60 minutes to make a statement on the field, and complaining about a play call isn’t going to change the result.

When asked about the postgame exchange, Payton stayed composed, simply noting that he used to coach Jaycee’s father, Joe Horn, before calling Jaycee a “good player.” You can’t blame Payton for shrugging it off—he’s been in the league long enough to know that if you want to avoid the other team’s antics, you have to actually put them away.

A no-nonsense answer pic.twitter.com/qZZC4p7Muw
— Ari M (@AriMeirov) October 28, 2024

At the end of the day, Horn’s complaints just look like sour grapes. In the NFL, you either make plays or you don’t. It’s that simple. Maybe next time, instead of getting heated about a trick play, Horn should focus on keeping his team from getting blown out in the first place.