The Carolina Panthers lost Sunday while visiting the Denver Broncos. It was a 28-14 loss, but it was essentially non-competitive after the first quarter. Sean Payton appeared to make some disparaging comments about the Panthers after the game.

“I’ll sleep well. Look, we have a big game this week against a much better team.”

– Sean Payton

Sean Payton was asked about the key fumbles that played a role in the game’s outcome. The first led to the Panthers’ first score and an early 7-0 Carolina lead. The second came on the goal line and prevented a score from blowing the game away late in the fourth quarter.

But Payton said he’s not too worried about that and is instead more concerned about the team’s next game against a team he said is significantly better than Carolina. At 5-3, the Baltimore Ravens are certainly better than the 1-7 Panthers, but that’s not a comment a coach usually makes against his opponent.

Payton has seen a lot of the Panthers over the years. His win Sunday was his 18th against them, the most by any coach against Carolina. It’s also not the first time Payton has made disappointing but not inaccurate statements about teams or people.

After Nathaniel Hackett was fired and Payton was brought in, he said he is “one of the worst coaching jobs in NFL history.” It may not be incorrect, but then again it’s not a comment a coach should make about his predecessor.

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