**Payton Defends Controversial Fake Field Goal in Broncos' Win Over Panthers**

In the fourth quarter of Sunday's game, with the Denver Broncos leading the Carolina Panthers by 21 points, Broncos head coach Sean Payton made a surprising call. Opting for a fake field goal, he had wide receiver Courtland Sutton throw a pass to fullback Michael Burton, successfully converting another fourth down. This play decision didn't sit well with some Panthers players, including cornerback Jaycee Horn, who was seen on camera accusing the Broncos of trying to inflate the score, even though Denver ultimately triumphed 28-14.

While Payton dismissed these complaints immediately after the game, he addressed them further during his Monday press conference. He explained that his decision was motivated by a desire to "win a football game and learn to close out a game," and suggested that the Panthers should focus on improving their performance if they want to prevent such strategies. "Listen, I said it [Sunday] night, we're trying to finish the game the right way. We're not trying to run up the score on anyone. It's the National Football League. I've been in games with a 28-point lead in the fourth quarter and lost, so we're trying to finish," Payton said, reported by Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com.

Payton’s comments, which some might view as dismissive toward the Panthers' offense, indicate that he didn't perceive a significant risk of losing their lead. Nonetheless, he emphasized the importance of his team maintaining maximum effort until the very end. This approach, as Payton sees it, is integral to ensuring victory and fostering a competitive edge amongst his players.