On Sunday, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who previously led the New Orleans Saints, took the opportunity to throw a playful jab at his former NFC South rival, the Atlanta Falcons. His comment came in response to an article from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which discussed the Falcons’ aspirations to follow the successful blueprint established by the Los Angeles Rams.
Payton’s reaction was concise and humorous, as he shared an upside-down smiling face emoji in the comments, drawing both amusement and support from Broncos and Saints fans alike. While the Falcons are yet to respond to Payton’s remark, the moment illustrates the lingering competitive spirit between the former coach and the Atlanta franchise, a rivalry that spanned from 2006 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2021.
Interestingly, during his year away, Payton worked as an offensive coordinator at Liberty Christian High School in Texas, a departure that even inspired a movie featuring Kevin James. His tenure there was not merely a charitable endeavor; it was part of his ongoing quest to improve his formidable 21-9 record against the Falcons.
With the tension between Payton and the Falcons still tangible, the anticipation is building for their next matchup. Fans can expect both teams to approach the game with renewed intensity as they strive to reclaim victories and solidify their standings in the league.
Since being hired in 2023 after a season off, Payton has taken the reins of the Broncos, succeeding Nathaniel Hackett, who had a short-lived tenure of just 15 games. As the new season unfolds, the dynamics of the NFC South rivalry may continue to evolve, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.