Jaguars’ Liam Coen Takes Indirect Shots at Sean Payton After Beating the Broncos in Denver

Sean Payton called the Jaguars a small market NFL team prior to facing them in Mile High in Week 16.

Jaguars’ Liam Coen Takes Indirect Shots at Sean Payton After Beating the Broncos in Denver

Liam Coen and Sean Payton (Image via IMAGO)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Liam Coen and the Jacksonville Jaguars shocked the NFL world with a 34-20 victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 16 Sunday despite being the underdogs. After the game, Coen took a dig at Broncos head coach Sean Payton.

The Broncos were the AFC number one seed before facing the Jags on Sunday. Payton’s team hadn’t lost a game since September and had gone on an eleven-game winning streak.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars had secured five consecutive victories, defeating teams including the Chargers, Cardinals, Jets, Colts, and Titans. However, the Broncos posed the biggest challenge of all, and the Jags passed with flying colors.

After the game, Jags head coach Liam Coen took a slight jab at his counterpart, Sean Payton.

A small market team like us can come into a place like Mile High and get it done.

Liam Coen said

This was a response to Payton’s comments prior to the Week 16 game. Payton called the Jaguars a “smaller market” football team.

We’ve got to be on point. As you look at them [the Jacksonville Jaguars] and you watch the tape. You know, it’s a smaller market, but you see a really good team.

Sean Payton had said

Clearly, Coen wasn’t a fan of the comparison, and it motivated his players to win the game against one of the best teams in the AFC. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 23 passes from 36 attempts for 279 yards, threw 3 touchdowns, and finished with a quarterback rating of 87.4. Lawrence further added 20 yards on the ground and one score on six carries.

Running back Travis Etienne Jr. rushed 16 times for 50 yards, along with catching 4 passes for 16 yards, and scored one touchdown. Wide receiver Parker Washington caught 6 passes for 145 yards and added one TD, while tight end Brenton Strange scored the Jaguars’ third.

For the Broncos, Bo Nix had 28 completions from 47 pass attempts for 352 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. RJ Harvey rushed 7 times for 50 yards and had one touchdown, along with catching 4 passes for 71 yards. Courtland Sutton caught 6 passes for 86 yards and scored one touchdown.

Liam Coen is getting the best out of Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence was considered a failed project before Coen took over in Jacksonville. The former first overall draft pick played just one season of post season football before signing a mouthwatering five-year, $275 million contract extension with $142 million guaranteed in 2024.

Jaguars' Liam Coen Takes Indirect Shots at Sean Payton After Beating the Broncos in Denver
(L) Travis Etienne Jr. and (R) Trevor Lawrence (Image via IMAGO)

The 26-year-old finished with a 2-8 record that year, and his season ended due to a concussion. He barely scratched 2000 yards, 11 touchdowns, and seven interceptions to go along with 26 carries for 119 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.

Lawrence has been in scintillating form, especially during the Jaguars’ winning stretch. In the last four games alone, he has thrown for 1050 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Jags are 11-4 and a win against the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday would be enough for them to secure the AFC South for the first time since 2022. They close out the year by playing the Tennessee Titans in Jacksonville.

Also Read: