Week 3 of the NFL had the word “karma” attached to Sean Payton courtesy of multiple NFL fans.
The Denver Broncos head coach was on the receiving end of one of the worst defeats in league history: a 70-20 onslaught at the hands of the Miami Dolphins. With that point total, the Dolphins become the first team since Washington in 1966 to score 70 or more during a regular-season game.
But fans made sure Payton was reminded of “karma” over some past comments involving former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett.
Fans and Analysts Rip Sean Payton Following Disastrous Outing
As NFL fans and analysts were digesting seeing 70 points on the board, one fan made sure Payton owned up to past words he said.
Those words involved him criticizing Hackett’s coaching job in 2022, with Payton calling it “the worst coaching job ever” before retracting his words. Well, Payton now knows what it’s like to lose by 50 with 70 on the scoreboard, prompting the “K” word to surface.
Karma came for Sean Payton and it came HARD. pic.twitter.com/zOzMQ42EZn
— Austin (@AustinPlanet) September 24, 2023
Dolphin fans also piled on Payton.
Tua karma game for Sean Payton #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/DhUjYQFvk5
— Just Tom! #LGM & 🐬⬆️ (@Hotstover) September 24, 2023
Another fan reminded Payton how “karma stays undefeated.”
Karma remains undefeated.
Sean Payton on Hackett: "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL."#BroncosCountry #FireVanceJoseph https://t.co/nGarJiQBzZ
— Lisa (@LisJM) September 24, 2023
National analysts were among the internet users mocking Payton’s coaching job in South Beach. One happens to be former Broncos cornerback Domonique Foxworth.
When you’re Sean Payton and you’re down 35-13 at half with 2023 Russell Wilson as your QB pic.twitter.com/90P1LLK97K
— The Domonique Foxworth Show (@FoxworthShow) September 24, 2023
Payton Reacts to Debacle
Now, how did Payton himself feel about being on the wrong side of NFL history?
“I’m aware,” Payton defiantly said. “What’s the question?”
Sean Payton was not in a good mood after today's game 😬#BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/Y98MkH0z90
— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) September 24, 2023
Payton, though, shared more words to describe Sunday’s debacle.
“That was embarrassing,” Payton said to reporters. “Tough to watch. Aside from the kick return, there weren’t a lot of positives to take from that game.”
The past Super Bowl winner with the New Orleans Saints felt that before the scoreboard lit up, his team had opportunities to start fast.
“We had our opportunities offensively early,” Payton said before mentioning penalties erased that.
And as the outside NFL world rags on Payton, the head coach has this plan in place: Broncos players and coaches will be watching film of this loss.
“It’s one thing to say we’re going to get on to the next game, but we have to watch that tape,” Payton said. “Tomorrow will be tough for a lot of our players. Tough for us, too, as coaches.”
#Broncos coach Sean Payton called loss Embarrassing. #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/MVCheTzHps
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 24, 2023