The Jacksonville Jaguars ended the 11-game winning streak of the Denver Broncos this past Sunday and one of the top things to come out of that game was a comment made earlier in the week by Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
Payton referred to the Jaguars as a "small market" team, something that Jaguars head coach Liam Coen certainly made note of and something that several outlets have discussed at length since the game was over.
#Jaguars HC Liam Coen after beating Denver: "A small market team like us can come into Mile High and get it done."
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 22, 2025
Earlier week, Broncos HC Sean Payton said: “It’s a smaller market but you see a real good team.”Pic.twitter.com/iO4oNzxJTf
Coen clearly used the remarks to rally his team, but the remarks by Payton were not only not negative, but they weren't meant as a shot against Jacksonville at all. In fact, quite the opposite. Still, Payton had to state as much on Monday after the game, which was ridiculous.
"My press conference, it was very complimentary and those guys are playing outstanding football. That topic came up strictly because, ‘Hey, not enough of the country has seen how good these guys are playing.
The point is though, listen, that was a good job by Liam. He was looking for a rallying cry. Obviously if you were listening to the press conference, the intention was strictly, ‘Hey quietly these guys are sitting here right near the top of the AFC, they’re ready to win their division.’ I spent 16 years at a small market. It was just a way for a coach to take it and use it to his advantage".
Following the game, Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange played up the "small market" comment, something the clean took personally, for whatever reason.
If that's the kind of thing Jacksonville needs to motivate them, good for them. But a small rivalry is being born between these two teams from the potential bad blood that stems from this game. And, there's a good chance they will see each other once again in the postseason.
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If that happens, Payton should not say anything in regard to the team they are playing, as Coen has shown himself to be quite petty. Instead, the Broncos need to let their actions speak for themselves and make sure not to take the team from Duval County lightly.
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