“We didn't play a good offense… we'll see much better teams”

“I'll sleep well. We have a big game this week against a much better team,” he said when asked if they would take some of Sunday’s frustrations into preparation.

Against a struggling Carolina defense, rookie Bo Nix completed 28 of 37 passes for 284 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions and added a rushing score. He set career highs in completions, percentage (75.7), passing yards, passing yards per attempt (7.7), passing TDs and passer rating (124.2).

Payton came up big in the fourth quarter trying to keep the momentum going on offense. Coach made a fake field goal that failed and a WR pass from Courtland Sutton that led to a big gain on 4th-and-2. Sutton would eventually fumble inside the 10-yard line and score three points.

Panthers corner Jaycee Horn appeared to confront Payton on the field after the game, allegedly accusing the coach of “trying to run up the score.”

Although Payton dismissed Sunday's opponent, he noted there is still a lot to learn from the tape.

“We are on schedule,” he said. Tomorrow we'll watch this tape. We're all in this. It is important. That's what can happen sometimes… In losses you can miss some things that are really good, and in wins if you're not careful you can miss some things that need to be cleaned up. So we’re going to try to do that tomorrow and then turn the tide for Baltimore and get ready for a really good team.”

The Broncos, who have won five of their last six games, are 5-3 and in fifth place in the AFC, but the gauntlet awaits. Denver will face Baltimore (5-3), Kansas City (7-0) and Atlanta (5-3) in the next three weeks.