The Denver Broncos' 33-32 Week 7 win over the New York Giants was memorable for many reasons.
Denver pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history (they overcame a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit and scored 25 points in the final 5:13 of the game), and the team took sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
But it may also be a game that sticks with head coach Sean Payton because he may be hearing from the NFL league office regarding his actions on one particular play that could hit him right in the wallet.
With 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Payton ran onto the field to argue a pass-interference call on cornerback Riley Moss with an official. He was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which set up the Giants' 1-yard go-ahead touchdown.
"That was silly," Payton said after the game. "I just felt like - I’m close with a number of people on that crew. It just so happens that the last three times (they’ve had a Broncos game), the numbers haven’t been good. … I just wanted them to hear me. You can’t do that."
Fortunately for the Broncos, they drove down the field on the following drive and won on a Will Lutz 39-yard field goal. However, Payton was called out by several analysts for his aggressive behavior, which will likely lead to a fine from the NFL when it releases its weekly list of gameday accountability fines on Saturday.
More Football:Controversial Texans Star Likely Facing NFL Punishment for Actions vs Seahawks
"Payton is probably going to be staring down an NFL fine for that one," former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan said on ESPN's "Get Up" on Monday.
If Payton is hit with a fine, it would pale in comparison to the massive punishment the NFL hit him with for his role in "Bountygate" back in 2012 when he was the head coach of the New Orleans Saints.
Payton served a season-long suspension along with Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, general manager Mickey Loomis was suspended for eight games, and the organization was fined $500,000 and forfeited second-round picks in 2012 and 2013.
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.