FOXBORO — Sean Payton gave the Patriots some potential bulletin-board material ahead of the AFC Championship Game.
Kayshon Boutte offered a headline-worthy retort.
Asked by Denver reporters for a message to Broncos fans, Payton said they should be especially loud this Sunday because “they’re going to have plenty of rest after this one.”
“Two weeks,” Denver’s head coach added, a clear reference to the time the winner of this game will have off before Super Bowl LX.
Boutte, one of the stars of New England’s divisional-round win over Houston, was asked about that comment before Thursday’s Patriots practice.
“I ain’t seen it,” the wide receiver said. “I mean, you can rest in Cancun, too, at the end of the day.”
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel brushed off a question about Payton’s remarks, saying his team doesn’t need any additional motivation ahead of the franchise’s first AFC title game since the 2018 season.
“I think we’re plenty motivated for the game,” Vrabel said. “I think that our players are continuing to build confidence through the week. So, I’m really excited to go out there and play.”
Oddsmakers favor New England in Sunday’s matchup at Empower Field at Mile High. As of Thursday afternoon, the Patriots were pegged as 4.5-point road favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook over a Broncos team that boasts a top-tier defense but will be starting backup Jarrett Stidham at quarterback.