Sean Payton and Kayshon Boutte’s Fiery Exchange Ignites AFC Championship Drama: Who Will Back Down?

Sunday’s AFC Championship showdown is shaping up to be one heck of a battle, and Denver Broncos head honcho Sean Payton isn’t holding back. Before the stadium roars to life this weekend against the New England Patriots, Payton fired up the home crowd, urging them to turn up the noise — reminding everyone they’ll get a well-earned break after the dust settles. “They’re going to have plenty of rest after this one. Two weeks,” he confidently declared, throwing down the gauntlet. It’s the kind of talk that stirs the pot, sparking responses like Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte’s cheeky retort about chilling in Cancun — a playful jab that adds extra spice to a rivalry steeped in legendary clashes between Brady and Manning. Both teams have dominated the season, boasting identical 14-3 records, so stakes couldn’t be higher. On one side, a golden ticket to the Super Bowl; on the other, an offseason beckoning from paradise or wherever the mood strikes. With key injuries shaking the Broncos’ lineup and the Patriots led by rising star Drake Maye, this Sunday’s matchup promises intensity, drama, and football at its finest. LEARN MORE.

Before Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton encouraged the home fans to be loud and told them that they would get a break soon.

“They’re going to have plenty of rest after this one,” Payton said. “Two weeks.”

Sean Payton wants Broncos fans to be loud again this week in the AFC Championship Game…

“They’re going to have plenty of rest after this one. Two weeks.”

👀 👀 pic.twitter.com/SOw9xcByYL

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) January 22, 2026

After being asked about Payton’s comments, Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte said he did not hear the comments, but that the Broncos “can rest in Cancun too at the end of the day.”

Kayshon Boutte on Sean Payton saying Denver fans will have plenty of rest after the AFC Championship game:

Kayshon said he didn’t see it, but added, “They can rest in Cancun too at the end of the day.” @NBC10 pic.twitter.com/r9YSR4t5Jm

— Kevin Moore (@KMooreTV) January 22, 2026

This Sunday, the Broncos and Patriots will revive a rivalry that featured matchups between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the later stages of their careers. Both teams dominated the regular season, going 14-3.

One team will have two weeks to prepare for the Super Bowl, while the other will start their offseason, in Cancun or elsewhere.

The Patriots are coming off back-to-back wins over the Chargers and Texans to reach their first AFC Championship since 2018. New England is led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who was announced as an MVP finalist on Thursday.

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The Broncos are coming off a 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills to advance to their first AFC Championship since 2015. On one of the final plays of that game, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle fracture.

Former Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham will start in Sunday’s game for the Broncos, who could get running back J.K. Dobbins back for the game. Dobbins has been out since Week 10 with a Lisfranc injury.