Postgame Handshake Between Sean Payton, Jim Harbaugh Draws Attention

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Dec 20, 2024 12:01 AM ET

Two of the greatest head coaches of the past decade and beyond faced off on Thursday night when Sean Payton's Denver Broncos visited SoFi Stadium for a divisional clash with Jim Harbaugh's Los Angeles Chargers, a game with major playoff implications.

This marked the second head-to-head meeting between Payton and Harbaugh since Harbaugh rejoined the NFL after his successful tenure as Michigan's head coach, where he led the Wolverines to a national championship victory.

Despite trailing 21-13 at halftime, it was the Chargers who rallied in the second half to secure the win, completing a season sweep of the Broncos. With both teams now sitting at 9-6 overall and just two games remaining, the playoff race is tightening up.

Following the hard-fought showdown, both veteran coaches expressed mutual respect, with their postgame handshake quickly garnering attention.

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What both Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton have accomplished this season has been nothing short of remarkable. Payton took on a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix, with few expectations surrounding the Broncos, yet has positioned them on the cusp of the postseason. '

However, they'll face a tough two-game stretch to secure a spot. On the other hand, the Chargers, after their win, are now a near lock to make the playoffs in Harbaugh's first season back in the NFL as the team’s head coach.

Many have pointed out that both teams are ahead of schedule, meaning they’ve far exceeded the expectations set for them this year. As the season winds down, both the Broncos and Chargers have a strong chance of making the postseason, which would be a major achievement for both franchises, led by two of the most accomplished head coaches of the 2000s and 2010s.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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