FOXBOROUGH – Things always get blown out of proportion this week and during the bye week before the Super Bowl.

Fans and the media are always looking for anything other than the actual game to grab onto and push as a narrative. Bulletin board material is usually floating around somewhere. This time around, it took until Thursday, but Broncos head coach Sean Payton may have unintentionally given the New England locker room a little nudge of disrespect…just what they needed as 5.5-point favorites.

When asked if he had a message for fans out in Denver, Payton stressed being loud from the time Drake Maye huddles the offense until the ball is snap. He then added what can easily be taken as a subtle prediction.

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

This answer of course, implies that the Broncos are already thinking about Santa Clara. The Patriots are too, but they haven’t said it.

Both Mike Vrabel and Kayshon Boutte were asked about Payton’s comments. Vrabel’s answer was stern while Boutte’s was much, much funnier.

“I think we’re plenty motivated for the game,” said Vrabel. “I think that our players are continuing to build confidence through the week. So, I’m really excited to go out there and play.”

“Nah, I ain’t never seen that. Can rest in Cancun too at the end of the day,” Boutte quipped, drawing a laugh from the dozens of reporters around his locker. “So, it is what it is.”

Nobody needs any more motivation with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, but Payton certainly may have thrown a little gas on the fire, doing the Pats a massive favor.

Boutte’s comment could definitely count as bulletin board material as well, but Payton firing the first shot – intentionally or unintentionally – has brought back some of that old Bronco hate that’s been missing between these two franchises for a while now.