Broncos' Payton not expecting 'a lot of flowers' in return to New Orleans

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton isn't expecting a warm reception Thursday when he stands on the visitors' sidelines to take on his former team, the New Orleans Saints, for the first time.

"I don't think there's going to be a lot of flowers and warm fuzzies for yours truly, and I get it. ... I can't stand losing," Payton said ahead of the Broncos' Thursday Night Football matchup against the Saints, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell and Jeff Legwold.

"It's about our team and me as the head coach of the Broncos getting ready to play on an early week and trying to play one of our better games."

Payton returns to the Caesars SuperDome for the first time after spending 15 seasons as the Saints' head coach. He compiled a 152-89 record during his tenure in New Orleans, helping the franchise earn nine playoff appearances and a Super XLIV win.

The longtime head coach's return coincides with quarterback Drew Brees' induction into the Saints Hall of Fame at halftime.

New Orleans head coach Dennis Allen spent 12 seasons under Payton across two stints and described his former boss as a "demanding coach."

"He does a really good job of identifying areas of weakness that he wants to try to attack," Allen said. "Certainly, that'll be something we'll have to deal with."

The Broncos are 11-12 under Payton as he attempts to lead the club to its first playoff appearance since 2015, when the franchise won Super Bowl 50.

Despite his long history with the Saints, Payton said he isn't putting much weight into nostalgia ahead of the prime-time matchup.

"What I told (the team) this morning is we're in the business of collecting wins," Payton said Tuesday, according to the Denver Post's Parker Gabriel. "And this is the next one we have to get. The preparation and all of it. Years later, we'll be able to look back on it, but right now, it's focused."

Payton and the Broncos (3-3) will attempt to prolong the Saints' four-game losing streak Thursday.