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Thurday night could go down as "Sean Payton homecoming day." Well, probably not, but the Sean Payton Bowl is on tap for Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 7 in the NFL.
Payton will return to the place he spent more than 15 seasons. There might be some temptation for some players and coaches in similar situations to let nostalgia get the better of them, but not Payton.
At least that is what NFL analyst Myles Simmons claimed on Thursday's edition of "Pro Football Talk." Speaking on the program, Simmons claimed Payton wanted to win against the Saints just as bad as any other team (1:56):
"Whether Sean Payton says it or not, this is a game he obviously wants to win, and he wants to go into the Superdome and kick the Saints' a**. That's just who that guy is. That's how he's wired. So I'm interested to see how Bo Nix steps up to that task."
The Saints will feature coach Dennis Allen, who was Sean Payton's defensive coordinator with the Saints. The team has seen a lot of change in the last few years from the change of head coach to the retirement of Drew Brees, and the entrance of Derek Carr.
Saints homecoming for Sean Payton places added pressure on Bo Nix in first primetime start
While it's unclear if there are any good feelings left between Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints, Payton's quarterback has reason to feel an extra sense of urgency to win. Of course, it isn't just Payton's relationship with the Saints that could be a reason for added pressure.
The quarterback is coming off a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in which the final score (23-16) seemed closer than the game actually was. Coming off a loss, his primetime debut and a head coach facing his former team gives Nix plenty of reasons to want a win Thursday night.
With a blowout win, Nix might do enough to get on the national radar. However, a loss or an ugly win would likely solidify his position in the background of the NFL. Could this be the rookie's breakthrough party or just another night of development in the quarterback's young career?
If any of the above quotes are used, credit "Pro Football Talk," and H/T Sportskeeda.
