The team total of 82 was the most since the Roosters beat Canterbury 87-7 in 1935. It was also the third-highest in premiership history and the most in the NRL era.
The Roosters also equalled the NRL record for most points by halftime after putting 48 past the home side.
“It’s absolutely unacceptable,” Payten said after the match.
“As coach of this club, it’s one of our darkest days, if not the darkest day.
“I’d like to apologise to our members and fans who were out there today and those that watched it at home. Just not good enough.”
Cowboys captain Reuben Cotter described the result as “embarrassing”.
“It was pretty embarrassing … There’s not much to say really,” Cotter told Nine.
“I thought we’d kicked off and started with intensity but we were just so loose right across the park.
“It was pretty obvious where they were coming, straight through the front door and sort of just snowballed from the kickoff.”
The result is a big blow for the Cowboys’ top eight aspirations as they could be overtaken by the Bulldogs, should they beat the Storm on Friday night.
It also wasn’t a good outcome for the Warriors, who now trail the second-placed Roosters by four points in the standings. The Warriors can close the gap to two points with a win over the Titans on Saturday.
The once healthy differential advantage the Warriors held over rival teams chasing a spot inside the top four has also disintegrated.
The Warriors hold a +190, while the Roosters’ is now +155.
The Sharks – equal with the Warriors on 30 points – are on +161 after winning their last four games by a combined 116 points.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.