Sean Payton Reflects on Costly Fourth-Down Call in Broncos' AFC Championship Loss
In a tightly contested AFC Championship Game, the Denver Broncos suffered a narrow 10-7 defeat to the New England Patriots, and Coach Sean Payton expressed deep regret over a pivotal fourth-down decision that may have changed the outcome. With the Broncos leading 7-0, they found themselves in a promising position at the Patriots' 14-yard line. Instead of opting for a straightforward field goal to extend their lead to 10, Payton chose to keep the offense on the field for a risky fourth-and-1. The decision backfired when quarterback Jarrett Stidham threw an incomplete pass, resulting in a turnover on downs. Payton lamented the missed opportunity, stating, "You don't know that it's going to be this three-point game, but it became apparent that with each possession, a field goal was going to be real important." Despite their strong start, the Broncos only managed a single touchdown, failing to capitalize on their early momentum and advantageous field position. Payton emphasized the importance of the missed chances, asserting that the responsibility lies with the coaching staff to maximize such opportunities. The Broncos' defense had shown promise, forcing three punts on their initial drives, but the inability to convert on offense allowed the Patriots to eventually tie the game and take the lead. Reflecting on the fourth-down play, Payton revealed that he initially called for a run but switched to a pass after a stoppage in play. In hindsight, he recognized that the original run play might have been the better choice, saying, "Hindsight, the initial sub-run was a better decision." The combination of missed opportunities and adverse weather conditions, with heavy snow affecting both teams, contributed to a challenging game for the Broncos.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-01-26