Broncos Fans Furious After Sean Payton’s Questionable 4th-Down Call in AFC Championship Loss
As the Denver Broncos’ season came to a heartbreaking end in a 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, head coach Sean Payton’s decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 instead of kicking a field goal has ignited a firestorm of criticism from fans and analysts alike.
Leading 7-0 in the second quarter with the ball at the Patriots’ 14-yard line, the Broncos opted to keep their offense on the field rather than extend the lead to 10 points with a short field goal, a choice that ultimately failed when quarterback Jarrett Stidham’s pass came up incomplete. The Patriots went on to score the final 10 points of the game and punched their ticket to Super Bowl LX.
Payton’s Explanation & Regrets
After the game, Payton faced tough questions from the media about the play call. While he defended the decision as an attempt to take advantage of what he felt was momentum and a strong defensive performance, he also acknowledged that the choice could come back to haunt him.
“There’s always regrets,” Payton said, admitting there would be second thoughts about not taking the three points. “I felt like here we are fourth-and-1, close enough… let’s be aggressive.”
Payton added that, in hindsight, the original run play call may have been the better decision. The snowy conditions that worsened as the game progressed made every possession and point at a premium, a reality that has only sharpened the scrutiny on the choice to pass rather than kick.
Fan & Analyst Backlash
Broncos fans and national observers alike were quick to react on social media and in commentary. Many fans were frustrated that Denver, playing at home in brutal weather with a backup quarterback, passed up a relatively simple scoring opportunity that could have put the game out of reach.
Critics pointed out that the decision flew in the face of conventional game management wisdom, particularly given the weather and the stakes, suggested it may go down as one of the worst calls in recent playoff history. One NFL reporter even labeled it as potentially the worst decision of Payton’s career.
Mixed Reactions From Inside the Locker Room
Not everyone in the Broncos’ locker room condemned the call. Some players, like guard Quinn Meinerz, stood by Payton’s aggression after the game, saying the offense simply didn’t execute well enough on the play itself.
But for many fans and analysts, that stance does little to soften the blow of a season that promised so much, a 14-win regular season and the AFC’s top seed only to end in disappointment.
What’s Next for the Broncos?
With the loss now in the rearview, Broncos supporters are left wondering what comes next for the franchise. The heavy criticism of Payton’s decision, combined with the team’s failure to reach the Super Bowl despite high expectations, could lead to increased calls for changes in strategy and personnel particularly in how in-game decisions are made.
Whatever the future holds, one thing is clear: fans will be debating that fourth-down call for months to come.
Source: Predominantly Orange
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