Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton seemingly went against his instincts on a key fourth down call in the second quarter of Sunday’s AFC Championship game.
Seth Wickersham of ESPN did a deep dive into Payton’s decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 from the New England 14-yard line late in the second quarter, with the Broncos already leading 7-0. Instead of attempting a field goal, Payton wanted the first down, but the Patriots got the stop and the Broncos never scored again.
One week earlier, however, Payton had watched the NFC Divisional game between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears when the Bears were faced with a similar decision on their first drive. On a 4th and 2 at the Rams’ 21, the Bears went for it and failed.
According to Wickersham, Payton immediately called on the Bears to kick it, and was befuddled when they did not.
“Why are coaches not kicking field goals?” Payton said.
Had Payton taken his own advice, the Broncos would have gone up 10-0. Whether they would have won from there is anyone’s guess, but they would have had more wiggle room to maneuver in what was ultimately a 10-7 loss.
Payton had plenty of reason to second-guess his call, and not just because the Broncos lost the game. Plenty of people were questioning it as soon as he made it, even before it was apparent how much it would wind up mattering.
