One poor play call from Sean Payton looms large over the Denver Broncos’ playoff exit Sunday against the New England Patriots.
The Broncos were firmly in the driver’s seat early in the AFC Championship Game clash at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. The Broncos had a 7-0 lead and possession deep in enemy territory midway through the second quarter.
Payton overcomplicated a 4th-and-1 opportunity at the Patriots’ 14. Instead of calling for a run play or simply kicking the field goal to make it a two-score game, Payton had Jarrett Stidham roll right on a pass play that was dead on arrival.
4th and less than a yard and Broncos go for it instead of kicking a field goal.
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 25, 2026
They decided a roll out right pass play with Stidham was better than a run when they are averaging 3.3 yards per rush this game… pic.twitter.com/90skwm58Bu
The Patriots were able to tie the game with a touchdown of their own later in the quarter. Several fans blamed Payton’s “arrogance” for the play call that came back to haunt the Broncos.
Sean Payton's arrogance is his demise. Not kicking it earlier & trusting a Stid lead offense on 4th down because u think u can scheme up anything, is pure ego.
— lael (@laelvc) January 25, 2026
Sean Payton's Arrogance kept him from going up 10-0 because he wanted to showcase Stidham now he in 7-7 Dogfight with a QB that's making Dumb Ass Decisions.
— The Dawgzilla (@TheDawgzilla) January 25, 2026
Why in the name of Sean Payton arrogance would you not kick that field goal? Answer: Sean Payton arrogance. You're playing with Jarrett Stidham and an elite defense. You go up by two scores and the game might be over.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) January 25, 2026
The call now looks far worse in hindsight as the Broncos wound up getting shut out for the rest of the game — one that was decided by three points.
Before Sunday, Stidham had not thrown a pass in an NFL game since 2023. Trusting him on a 4th-and-1 pass play did seem like pure hubris from Payton, who ended up getting humbled by the football gods.
