Broncos HC Sean Payton discusses controversial fourth-down call in AFC Championship Game loss to Patriots

By Clark Dalton, Yardbarker Jan 26, 2026 Yardbarker NFL

Broncos HC Sean Payton discusses controversial fourth-down call in AFC Championship Game loss to Patriots

Why didn't Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton take the points?

In the second quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Payton went for it on a fourth-and-1 at the Patriots' 14-yard line. Denver was leading 7-0.

The play backfired. Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, filling in for starting QB Bo Nix (broken right ankle), threw a low pass intended for running back RJ Harvey that was nearly intercepted. Payton must regret that decision now.

Denver didn't score a point for the rest of the game, losing 10-7. The Broncos finished with only 181 yards of offense.

The Broncos go for it on 4th down and come up short pic.twitter.com/kS3Bcxqv8u

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 25, 2026

"I just felt like, man, we had momentum to go up 14. Felt like we had a good call," Payton said in a postgame news conference. "I think …


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