Payton Questions Fourth-Down Call in Broncos’ Snowy Title Loss

The Denver Broncos lost to the New England Patriots 10-7 in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Snow fell heavily in the second half, and coach Sean Payton later said he regretted a fourth-down call in the second quarter that cost his team points.

Background

The Broncos entered the game with high hopes after a strong season. They started well, taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 6-yard pass from quarterback Jarrett Stidham to wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Denver's defense held the Patriots to short drives early on. The Broncos had good field position on several possessions, starting three drives from their own 40-yard line or better in the first half.

Weather played a big role. Light snow began before halftime but turned into a full storm after the break. This made passing and kicking tough for both teams. The game stayed close, tied 7-7 at halftime. Denver had piled up 125 yards on their first four drives but managed just 24 yards on the next three before the break.

The Patriots had never won a playoff game in Denver before this one. They were 0-4 in postseason games there. New England's quarterback Drake Maye tied the score with a touchdown run late in the first half after a Broncos fumble.

Key Details

The Fourth-Down Call

With 9 minutes left in the second quarter, the Broncos faced fourth-and-1 from the Patriots' 14-yard line. They led 7-0, and their defense was dominating. Payton first called for a run but changed it to a pass after a timeout. Stidham rolled right on a bootleg but faced heavy pressure. He threw the ball into traffic, and the Patriots took over on downs. A short field goal seemed like a sure bet at that point.

Payton spoke about the decision after the game.

"Decisions like that. The tough ones. The fourth-and-1. Frustrated. I felt like we would be able to run the ball more consistently." – Sean Payton

He said the run call might have worked better in hindsight. Getting to 14-0 could have shifted momentum. Instead, the missed chance loomed large as snow made every point vital.

Turnovers and Kicking Woes

Stidham fumbled late in the half on a backward pass deep in Denver territory. He thought it was forward, but replay showed otherwise. Maye scored two plays later to tie the game at 7-7.

Kicker Wil Lutz missed a 54-yard field goal right before halftime. In the fourth quarter, Lutz tried a 45-yarder to tie the game, but Patriots defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III blocked it. Denver's offense gained just 32 net yards in the second half with one first down. Their longest play after a 52-yard pass to Marvin Mims Jr. early was 12 yards.

Second-Half Struggle

The Patriots took a 10-7 lead with a long third-quarter drive that ate up 9:31. Snow covered the field, limiting both teams. Denver rushed for 22 yards after halftime, and Stidham passed for 10. The Broncos' longest possession went for 17 yards.

Payton noted the team played most of the first half on New England's side of the field but did not score enough.

"We needed more than that. You don't know how a game is going to unfold… We didn't score enough points offensively or capitalize on that field position. The turnovers hurt us." – Sean Payton

Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey echoed the frustration.

"We didn't execute. We made mistakes before the weather turned that really flipped the game on its head." – Mike McGlinchey

What This Means

The loss ends Denver's season. The Patriots advance to Super Bowl LX on February 8 in Santa Clara, California. For the Broncos, the fourth-down call stands out as a turning point. Payton said he will review tape and find several regrets, starting with the first half.

Stidham faced pressure often, and the run game stalled. Backup quarterback play showed limits without the starter. Denver's defense kept them in it, but offense faltered when it mattered. The snowstorm recalled tough playoff games like the 2001 AFC title in Foxborough.

Payton took blame.

"Starts with the head coach and rest of our staff." – Sean Payton

Players praised the season despite the end. The team built momentum but could not finish. Snow highlighted how small margins decide playoffs. Denver must address offense in the offseason, especially quarterback and running consistency.

The Patriots' win marks a breakthrough in Denver. Their clock-control drive proved key. For Broncos fans, the close loss stings in bitter cold. Payton plans to learn from it for next year. The NFL offseason begins now for Denver, with lessons from this game front and center.