Broncos skip chance at short field goal in costly controversial…
In a game in which factors had been come by, Sean Payton’s choice to go for it on fourth-and-1 in the second quarter backfired for the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game.
With the Broncos main New England, 7-0, and 9:28 to go in the first half, Payton — with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham filling in for the injured Bo Nix — and the ball on the New England 14-yard line, opted to go for a first down instead of a comparatively short field goal.
To make issues worse, instead of calling a run play to select up the first down, the Broncos rolled Stidham out as he tried to finish a short cross to RJ Harvey.
4th and less than a yard and Broncos go for it instead of kicking a field goal. They determined a roll out proper cross play with Stidham was better than a run when they’re averaging 3.3 yards per rush this game… pic.twitter.com/90skwm58Bu— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 25, 2026
The Patriots protection wasn’t fooled, as Stidham’s cross had no chance and was almost intercepted by Craig Woodson.
The Broncos turned the ball over on downs and New England took over.
The Patriots tied the game with 2:10 left in the half and New England took the lead early in the third quarter, 10-7, with a field goal.
Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) drops again to cross against the Patriots during the AFC Championship game on Jan. 25, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect
Broncos head coach Sean Payton reacts during the AFC Championship game against the Patriots on Jan. 25, 2026. Getty Images
Stidham was beginning his first game since 2023 as a consequence of Nix struggling a damaged ankle in time beyond regulation last week in Denver’s win over Buffalo in the divisional round.
Stidham obtained off to a comparatively good start on Sunday, as he hit Marvin Mims Jr. for a 52-yard cross to assist arrange a six-yard landing cross to Courtland Sutton that gave Denver a lead early in the first quarter.
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