Sean Payton skips onside kick chance in fourth quarter rules change
- Sean Payton, in his debut as head coach of the Denver Broncos, faced a crucial decision in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Despite the opportunity to attempt an onside kick after narrowing the score to 13-6, Payton chose to kick off instead.
- This decision, along with the new NFL rules limiting onside kick attempts, led to the Broncos' inability to secure a comeback and resulted in a loss.
In a recent NFL game, Sean Payton faced a critical decision in the fourth quarter as his Denver Broncos trailed the Pittsburgh Steelers. With just 1:54 remaining and the score at 13-6, the Broncos had the opportunity to attempt an onside kick, a strategy now limited by new league rules that only allow it when a team is losing in the fourth quarter. However, Payton opted to kick off instead, weighing the odds of recovering the onside kick against the chance of getting the ball back with only 26 seconds left. This decision came after the Broncos had just scored a field goal, narrowing the gap. The Steelers managed to run down the clock, forcing the Broncos to scramble for a last-minute play. Despite a valiant effort, including a 13-yard pass that set up a final play, the Broncos could not secure a win. Payton's choice not to attempt the onside kick raised eyebrows, especially given his reputation for risk-taking. The new rules have made such decisions more complex, as teams must now declare their intention to attempt an onside kick, limiting surprise tactics. This game marked Payton's debut as the Broncos' head coach, and the loss highlighted the challenges he faces in adapting to the new rules while trying to lead his team to victory. The outcome of this game may influence his future decisions regarding aggressive play-calling in critical moments.