After scoring a touchdown with just eight seconds remaining against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix turned to the sidelined and put up two fingers, signaling that he wanted to go for two and attempt to win the game.
Broncos coach Sean Payton overruled Nix, opting to instead kick and extra point to tie the game at 24-24 and play for overtime. Cincinnati went on to win in overtime 30-24.
Payton initially defended his decision after the game, saying it was the right decision in part because Denver only needed a tie to qualify for the NFL playoffs.
Let’s hope the Broncos clinch a playoff spot in Week 18. Otherwise this photo will haunt us all offseason. pic.twitter.com/rVNr9KVajF
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) December 29, 2024
After two nights of sleeping on it, the coach has now admitted that he has second-guessed the decision.
“Oh certainly,” Payton said during a conference call with reporters on Monday. “You go through it all the time relative to what the call would have been. Based on the outcome, you always second guess. You always do that as a head coach. I know I kind of felt I trusted my gut at the moment, but yes, I think it’s normal to do that.”
After losing Saturday’s game, Denver can now clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs with a win (or tie) against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18.
