Here’s how a penalty for leverage cost the Broncos a game against the Colts
September 14, 2025
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton sounded content to let others debate Sunday’s leverage call against linebacker Dondrea Tillman. Payton wanted no part of it. And neither did the rest of the Broncos. Tillman was flagged for leverage on a missed 60-yard field-goal attempt by the Colts’ Spencer Shrader. The penalty allowed Shrader to kick again from 45 yards with no time left and the Colts won 29-28. Quarterback Bo Nix says the Broncos made plenty of mistakes that put the game in officials’ hands. Payton didn’t dispute that Tillman committed the infraction, which involves using another player to vault into the air.