broncos sean payton afc championship field goal.

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz (3) misses a field goal attempt against the New England Patriots during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Sean Payton has second thoughts about passing up easy field goal in Broncos’ AFC title game loss

Sean Payton says he’ll have second thoughts about his decision to pass up an easy field goal, as well as the play he called instead. The Denver Broncos and their fans now have the entire offseason to argue over which part of that critical fourth-and-1 play was worse. Payton decided not to kick a chip-shot field goal for a 10-0 lead in good weather in the first half of Sunday’s AFC championship game against the New England Patriots. As a result, the Broncos ended up needing to make a kick once the blowing snow and wind rolled in after halftime. The decision played an integral role in Denver’s 10-7 loss.

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