Sean Payton called a fake punt in overtime of a playoff game. His players looked at the defense, said no thanks, and punted instead. That decision kept the Denver Broncos alive in the 2026 postseason.
Payton finally confirmed the play call himself at training camp. Facing fourth-and-11 from the Denver 38 yard line with the score tied 30-30, he dialed up the “Rutgers Special.” He believed they could get the yards. Running back Tyler Badie and punter Jeremy Crawshaw did not agree.
The audible that changed the game
Crawshaw lifted his arms, signaling the check-off. The punt unit “canned” Payton’s call. Instead of a risky fake, Crawshaw boomed a 55-yard punt that pinned the Bills at their own 7 yard line. It was the right call. Payton admitted as much with a smile.
“Now, we canned it and punted out to the one. And it worked out,” he told reporters.
What happened next
On the very next Buffalo possession, Denver cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian picked off Josh Allen. It was a brutal end for Allen, who put up 283 passing yards and three touchdowns but also threw two interceptions as part of a four-turnover day for the Bills.
Bo Nix, playing through a broken ankle, then drew a key pass interference penalty to keep the drive alive. He finished with 279 yards and three touchdowns of his own. Kicker Wil Lutz drilled the game-winning field goal to seal the 33-30 victory.
Denver advanced to the AFC Championship Game. The special teams unit saved the season by ignoring their head coach. Sometimes the best play a coach calls is the one his players decide not to run.
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