Sean Payton’s play-calling decisions came under scrutiny as the Denver Broncos fell to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wild-card round, 31-7. The team struggled on offense, throwing it only five times on first down and four times on second down in the first half for a combined total of 42 yards.
Payton explained that he was paying attention to the Bills’ performance on both sides of the ball and adjusted his strategy accordingly. However, the Broncos couldn’t capitalize on their aggressiveness, instead opting for punts and short gains.
The team’s lack of execution and scoring ability were highlighted by quarterback Bo Nix’s struggles, including an incomplete fourth-and-11 attempt in the third quarter. Tight end Adam Trautman acknowledged that the Bills’ possession-heavy approach ultimately led to the Broncos’ downfall.
Payton also faced criticism for his decision to deactivate rookie running back Audric Estime and favor 5-foot-8 Tyler Badie, which limited the team’s running game. The coach emphasized that it was a calculated risk to slow down the opponent’s offense, but it ultimately didn’t pay off.
As the Broncos look to regroup and move forward, Payton must find ways to improve his play-calling decisions and get his team back on track. With the franchise’s future now clearly centered around Nix, fans are eagerly awaiting his growth into a starting quarterback.
Source: https://www.denverpost.com/2025/01/12/sean-payton-bo-nix-broncos-bills-play-calling-afc-wild-card