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Broncos Defeat Bills in Overtime After Rejecting Fake Punt Call
The Denver Broncos defeated the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round. A prepared fake punt on fourth-and-11 was rejected by players at the line of scrimmage.
Jul 7, 10:29 AM·1m read1 source
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The Denver Broncos defeated the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round of the 2025-26 postseason. Coach Sean Payton called for a fourth-down fake punt on fourth-and-11 in overtime. The play, prepared for a year under the name Rutgers Special, was vetoed by players at the line of scrimmage. The Broncos punted instead. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen threw an interception on the next possession.
A reporter spent the entire two-week playoff period with Payton. The reporter attended staff meetings, team meetings, practices, pep talks and arguments between coaches and players. m. Payton shared his personal sleep scores with the reporter. Payton made phone calls to Bill Parcells and Jerry Rice seeking advice on how to address the team.
After the Buffalo game, the Broncos' vice president of player health and performance informed Payton in his office that quarterback Bo Nix had broken his ankle. In 2024 Payton had developed a secret plan to propose that the Broncos hire Bill Belichick as temporary head coach until Belichick broke Don Shula's record for most NFL wins.
"We had the right look," Payton told the reporter.
