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Broncos Punted in Overtime Win Over Bills After Players Vetoed Fake Punt
ESPN reported that Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton called a fake punt during overtime of the team's divisional round victory over the Buffalo Bills earlier in 2026, but players rejected the play at the line. The account also detailed quarterback Bo Nix's ankle injury and a 2024 plan involving Bill Belichick.
Jul 9, 8:16 AM·1m read1 source
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Denver Broncos players overruled coach Sean Payton's call for a fake punt on fourth down in overtime of the team's divisional round playoff win over the Buffalo Bills earlier in 2026. Payton had prepared the play, named Rutgers Special, for a year specifically for use late in a close game against Buffalo.
The Broncos punted instead, after which Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw an interception on the next possession.
ESPN reported the details from a two-week period Seth Wickersham spent with Payton during the Broncos' 2026 playoff run. Payton told Wickersham that the team had the right look for the play, which was designed out of respect for Allen's clutch performance. Wickersham attended staff meetings, practices and strategy sessions that sometimes ran until 2 a.m.
After the Buffalo game, the Broncos' vice president of player health and performance informed Payton that quarterback Bo Nix had broken his ankle. In 2024, Payton had planned to propose hiring Bill Belichick as temporary head coach until Belichick surpassed Don Shula's record for most NFL wins.
