Sean Payton says ‘there’s always regrets’ after key decision in AFC Title Game loss

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton made a key decision in the AFC Title Game on Sunday.

It didn’t work out.

With the Broncos leading the Patriots 7-0 early in the second quarter, Denver was on the New England 14-yard line facing a fourth-and-one.

It would’ve been an easy field goal for Broncos kicker Wil Lutz to put them up 10-0. Considering it was backup QB Jarrett Stidham playing for an injured Bo Nix, a two-score lead could’ve been critical.

But Payton went for it instead, with Stidham throwing the ball incomplete to RJ Harvey amidst pressure from the Patriots. Denver didn’t score the rest of the way and lost 10-7, falling just short of the Super Bowl.

After the game, Sean Payton was asked multiple questions about the controversial decision.

Sean Payton explains why he elected not to kick a field goal up 7-0 early in the game. #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/ZKcP0P6ZD4

— Denver Sports 104.3 (@DenSports1043) January 25, 2026

“Yeah, I just felt like man we had momentum. Get up 14, it felt like we had a good call,” Sean Payton said. “I think the feeling was let’s be aggressive. To get up 14, I was just watching the way our defense was playing.”

The defense played great, holding the Patriots to only 10 points. In fact, New England scored its only touchdown after a fumble from Stidham gave them great field position later in the second quarter.

“Look, the turnover on our end, resulting in a touchdown. Outside of that I thought we did a good job in containing them. It’ll be a number of things I watch the tape and look at, critique and pay close attention to,” Payton said.

There was a follow up to Payton about whether or not he had any regrets not taking the points with Lutz.

“There’s always regrets. I felt like here we are, fourth-and-one, we felt close enough… yeah, there will always be second thoughts,” Payton said.

It’ll be the story of a long offseason, combined with other missed opportunities and Nix’s injury.

Denver had a great year. But there’s a real scenario where they’re playing in Santa Clara in the Super Bowl in two weeks.

Sean Payton will have a the spring and summer to think all about it.

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