Sean Payton Takes Blame for Penalty That Led to Broncos’ Loss to Colts, ‘That’s on Me’

The Denver Broncos lost their Week 2 contest against the Indianapolis Colts after a penalty gave the Colts a second chance at a game-winning field goal.

Head coach Sean Payton took the blame for the penalty that set up the game-winner.

“We had a certain field goal block [in the game plan] in the event of a game-ending field goal,” Payton said Monday, per ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. ” … But that’s on me in that situation. It’s not on [special teams coach] Darren [Rizzi], it’s not on Tillman. A 60-yard field goal attempt is different … The alignment got wrong and the [officials’] call was correct … My big regret flying home was, you know … that [block attempt] is more for a gimme than a 60-yard attempt. And that’s on me.”

Indianapolis was attempting a 60-yard field goal with three seconds remaining when Broncos linebacker Dondrea Tillman was flagged for leverage. The kick was short, but the penalty gave the Colts another attempt, and they made it to win the game.

Going for a block on a chip shot would have made plenty of sense, but given how far the Colts’ attempt was, backing off would have been a safer move. It seems Payton has learned from his mistake and will take a less aggressive approach if he finds himself in that situation again.

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