Sports

Sean Payton’s ‘Boneheaded’ Timeout Blunder Gifts Chiefs A Score

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Russell Wilson is tackled by a Kansas City Chiefs defender.

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A head-scratching decision by Sean Payton led to a Chiefs score in the first half of Thursday night’s football game. It seems the Broncos head coach gifted his opponent three points before the break.

That late score proved particularly costly for Broncos backers (+10.5) in an eventual 11-point loss.

With the final seconds winding down in the second quarter, Denver quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked on a third-down play. The Broncos still had one timeout remaining, and for some reason, they’d use it.

Instead of trying to use up the last 22 seconds of the half, or at least make KC burn one of their remaining timeouts, Sean Payton made the decision to stop the clock. Denver punted on the very next play.

Kansas City took full advantage of the extra opportunity with kicker Harrison Butker drilling a 60-yard field goal in the final seconds to put his team up 13-0.

Fans were absolutely stunned by the turn of events.

“Broncos +10.5 bettors fuming after they called a timeout to let the Chiefs go up 13.”

“Wait, did the Broncos call a timeout on third down just to punt it back to the Chiefs? Are you actually kidding me, Sean Payton?”

“Why the hell did the Broncos call a timeout when they had 4th down and were punting?”

Some played devil’s advocate, suggesting that it was actually the Chiefs that called for the timeout in hopes of adding the late score. However, it was clearly stated by the officiating crew that Denver was the team that stopped the clock.

ESPN’s game log reiterates that notion.

Confirmation came after the game when Payton owned up to the blunder.

“It’s a boneheaded mistake by me. They were calling one, as well, and I was off a down. That was stupid.”