Sean Payton, known for his bold decision-making, faced criticism after opting against an onside kick in the Denver Broncos' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite a history of successful daring plays, including an iconic onside kick in Super Bowl 34, his recent conservative choices during crunch time raised eyebrows among fans and analysts.

The Broncos struggled offensively, particularly in the ground game, limiting their chances to rally. Payton's choices, including a late-game field goal, underscored the team’s ongoing challenges as they aimed for improvement in a tough NFL landscape.