Fourth Down, Fine Margins, and the Coaching Calls That Shaped Championship Sunday
Championship weekend is always about the details. It’s not just the 122 or 123 snaps from scrimmage - it’s the handful of moments that swing everything.
The AFC and NFC title games were tight, tense, and ultimately decided by razor-thin decisions on fourth down and special teams. Let’s dig into how those moments defined the day - and what they tell us about the teams involved.
Broncos’ Calculated Gamble Comes Up Short
Sean Payton entered the AFC Championship game in a unique spot. With Jarrett Stidham under center, expectations were tempered.
If the Broncos lost, the fallback was clear: they were down to their backup quarterback. But if they won?
Payton would’ve been hailed as a mastermind.
That context matters, but it doesn’t excuse the decisions that helped tilt the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the Broncos trailing and momentum hanging in the balance, Payton opted to go for it on fourth down in a high-risk, high-reward situation. The call was aggressive - maybe too aggressive - and it didn’t pan out. The Patriots’ defense held firm, and the Broncos walked away empty-handed.
It wasn’t just that moment. Special teams miscues also haunted Denver.
A missed field goal earlier in the game loomed large as the clock ticked down. In games this tight, every point matters - and the Broncos left too many on the field.
Payton’s approach was bold, and it matched the tone he’s set all season. But when the margins are this thin, boldness has to be backed up by execution. On Sunday, the Broncos came up short in both.
Rams’ Fourth-Down Woes Haunt Them in Seattle
Over in the NFC, the Rams found themselves in a similar situation - locked in a one-possession battle with the Seahawks, with every decision under the microscope. And like the Broncos, it was a fourth-down call that proved costly.
Late in the game, the Rams faced a critical decision deep in Seattle territory. Instead of taking the points, they went for it. The play was stuffed, and the Seahawks took over with a chance to control the clock and the game.
It’s easy to second-guess in hindsight, but the Rams had been aggressive all year. That identity doesn’t change in January. Still, in a game where every possession felt like gold, the decision to pass up a field goal - and the failure to convert - loomed large.
Special teams weren’t immune either. A botched punt return set up the Seahawks with prime field position, leading to points the Rams couldn’t afford to give up. In playoff football, field position is everything, and the Rams handed Seattle a short field at the worst possible time.
Championship Weekend: A Game of Inches - and Decisions
When you look at both games side by side, a pattern emerges. These weren’t blowouts.
They weren’t decided by dominant individual performances or lopsided stats. They were decided by inches - and by decisions.
Fourth-down calls. Special teams miscues.
Trust in the quarterback. Trust in the defense.
The Broncos and Rams both played well enough to win. But in the postseason, well enough isn’t enough.
The Patriots and Seahawks capitalized on mistakes. They stayed poised when it mattered most. And they’re the ones moving on.
For Denver and L.A., the offseason starts with a hard look in the mirror - not just at the players, but at the choices made when the game was on the line.