The Denver Broncos’ season came to a frustrating halt in the AFC Championship Game, falling short against the New England Patriots in a matchup that’s already fueling plenty of offseason soul-searching. And while fans and analysts alike are dissecting what went wrong, former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel-who knows Sean Payton’s system intimately from their time together in New Orleans-offered some pointed, insightful takes on where things unraveled for Denver.
Daniel didn’t hold back when discussing the coaching chess match that unfolded. “There’s multiple times in this game where I thought Sean Payton got a little bit out-coached,” he said.
That’s not coming from a casual observer-Daniel spent five years in Payton’s offense. His take isn’t about throwing shade; it’s about recognizing how the Patriots, led by Mike Vrabel, made critical adjustments and executed when it mattered most.
One of the key moments Daniel highlighted was a fourth-down play early in the game that didn’t go Denver’s way. The call itself wasn’t necessarily the issue-Daniel said he didn’t mind the decision to go for it-but the execution raised some eyebrows.
“Everyone knew that was coming,” he said, referring to the play design. The Patriots read it perfectly, lining up in an even front that left the center uncovered.
According to Daniel, that alignment practically begged for a quarterback sneak. “If you would have done a quarterback sneak, [Stidham] would have walked in scot-free.”
That’s the kind of detail that separates the good from the great in playoff football. In high-stakes games, it’s not just about bold decisions-it’s about reading the defense, adjusting on the fly, and capitalizing on what’s in front of you.
But perhaps the most overlooked moment, at least in Daniel’s eyes, came just before halftime. Denver was in position to tack on points, but a small miscue turned into a big missed opportunity.
Quarterback Jarrett Stidham, under pressure, chose to hold onto the ball rather than throw it away. He ended up losing two yards on the play-something that might seem minor in the moment, but as Daniel pointed out, can have major implications.
“When you lose those two yards, every single yard matters when you’re kicking a field goal,” Daniel explained. And he’s right. In a game decided by inches, those two yards can be the difference between three points and a missed opportunity.
Now, the Broncos shift into offseason mode with plenty to think about. Free agency looms in early March, and the front office will have no shortage of decisions to make. But until then, they’re left to replay those key moments-those small breakdowns in execution and situational awareness-that ultimately kept them from reaching the Super Bowl.
For Denver, it’s not just about what went wrong. It’s about learning from it, adjusting, and coming back sharper. Because in the NFL, the margin between championship glory and coming up just short is razor-thin-and every snap counts.