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4h ago

Broncos Accept Blame for Game-Deciding Leverage Penalty as Rizzi Backs Lutz, Disputes ‘Bait’ Claim

Sean Payton says the special block call on the 60-yarder was his mistake.

Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) reacts after a missed field goal by Indianapolis Colts place kicker Spencer Shrader (3) on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. A penalty on the Broncos game Shrader a second attempt which he made to win the game. Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi walks the field before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Overview

  • After Spencer Shrader missed from 60 yards, Dondrea Tillman was flagged for leverage, moving the ball 15 yards and setting up the Colts’ walk-off 45-yarder in a 29-28 finish.
  • Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi said the alignment and execution were wrong and accepted blame for the call not being run correctly.
  • Rizzi added that the block look Denver signaled had never been used before, reinforcing his view that preparation, not predictability, caused the error.
  • Head coach Sean Payton called the decision to use a special block on a 60-yard try his mistake and agreed the penalty was correctly enforced by rule.
  • Rizzi publicly backed kicker Wil Lutz after a late 42-yard miss, as Colts coordinator Brian Mason’s claim that Indy baited the foul drew a rebuttal.