Referee targets Broncos’ Sean Payton, fines him for it
Broncos coach Sean Payton can’t be blamed for his intense interest in his team’s performance in Sunday’s home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos were trying to improve their position atop the AFC West, and he was standing near the active playing field on Denver’s sideline.
Peyton moved to the white line at the side of the court in the third quarter. That lane is reserved for the referees and no member of either team should stand there. Peyton’s failure to comply leading to a collision with referee Derrick Bowers. Both fell to the ground after the impact. Although neither Payton nor Bowers appeared to be injured, the Broncos head coach was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
He shouldn’t have been in the area and should have gotten out of the way when Bowers headed that way.
Despite the penalty that cost him his place on the team, the Broncos came away with a 22-19 triumph in a key AFC West matchup. The Broncos improved their record to 9-2, while the Chiefs fell to 5-5 on the season. The Chiefs have won the AFC West title for nine straight years, but their stranglehold on the division crown appears to be coming to an end.
The Broncos won on a Will Lutz field goal
The Chiefs were desperate to win and stay within reach the Broncos. Kansas City took a 19-16 lead with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter when Patrick Mahomes hit Travis Kelce with a 21-yard field goal. Broncos kicker Will Lutz tied the game with a 46-yard field goal with just over 4 minutes left, then followed with a 48-yard 3-pointer on the final play of regulation.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nick proved he was up to the task of competing with Mahomes as he completed 24 of 37 passes for 295 yards. While Nix didn’t throw a TD pass, he didn’t throw an interception.
2025-11-17 01:30:00
