Bo Nix, Broncos defend Sean Payton’s decision to play in overtime

On By Littum

CINCINNATI — Broncos coach Sean Payton elected to play for overtime instead of deciding the game on a two-point conversion late in Denver’s eventual 30-24 overtime loss to Cincinnati on Saturday night.

And Broncos players lined up in support of their head coach’s decision.

Rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw an unlikely touchdown to receiver Marvin Mims Jr. into double coverage on fourth-and-1 to draw the Broncos within 24-23.

After the game, Nix held up two fingers as if the visitors were trying to take the lead. The offense stayed on the field.

All scoring plays are reviewed by the NFL, but in this case, Mims’ catch was close, and it took just more than two minutes in real time from the official signaling of the touchdown to the moment referee Adrian Hill announced the call stood.

Then Denver’s field goal unit trotted onto the field.

“I have no decision-making (power), so I try to go for two,” Nix said afterward. “But in the end it is probably not always the wisest decision. I’m glad I don’t make the decisions for our team because I would go by direct feelings.

“They thought it out, they worked it out, and in that case it was better to kick a field goal and go into overtime.”

Of course it didn’t work. Denver and Cincinnati traded two empty possessions each before Joe Burrow finally ended the game with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins.

Part of Payton’s thought process, he said, was that Denver clinched a playoff spot with either a win or a tie.

“We knew going into this game — knew all those things — tied, all of that,” Payton said. “So much of it is your gut. In terms of how the throw goes, we moved a little bit on offense and then weighted the two-point conversion percentages.

“If the binder wasn’t sitting in there, it probably would have been a little easier decision.”

Broncos players all said they trusted Payton to play overtime.

“It’s not information I get when I’m on the pitch. I think it was the right call either way,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “You take the chance in overtime to fight with our playoff lives on the line and guarantee another chance at it.