ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said Monday morning the game officials made “the correct call” on a Denver penalty during a 60-yard field goal attempt Sunday, a penalty that gave the Indianapolis Colts a second chance at the game winner on the last play of a 29-28 Broncos loss.

Broncos outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman was flagged for leverage on the 60-yard attempt with three seconds left in regulation and the Broncos clinging to a 28-26 lead. The kick was short, but Tillman put his left hand on the player lined up at right guard on the kick — Dalton Tucker — and leaped to try to block the kick.

Payton said it was a mistake to have a field goal block call for such a long attempt and that the Broncos had also lined up improperly on the play.

“We had a certain field goal block [in the game plan] in the event of a game-ending field goal,” Payton said Monday. ” … But that’s on me in that situation. It’s not on [special teams coach] Darren [Rizzi], it’s not on Tillman. A 60-yard field goal attempt is different … The alignment got wrong and the [officials’] call was correct … My big regret flying home was, you know … that [block attempt] is more for a gimme than a 60-yard attempt. And that’s on me.”

Payton said the Broncos had actually planned, if they wanted to try to block a kick, their intention was to rush at the player the Colts had at left guard on kicks — defensive tackle Editor’s Picks

Star Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is dealing with a turf toe injury that could require surgery, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday night.

Images of the injury to Burrow’s left toe, which he suffered in the second quarter of Sunday’s 31-27 home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, are being sent to noted foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson to be reviewed, sources told Schefter.

If surgery is deemed necessary, it is expected to sideline Burrow for approximately three months.

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The Atlanta Falcons have benched their longtime kicker. The team announced Saturday that kicker Younghoe Koo has been downgraded to out for Sunday night’s game at the Minnesota Vikings.

In his place, Parker Romo has been elevated from the practice squad. The Falcons signed Romo, a Georgia native who kicked for the Minnesota Vikings last season, on Tuesday.

Koo missed a 44-yard field goal in the closing seconds last week that would have tied the Falcons’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 23. Koo made 2 of 3 field goals against the Bucs, but one caromed off the right upright. Koo being ruled out is not injury related.

Koo, who missed time last season because of a hip injury, is just 12-of-20 on field goals over his past nine games. Koo, 31, missed nine field goals last year, making just 73.5%, his worst percentage since becoming a full-time kicker with Atlanta in 2019.

Koo was once the most accurate kicker in the league, but now, among kickers with 20 or more field goal attempts since the start of 2024, Koo ranks No. 29 out of 31 in field goal percentage (73%). Romo, 28, was 11-of-12 on field goals last year in four games for Minnesota, his first opportunity to kick in the NFL.

Romo spent training camp with the New England Patriots, but was released on cut-down day. In 2023, he led the XFL in field goal percentage (17-of-19, 89.5%).

The benching

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Speaking publicly Friday afternoon for the first time since his ex-wife alleged domestic abuse during their marriage, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill declined to comment on his divorce case.

However, Hill said he’s focused more on his job than on any outside distractions, including his divorce hearings and trade rumors surrounding him.

“My focus right now is just playing ball, and spending time with my kids and just doing what I’m best at: providing for my family,” the wide receiver said. “So all the noise, I feel like if you allow that kind of stuff to get in the way of what you’re trying to do, it can only cloud what you’re really trying to get accomplished.”

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