Rookie QBs Nix, Penix denied major moments by head coaches’ curious calls in waning minutes

DENVER — Count coach Sean Payton among those second-guessing his decision to go for the tie and not the win at the end of regulation in Cincinnati last weekend. I know I kind of felt I trusted my gut at the moment, but yes, I think it’s normal to do that.” That was an entirely different tone than Payton had in the emotional aftermath of Denver’s 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals on Saturday when he insisted, “The decision we made was the right one.” Giving the ball back to Joe Burrow, the NFL’s hottest quarterback, wasn’t the best of moves for the Broncos, who didn’t force a single punt in regulation, something Payton acknowledged he didn’t realize until it was mentioned in his postgame news conference. “Yes, I definitely want the ball and a chance to win the game,” said Nix, who nonetheless deferred to Payton, saying those calls are the coach’s. Playing for overtime backfired on the Broncos when the Bengals outgained them 119 yards to 6 yards in overtime and Burrow threw his third touchdown pass to Tee Higgins to keep Cincy’s slim playoff hopes alive and deny Denver a playoff-clinching win for the second straight weekend. It was the same fate for the Atlanta Falcons after coach Raheem Morris’ questionable clock management ahead of a 56-yard field goal try by Riley Patterson that came up short at the end of regulation and sent their game against the Washington Commanders into overtime Sunday.