McGlinchey Keeps It Real on Payton's Fourth-Down Gamble
In the AFC Championship, the Denver Broncos lost 10-7 to the New England Patriots after Sean Payton chose to go for it on 4th-and-1 in the second quarter instead of taking a field goal, a gamble that backfired as the offense didn’t convert and the Broncos left points on the board. Mike McGlinchey gave a blunt, non-committal reply—“Coach makes the calls. I operate what is called”—suggesting he didn’t fully back the decision, though he stopped short of a full endorsement. With hindsight and a few other misplays (including a 54-yard field goal miss), the decision is being questioned even as the defense played well.
