Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton revealed he planned a fake punt, dubbed "Rutgers Special," for a crucial fourth-down situation in overtime against the Buffalo Bills during their divisional round victory. The play, which Payton had prepared for a year, was designed to counter Buffalo's perceived strength with quarterback Josh Allen.

Ultimately, the players at the line of scrimmage vetoed the fourth-and-11 call. The Broncos punted, and the Bills subsequently threw an interception, sealing Denver's 33-30 win. The decision to punt rather than execute the risky fake punt played a direct role in the game's outcome.

This revelation comes from an ESPN story detailing Denver's postseason run. The report also touches on Payton's intense preparation, including late-night strategy sessions and seeking advice from Bill Parcells and Jerry Rice. The piece also notes the discovery of Bo Nix's broken ankle after the game and Payton's past idea to hire Bill Belichick as interim coach.