NFL fans lose their cool as Broncos fake punt for first down: "Ruthless aggression, I love it"

The last time the Denver Broncos were a contender in the playoffs, Peyton Manning was the quarterback and they became Super Bowl champions. The Broncos have ended that nearly ten-year playoff drought and hope to make a run this postseason.

Early in the second quarter of the wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, head coach Sean Payton decided a fake punt was the route to take. Punter Riley Dixon executed a 15-yard pass to wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. to pick up the first down.

As the clip circulated on X, fans couldn't contain their shock and awe at not only the decision to attempt a fake punt but also the perfect execution of the pass by Dixon.

"Payton doing everything he possibly can to try and make this a championship team. Ruthless aggression, I love it," one fan said.

Some fans noted that it was something they would expect Payton to attempt to throw off the Bills.

"It's that time of season," one fan said.

"Wasn’t fake. He meant it," another suggested.

"Totally caught me off guard,"one person said.

One fan predicted that it may not even be the last time that Sean Payton attempts a fake play like that one. Down 10-7 at the time and on a fourth and eight, the Denver Broncos head coach felt that it was the ideal time to fake a punt.

Fans also remember that in Super Bowl XLIV, Payton called an onside kick to start the second half. That decision helped lead his Saints to a win over the Colts.

"Fake it till you make it! LOL," one fan joked.

"WHAT JUST HAPPENED HOLYYY," one fan said.

"Not Paytons first or last fake punt," one fan predicted.

Broncos HC Sean Payton shared what he missed about being in the postseason

Sean Payton returned to the NFL coaching confines in 2023 after a one-year retirement after stepping back from the New Orleans Saints. After a disastrous first season with Denver last year, Payton drafted quarterback Bo Nix and the team won ten games.

Before Sunday's wild-card road game against the Buffalo Bills, Payton told reporters that he missed the feeling of being in the playoffs. It has been four seasons since he made the postseason.

"It's amazing, it seemed like yesterday we were starting the season," Payton said (via Reuters). "The weeks fly by. The detail -- everything matters. Then all of a sudden when you're away from it, there's that void. There's nothing like it. It's enjoyable."

If Payton can lead the Denver Broncos to a win over Buffalo, he will have even more time to enjoy the postseason.