Broncos move Tillman to unfamiliar spot on 60 yard field goal

Denver shifted Dondrea Tillman for a late 60 yard field goal, a move that drew scrutiny of coaching choices and officiating calls.

Broncos move Tillman to unfamiliar spot on 60 yard field goal

Denver’s special teams unit used an unfamiliar alignment for a 60-yard field goal in the final moments against the Indianapolis Colts. The move, described by The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel, changed Tillman’s usual outside spot to an inside position for this kick only. Tillman leaped with one hand up and the other low as the ball sailed, and he later said the switch was a coaching decision and that he will study the film to learn from it.

The Broncos ended the drive with a loss, and many observers see a wider pattern behind the result. The game highlighted flaws on both sides of the ball, with the defense failing to stop the Colts when needed and the offense not closing the deal in late opportunities. A sequence of penalties added to the tension, and the lingering sense is that officials played a role in a game that felt within reach until the dramatic finish.

The decision to move Tillman reflects a willingness to experiment on special teams, a trend that can pay off but also invites risk when a game hangs in the balance. The tactic rests on precise timing and execution, and a misstep can become a talking point for weeks. This play illustrates how creative calls can complicate a game rather than calm it.

The broader question is whether coaches should push gimmicks late in games. If such moves become a pattern, they erode trust in the plan and invite extra scrutiny from players, fans, and officials. Denver now faces the task of converting flashes of creativity into consistent, reliable execution while preserving a clear, predictable late-game approach that opponents respect.

Highlights

The clock will keep ticking as Denver searches for a steadier path to win.