The Denver Broncos absolutely crushed the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Following the high-scoring affair, the final score was 44-24, but the game was over long before the clock hit zero.
Hea Coach Brian Schottenheimer made one decision that looked like he was waving a white flag. Late in the third quarter, trailing 30-17, he faced 4th-and-5 from his 44-yard line.
He chose to punt at the time instead of using his dynamic attack. That single call became the lightning rod to make fans angry following the destructive loss.
Cowboys Fans Clap Back at Brian Schottenheimer Hard After Another Offensive Blunder
The Cowboys were down 30-17 late in the third quarter. When the HC chose to punt, everyone knew Schottenheimer had prepared to go to the locker room.
Just one drive earlier, Schottenheimer went for it on 4th-and-3 at Denver’s 27 instead of kicking an easy field goal. He knew that his chances of scoring from seven yards were leaking faster than time passed.
So what changed? Field position, maybe. But when you’re down two scores and your defense can’t stop anyone, geography means nothing.
As one fan perfectly summarized it, noting, “Brian Schottenheimer traded 4th-and-5 with the Cowboys trailing by 13 points for 1st-and-10 with the Cowboys trailing by 20 points.”
Brian Schottenheimer traded 4th and 5 with the Cowboys trailing by 13 points for 1st and 10 with the Cowboys trailing by 20 points.
This isn’t rocket science. You CANNOT keep punting in the second half when your defense stinks.
Just a stupid coaching decision. https://t.co/QQM0RGncW1
— Scott Reichel (@ReichelRadio) October 26, 2025
The Broncos did exactly what everyone expected. They marched down the field and scored a touchdown to push the lead to 37-17. Soon after, they added another score, and the referee blew the final whistle.
Dallas entered Week 8 as the NFL’s worst total defense and third-worst scoring defense. Schottenheimer’s best defense was keeping his offense on the pitch. But he took a path that put him under fire. Many on social media showed no mercy following his decision.
One fan wrote, “This isn’t rocket science. You CANNOT keep punting in the second half when your defense stinks. Just a stupid coaching decision.”
Another added, “Just unreal to punt in that situation. Every other coach in the NFL goes for that. I’ve seen enough of Schotty.”
A third claimed, “Can’t afford to punt, Schotty. Second time he’s made this mistake. Have to know your team.”
The fourth one bluntly noted, “At least know how to wave a white flag.”
The criticism went beyond a single play. The main head chose to punt on 4th-and-1 late in the first half with the team down 20–10 from their own 29. The Broncos then marched 72 yards for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 27–10.
ALSO READ: The Cowboys’ Cheerleader Scandal: Inside the Cover-Up That Cost Millions
Later, his decision-making grew even more confusing. After calling an aggressive play on 4th-and-3, he played it safe and punted on 4th-and-5, leaving everyone scratching their head.
His attack was stacked from the beginning of the season. Lamb, Pickens, Ferguson, and Javonte Williams can light things up, but he punted and hoped a front seven ranked dead last in DVOA would hold. Trading Micah Parsons seems to have left a hole up front that the team still hasn’t figured out how to fill.
