Karl Mecklenburg originally shared this post on his social media pages, and it was re-shared here with permission.

The Broncos beat the Washington Commanders on the road Sunday night. I watched the game at The Colorado Keg House with Kathi, my friend Martin from 5280 Loans, and lots of Broncos fans at a fundraiser for St Judes Hospital. The game came down to Washington going for a 2-point extra point conversion to win in overtime. On that final play, as he was rushing the Commanders quarterback, Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto leaped in the air and knocked down the pass intended for a wide-open running back in the endzone. Broncos win!

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Bonitto made a series of decisive choices to make that play. I’m not in their meeting rooms, but as a general rule, the edge rusher in man coverage is supposed to peel off with the running back that crosses his face in coverage instead of rushing. Usually the back lines up on your side when he’s releasing on your side. Washington’s back started from the other side of the ball, and Nik rushed wide so the back couldn’t cross his face when he released on his route, so technically Bonitto made the right choice.

Bonitto left his feet to knock down the pass. Don’t do that, unless it works. As the edge rusher, Nik had contain, meaning he isn’t supposed to let the quarterback get outside of him. The coaching staff was very concerned with lane integrity in the pass rush this week. They didn’t get their usual amount of pressure because they were more concerned with the Washington quarterback running than they were with him throwing. Mariota is a scrambler, and once you jump as a contain rusher a scrambling quarterback can easily break contain, unless he throws the ball. Great choice, Nik.

How does decisiveness affect your life, your business, your family? I’ve found great value in experience and preparation when I make choices in my speaking business and in my relationships. When I’m prepared, and allow myself to be decisive, I’ll make the right decision.

During every play in a football game, every player on the field is making multiple immediate choices that decide the success or failure of the play. In football, being decisive is mandatory. Not acting is always wrong. Players spend much more time in meeting rooms learning what to do, and what not to do, than they spend on the field practicing. NFL football is a mental game, that’s what separates players from athletes. They’re all athletes, that’s a given. Players that make the right choice quickly look like the better athletes because they aren’t always trying to catch up. Clutch plays by clutch players win games. The Broncos have won 9 games in a row now and the Commanders have lost 7 in a row. Just a couple of plays usually decide a football game. The Broncos have made those plays and Washington hasn’t. Broncos players and coaches are making the right decisions. Go Broncos!

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Mecklenburg played for the Denver Broncos from 1983-1994, earning six Pro Bowl nods and five All-Pro selections during his decorated career in the NFL. Mecklenburg is now a motivational keynote speaker. You can book Mecklenburg on his website. 

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Karl Mecklenburg says Nik Bonitto made right choice