Please go ahead and "completely" debunk it. I'm willing to see it from your point of view.
Could you explain how a punt burns more time then a run then a punt?
That said, I have no problems with it--it wasn't being cute. It wasn't showing anyone up. It's a football play. The game is out of hand, Denver is pissed and bringing the house, you punt it away with no returner deep.
I read that Elway punted something like 9 or 10 times in his career.