Broncos Complete Historic Fourth-Quarter Comeback to Edge Giants 33-32

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Denver, CO — The Denver Broncos, who struggled through the first three quarters, mounted an astonishing comeback to defeat the New York Giants 33-32 on Sunday. A last-second 39-yard field goal by Wil Lutz sealed the victory after Denver scored on each of its final five drives. “I lost hope, I ain’t gonna lie. I lost hope,” said Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain. “It was one of those games where we didn’t execute. Going to the film room, there’s a lot of corrections. But one thing we didn’t lose was composure. We fought to the end. In this league, no matter how much you’re down, there’s always a will, and there’s always a way.”

The Broncos’ 33-point fourth quarter set an NFL record for the most points scored by a team that had been shut out for the first three quarters. Quarterback Bo Nix made history as the first player to throw for two touchdowns and rush for two more in a single fourth quarter. Denver’s comeback also ended a streak in which teams leading by 18 points in the final six minutes had won 1,602 consecutive games. “I don’t even know how we scored 33 points in a quarter,” Nix admitted. “That’s kind of insane. You win a game like that, it’s the best thing ever.”

The Giants, who had led 19-0 and 26-8, were left stunned. Tight end Daniel Bellinger said, “This is going to haunt us for a long time.” Giants coach Brian Daboll added, “Tough loss. Everybody gave everything they had.” Trailing 26-8 with 6:38 remaining, Denver’s win probability was less than 1%, according to Next Gen Stats. The Broncos responded with a 7-yard touchdown run by Nix, a 2-yard TD reception by R.J. Harvey off an interception, an 18-yard Nix keeper, and Lutz’s game-winning kick following Jaxson Dart’s 1-yard touchdown that briefly gave the Giants a 32-30 lead. Denver’s final drive featured crucial gains of 29 yards to Marvin Mims and 22 yards to Courtland Sutton. With no timeouts, Nix spiked the ball with two seconds remaining, setting up Lutz’s successful kick. Coach Sean Payton praised his team’s resilience, saying, “I was proud we fought to get back in it. It’s like we had to find a way to clean up our mess.” Denver briefly appeared at risk of being shut out at home for the first time in franchise history, managing only 111 yards on its first eight possessions but 295 yards on its final five drives.

The Broncos’ 33-point quarter ranks as the second-highest in NFL history, behind only Detroit’s 34-point fourth quarter in a 2007 win over Chicago. The game also featured several unusual plays, including a deflected 2-yard touchdown catch by Harvey and a Giants touchdown on a ricocheted pass to tight end Theo Johnson. The Broncos honored the late Demaryius Thomas by inducting him into the team’s Ring of Fame and celebrated the 10th anniversary of their Super Bowl 50 championship. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw made his season debut for Denver, recording six tackles after returning from a quadriceps injury.

Injuries: The Giants lost S Jevon Holland to a knee injury in the first half and CB Paulson Adebo in the third quarter. Broncos RT Mike McGlinchey left briefly with an injury but returned to the game.

Up Next: The Giants visit the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Broncos host the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday.