Denver Scores 33 in Fourth Quarter to Seal Unbelievable Win
The Denver Broncos delivered one of the most remarkable comebacks in NFL history Sunday, storming back from an 18-point deficit in the final 10 minutes to defeat the New York Giants 33–32 at Empower Field. The victory, sealed by Will Lutz’s last-second field goal, left players and fans in disbelief.
“We fought to the end,” said cornerback Pat Surtain II. “In this league, no matter how much you’re down, there’s always a will and there’s always a way.”
Before this game, teams trailing by at least 18 points with six minutes left had lost 1,602 consecutive times. But Denver rewrote history with 33 points in the fourth quarter—the most in franchise history and tied for the second-most in any NFL quarter. Quarterback Bo Nix led the charge with two passing touchdowns and two rushing scores, becoming the first player ever to do so in a final quarter.
“I don’t even know how we scored 33 points in a quarter,” Nix said. “It’s just whatever we had to get done, we did it—by any means necessary.”
From Disaster to Domination
For three quarters, the Broncos were lifeless. The offense punted six times on nine possessions, and rookie Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart exploited Denver’s defense with 210 passing yards and two touchdowns, building a 19–0 lead entering the fourth.
“We had to find a way to clean up our mess,” said head coach Sean Payton.
Momentum shifted when Nix connected with Troy Franklin for a 2-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, followed by a successful two-point conversion. Suddenly, Denver found rhythm. The Giants briefly reasserted control when Theo Johnson turned a deflected pass into a 41-yard score, extending New York’s lead to 26–8.
Then came Denver’s avalanche. The Broncos mounted a 13-play, 74-yard drive capped by a touchdown and another two-point conversion. Moments later, linebacker Justin Strnad intercepted Dart and returned the ball to the Giants’ 19-yard line. Four plays later, Denver trimmed the lead to 26–23.
A Wild Finish for the Ages
The Broncos’ defense forced a quick three-and-out, setting up another Nix masterpiece. He orchestrated a six-play, 68-yard drive, finishing it with an 18-yard scramble for the go-ahead touchdown with 1:51 left.
But the Giants weren’t done. A controversial pass interference call on Denver’s Riley Moss, followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Payton, moved the ball to the 1-yard line. Dart punched it in for a 32–30 Giants lead with 37 seconds remaining.
Nix responded with poise, hitting Marvin Mims Jr. for 29 yards and Courtland Sutton for another 22 to set up Lutz’s 39-yard field goal as time expired. The stadium erupted as the Broncos completed the largest fourth-quarter comeback by a scoreless team through three quarters in NFL history.
“I’ve never been down by that much and come back,” said linebacker Nik Bonitto. “It was crazy. I’m still geeked.”
Giants Stunned, Broncos Soar
For the Giants, the collapse was devastating. Defensive captain Dexter Lawrence admitted the loss was worse than their earlier heartbreak against Dallas. “Can’t give up 33 points in the fourth quarter,” he said.
Frustrations boiled over as Brian Burns, who recorded two sacks, criticized the late-game defensive play-calling. “Drop eight!” he shouted in anger after the game, referring to a three-man rush that allowed Denver’s deep completions.
The Broncos, meanwhile, left the field stunned but energized. Once mired in inconsistency, they now have a signature win that could define their season—and perhaps mark the beginning of a new era under Nix and Payton.