As someone who has watched the Denver Broncos since the 1980s, I am quite familiar with the aura that was Mile High Magic. We can all agree that aura has been missing for quite a few years — maybe even
a full decade. Last year, I felt like maybe it was making a return in Denver under Bo Nix. Yesterday, I think there is no denying it.
Of all the comeback wins I’ve enjoyed as a Broncos fan over those decades, none was as crazy and improbable as their 33-point fourth quarter fury against the New York Giants on Sunday. That game went from zero game balls plenty of them and I am sure we left a few off the board here today. At 5-2, the Broncos are a game up on the AFC West and realistically only need to lock down five more wins to remain in the playoff mix. This team has found its identity when the chips are down, but there is a lot to clean up before they find their identity when their backs aren’t against a wall in a game.
Here are Mile High Report’s game balls!
Bo Nix
There is something about Nix and the fourth quarter. No matter the situation, the Broncos quarterback will give his team a chance. And that was the case on Sunday against the Giants. Was it ever. Down 19-0, Nix led a historic comeback for the Broncos and one of the best wins in franchise history. In that fourth quarter, Nix threw for 174 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 46 yards and two MORE touchdowns. For the game, Nix was 27-for-50 passing for 279 yards and two touchdowns. He also finished with 48 yards rushing on five carries and two touchdowns. But nothing was better than those two passes that led to the game-winning field goal after giving up the lead. Holy shit, those two passes. What a gutsy, resilient effort by Denver, led by Nix.
As noted at the top, there is something about Nix and the fourth quarter. To wit: He’s made 24 career starts and he already has six fourth quarter comebacks and six game-winning drives, including in each of the last three games. It’d be nice if Nix and the Broncos offense could figure out the first three quarters, but this kind of historic win should do a lot. What a win. What a showing by Nix. – Ian St. Clair
Courtland Sutton
When Bo Nix needs a play, he invariably looks Courtland Sutton’s way. The two have such great chemistry and, together, can single-handedly keep the offense alive at times. What Nix said of Sutton after the game exemplifies why the two make such a great tandem.
“I love playing with a guy like him because there’s no prima donna, he works harder than everybody in the locker room, he’s one of the oldest vets in the locker room and he works harder than everybody else,” Nix said of Sutton. “He runs more than anybody else. He trains more than anybody else. He never complains. You never hear a word out of him, and the way he practices is how he plays, and I think that’s why it translates. I’m just super thankful to play with a teammate like that. They don’t make many like him. I’m just fortunate to have a guy like that.”
And that sentiment translates on the field when its a third down must-have type throw or its a two-minute hurry up drill, Nix to Sutton is as reliable as it gets. Have a game ball, sir! – Tim Lynch
Justin Strnad
At 3rd-and-5 with under 5 minutes to go and the Giants leading 26-16, Justin Strnad got the team’s first interception of the season and it could NOT have been any more crucial. The takeaway stopped a driving Giants offense, gave the Broncos better field position than they had had most of the day and led to quick points, which was a major part of what would become the biggest comeback in franchise history. – Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann
Zach Allen
Just another workmanlike game from the leader of the defensive line. Zach Allen had 4 tackles (one solo), 0.5 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 2 PBUs. – Joe Mahoney
Wil Lutz
On an afternoon when Jude McAtamney’s meltdown opened the door and Bo Nix’s 4th quarter heroics pulled the team to the threshold, Will Lutz’s steady leg let the Broncos walk through to an improbable victory. 2/2 on extra points is a footnote in most games, but vs the Giants it made all the difference. And kicking the game winner with 2 seconds left on the clock & all the pressure of a potential historic comeback weighing on you, in front of a frantic home crowd no less… that’s the moment when an NFL kicker earns all their money. Lutz nailed it. Well done! – Taylor Kothe
Riley Moss
Riley Moss gets my game ball this week for playing phenomenal man coverage deep, turning to look for the ball, and defending the pass perfectly for the Broncos. Crooked referees don’t appreciate great play, but I sure as hell do. Moss is a superb corner playing in a scheme that puts him in the limelight. He brings it as a high level every play even when the refs try to dog him. – Sadaraine
Demaryius Thomas
I could have gone any number of ways with my game ball. The best way was to honor the great Demaryius Thomas. On a day when he was honored by the organization as the newest member of the Ring of Fame, the Broncos dug the deepest of holes before the 4th quarter. Then Mile High Magic took over. When it was all said and done, Denver put up 33 points in the final 15 minutes and won on a last second field goal. But what hung over the game was the legacy and memory of DT. Every player, coach, staff member, and fan has spent the whole week reminiscing about his greatness as a player. But even more we remember what a great person he was. We miss him. We love him. We will never forget him, and he got one more special day at Mile High Stadium. LLDT88. – Adam Malnati
