DENVER — The Denver Broncos had been slogging their method via a uncommon clunker Sunday in opposition to the Green Bay Packers when cornerback Pat Surtain II delivered the game-saving takeaway.
The reigning NFL defensive participant of the 12 months laid out for Jordan Love’s deep throw to Christian Watson and secured his first interception of an injury-marred season, one which sparked the Broncos’ playoff-clinching, come-from-behind 34-26 win Sunday.
“We may have to use him on offense some,” Bo Nix cracked.
Denver’s second-year QB truly had loads of firepower. Nix tied a profession excessive with 4 landing passes — connecting with Michael Bandy, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin and Lil’Jordan Humphrey — to lead the Broncos (12-2) to their eleventh consecutive victory.
The Broncos clinched a playoff berth and moved a sport forward of New England for the No. 1 seed within the AFC. They stayed two video games forward of the Los Angeles Chargers within the AFC West.
Green Bay misplaced star move rusher Micah Parsons, who went down with a non-contact knee harm whereas chasing down Nix. Parsons, who had energized the inexperienced and gold ever since his gorgeous commerce from Dallas per week earlier than the season opener, is believed to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, an individual with information of the harm informed The Associated Press.
The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the severity of the harm hadn’t been confirmed by exams.
“I’m sickened,” Parsons, who compelled a fumble on Denver’s opening drive, informed the AP in a textual content message.
Parsons’ harm is a devastating blow to the Packers (9-4-1), who fell a half-game behind the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears forward of their Soldier Field showdown subsequent weekend.
Parsons was steps away from a sack when he immediately pulled up and fell to the bottom, grabbing at his left knee.
The Packers additionally misplaced Watson to a chest harm after Surtain fell on him following his third-quarter interception. Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that Watson went to a hospital for exams.
“I told the guys, ‘Nobody is going to feel sorry for us,’” LaFleur stated. “Everybody’s going to have to elevate their play.”
The Packers opened the second half with a TD drive to take a 23-14 lead. After Denver went three-and-out, the Packers went for the kill shot with a deep throw to Watson on first down and Surtain got here away with the ball, re-energizing each his sideline and the group.
“I think a play like that, a sudden turnover, just gets some adrenaline, gets some emotion back in the game,” stated Nix, who capitalized on the takeaway by main a landing drive that trimmed Denver’s deficit to 23-21.
“He’s had some ups and downs this season, he’s battled through it, and that was a Pat Surtain play right there. None many can make it,” Nix stated. “Big-time players make big plays in big moments.”
Riley Moss additionally recorded his first interceptions of the season. The Broncos sacked Love 3 times and held the Packers to only one landing in 4 journeys into the purple zone whereas going 4 for 4 themselves.
After scoring on their first 5 drives, the Packers managed one area aim of their remaining half-dozen possessions. The others resulted in a pair of picks, two turnovers on downs and a punt.
“We got a lot of fight,” Surtain stated. “The Packers, they got a great team on both sides of the ball. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. We kept reiterating that throughout the whole ball game: just finish, finish, finish and we’ll get the job done. … In order for us to be great, we’ve got to find a way to win those games.”
Surtain was one among a number of Broncos who comforted Parsons because the Packers’ medical personnel attended to him on the sector.
“It’s very tough,” Surtain stated. (*4*)
Seesaw sport
The sport featured a half-dozen lead adjustments.
“Well, we talked about it at halftime and we said that’s the habitat we’ve been living in,” stated Broncos coach Sean Payton, whose crew has pulled out 9 one-score victories throughout its 11-game successful streak, the franchise’s longest since 2012.
“When you get comfortable operating in those games, you don’t think anything of it,” Payton added.
Happy homecoming, kind of
Former Broncos kicker Brandon McManus kicked area targets of 56, 23 and 35 yards to assist the Packers take a 16-14 halftime lead and added a 37-yarder within the fourth quarter that pulled Green Bay inside 27-26 earlier than the Broncos iced it on R.J. Harvey’s 4-yard TD run.
Injuries
Packers: In addition to Parsons and Watson, TE Josh Whyle (concussion) and RT Zach Tom (knee) obtained damage.
Broncos: Harvey (ribs) was injured late within the sport. Also, ILB Justin Strnad (proper ankle) and S Brandon Jones (pectoral) obtained damage and didn’t return.
Up subsequent
Packers. At Chicago on Saturday.
Broncos: Host Jacksonville subsequent Sunday.