Denver, CO
3 Unbelievable Takeaways from Broncos’ Historic Win Over Giants
‘Mile High Magic’ has officially returned to Denver, after fans were treated to a thrilling Week 7 contest that saw a furious fourth-quarter rally by the ‘Orange and Blue.’
After trailing 19-0 in the fourth quarter, the Denver Broncos devised a miraculous comeback, scoring 33 points in the fourth quarter, the most by any NFL team that had previously been shut out in the first three quarters of action.
The 5-2 Broncos beat the 2-5 New York Giants 33-32, furthering their four-game winning streak as Denver remains undefeated at home, undefeated in the month of October, and undefeated against rookie quarterbacks.
The team’s thrilling homecoming win was delivered on the same day that Super Bowl 50 champion and late-receiver Demaryius Thomas was posthumously inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame. The befitting honor was celebrated during alumni weekend, where over 170 former players were welcomed for the largest Broncos alumni reunion in team history.
For Denver, the win propels them to the top of the division with a one-game lead over the 4-3 Los Angeles Chargers and 4-3 Kansas City Chiefs.
Although this game could’ve easily gone in the Giants’ favor, it’s important to give credit where credit is due as the Broncos continue to find ways to win games and surge to the top of the league with a winning record.
Let’s get into three spectacular takeaways from another thrilling Broncos victory.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix couldn’t have played a more bizarre football game than what we witnessed on Sunday. The second-year team captain led an anemic passing offense that endured six punts and one turnover on downs before ever scoring their first set of points in the fourth quarter of action.
Nix would eventually find receiver Troy Franklin on a two-yard touchdown pass just one minute into the fourth quarter, sparking a franchise record for fourth quarter points scored as the Broncos quarterback also tossed a two-point conversion pass to Courtland Sutton just one play later.
While some rolled their eyes at what should’ve been garbage time points for a team that was dominated by New York through most of the game, Nix heated up and led his Denver offense across the finish line. Despite going 27-for-50 for 279 passing yards and two touchdowns, it was Nix’s elite level of athleticism on the ground and competitiveness that allowed him to put the game on his shoulders.
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Nix averaged 9.6 yards per carry with 48 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, proving to Broncos Country why he’s the undeniable, franchise quarterback that this fan base has so desperately been waiting for.
Despite some fans leaving the contest early due to New York’s stranglehold on Denver, Nix earned 218 total yards, four total touchdowns, and overcame a 19-point deficit to lead the Broncos to their third home win.
It’s so blatantly clear that when Nix’s handcuffs are removed from a playcalling perspective, the Broncos offense is not only able to move the football but can score points in dramatic fashion, no matter the odds.
It makes one wonder how good this offense could be if they started out like they finish in the fourth quarter. Perhaps that’s something Nix can get through to his head coach.
After missing six games due to a quad injury, prized defensive free agent addition and linebacker Dre Greenlaw made his Broncos debut against the Giants on Sunday.
He was previously activated off injured reserve and was on a specific snap count for his first regular-season game in Vance Joseph’s top-ranked defense, splitting time with fellow linebacker Justin Strnad.
Greenlaw’s presence was a welcome addition, specifically in run defense, as Denver limited Giants running back Cam Skattebo to a 3.8-yard per carry average with 60 yards rushing, despite allowing a 31-yard rushing touchdown to New York’s Tyrone Tracy. He’d finish the game with one tackle and five assists as the veteran defender found his sea legs in Denver’s stingy defense.
But it was Strnad whose presence ultimately provided a defensive spark for the Broncos down 26-16 with just under five minutes left. Strnad was able to nab a critical interception from Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, which fueled and sustained the momentous Broncos, who had all the game’s energy on their sideline. The lone turnover of the game proved timely for Denver’s comeback rally as the fifth-year veteran has been a consistent playmaker in the wake of Greenlaw’s absence.
Strnad recorded two tackles, two assists, one quarterback hit, and one pass deflection in Denver’s comeback win, proving to be a valuable asset when the chips are down. Suddenly, the Broncos find themselves with a unique problem at inside linebacker as they’ll be tasked with the reallocation of defensive snaps between their prized new addition and old faithful.
Broncos offensive play caller Sean Payton’s bipolar offense has been well-documented since the beginning of the season. Some have called for the veteran coach to ditch his famous play script that dictates specific play calls to begin during the initial sequence of games, while others have overreacted and called for offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi to call the plays.
The fact of the matter is, the offense is called solely under the supervision of Payton, who’ll continue to wear the headset and give Nix the plays so long as he’s the head coach in Denver.
But how should Broncos Country digest this current offense, which was 4-for-13 on third down and didn’t show up until the fourth quarter? Surely this team can’t survive most games by waiting to be productive until the final moments in the fourth quarter.
Despite earning 25 first downs, the Broncos’ run game was never consistent or productive, gaining a total of 142 yards rushing in the entire contest. Despite JK Dobbins averaging 5.8 yards per carry, Payton was hellbent on forcing Nix to throw the football during predictable and ineffective pass plays throughout three quarters of action.
It almost feels as if Payton’s play-calling strengths are revealed as the game progresses, while getting a feel for an offensive attack seems to escape him in the early phases of action. Another bad habit that continues to fester remains with penalties as the Broncos, who were called for a whopping 12 flags, forfeited 127 yards.
Sometimes we’re all guilty of paralysis by analysis and getting in our own heads. At this point, I’m completely convinced that Payton gets in his own way when it comes to calling the perfect play when the Broncos offense initially takes the field.
Instead, I’d encourage someone on the roster, the coaching staff, or in the building to challenge the Broncos veteran head coach to be the best version of himself. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel; sometimes keeping it simple is enough to win games and keep guys believing in themselves and the team.
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Denver, CO
Lisa Calderón will run against Denver Mayor Mike Johnston in 2027
Calderón, who is the first person besides Johnston to enter the race, placed third in the last mayoral election, narrowly missing the final runoff. She also placed third when she ran in 2019.
“Across neighborhoods, people are urging me to run and telling me the same thing: despite Mike Johnston’s campaign promises, things have only gotten harder,” she said in a news release.
Calderón is the executive director of Women Uprising, an organization that trains progressive women in Colorado to run for office. Calderón helped form the group after a similar organization, Emerge Colorado, disbanded amid a rift with its national parent organization.
In her announcement, Calderón focused on criticisms of Johnston, who she said has been bad for Denver. Calderón said she decided to run for mayor again after Johnston laid off 169 employees last August in response to an estimated $200 million budget gap.
“Someone has to stand up and take him on. I came very close to beating him once, and I am the best person to challenge him and win,” she said.
Calderón was also a frequent critic of Johnston’s predecessor, Michael Hancock. She butted heads with him often while serving as the top staffer for former City Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca.
During her campaign, she plans to focus on cost-of-living issues, community-based safety efforts, a housing-first homelessness strategy, bike and pedestrian safety, workers’ issues and small businesses.
Campaign materials obtained by The Denver Post included promises like reinstating laid-off workers, ending the city’s contract with the controversial surveillance company Flock, building more affordable housing and expanding universal child care.
Calderón, a fourth-generation Denverite, holds four degrees — a bachelor’s in English, a master’s in liberal studies, a law degree and a doctorate in education.
Johnston became mayor in 2023 after soundly defeating Kelly Brough, the former CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, by more than 10 percentage points in a runoff election. The two faced off after an initial general election with 17 candidates.
Calderón planned to formally file for the election at 10 a.m. Tuesday. She will host a campaign kick-off Feb. 11 at Su Teatro Cultural & Performing Arts Center.
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Denver, CO
Broncos’ Pro Bowlers embrace Davis Webb’s potential play-calling ascent: ‘It’d be awesome’
SAN FRANCISCO, California — A knowing smile flashed across Garett Bolles’ face at the simple mention of the name “Davis,” the offensive wunderkind with a new role but uncertain responsibilities in Denver’s building.
Bolles, the Broncos’ rugged left tackle, is 33 years old. A full two years older than the 31-year-old Davis Webb. Both were drafted in 2017: Bolles, a first-round offensive lineman, Webb, a third-round quarterback. Fast-forward to the present , and Bolles is about to play a 10th NFL season with Webb as his new offensive coordinator in Denver.
So what of the possibility that Sean Payton could hand over the play-calling reins to Webb, too?
“It’d be awesome, man,” Bolles said Monday after the AFC’s Pro Bowl practice, grinning. “DW is the best. We love him. I’m excited to see what he can do for us.”
On Monday, nearly 1,000 miles away from a rapidly-changing facility in Denver, the Broncos’ best and brightest gathered at the Moscone Center in San Francisco for a couple of days of Pro Bowl festivities and basking in football regality. Bolles was having more fun than anyone, palling around with fellow Pro Bowl contemporaries and snapping the ball during the AFC’s walkthrough. Receiver Courtland Sutton caught a few half-speed passes from former Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco, now a veteran with the Cincinnati Bengals. Defensive lineman Zach Allen played in an afternoon Dodgeball game and accidentally beaned another Pro Bowl lineman in the face.
Still, widespread mirth masked an unmistakable melancholy. All of them wished they were in the Bay Area for a few days longer, a week after an AFC title-game loss to New England that ended their season short of a Super Bowl.
“I just try to avoid the Super Bowl ads and everything as much as possible,” Allen told The Denver Post. “Every time (I) see it, I get pretty upset. Maybe after the game, I’ll calm down a little bit.”
Aftershocks from that Patriots loss have rippled through the Broncos’ staff. Denver fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, receivers coach Keary Colbert and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch. Senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael and defensive passing-game coordinator Jim Leonhard left for jobs with the Buffalo Bills. But Denver has ensured a couple of key coaching retentions, as Payton officially hired Webb as his OC Monday — in a move that could signal Payton is ready to pass off play-calling duties for the first time in an 18-year head-coaching career.
Broncos lifers are on board.
“Whatever happens, happens,” Sutton told The Post when asked about Webb potentially being his play-caller. “I love Davis, and so if he gets the opportunity to call the plays — I think he has the heartbeat of the offense. And so everybody’s going to enjoy having him, if that is what winds up happening.”
The Broncos, too, will all but surely see Vance Joseph back as defensive coordinator in 2026. After two straight seasons in command of the NFL’s No. 3 defense, the league’s head-coaching carousel spun through 10 jobs without any team hiring Joseph.
“Selfishly, I’m not (upset),” outside linebacker Nik Bonitto told The Post, “because I love VJ. And I love having him be my DC. But, no, his time will come soon, for sure.”
It’s slightly bittersweet. Joseph was one of the NFL’s hottest coaching names at the start of the cycle, and received interview requests from six of seven initial teams with head-coach openings. But interest quickly fizzled, and Joseph was left on the outside looking in again. Not a single Black candidate was hired this cycle.
“He deserves it,” Allen said. “I mean, he would make an incredible head coach. He’s a leader of men. Like, he checks every single box. I don’t know what the teams are looking for.
“But for us, it’s good news,” Allen continued. “So we’ll take it, however it plays out. So, yeah. He definitely deserves a shot. But the fact that we get to steal another year of him, we’ll take it.”
Allen called Joseph “the top assistant coach in football,” and he and Bonitto both lauded the benefit of continuity for Denver’s defense under Joseph in 2026.
“I know all the defensive guys are excited,” Bonitto said of Joseph’s return, “so it’s going to be really good.”
With Webb and Joseph entrenched, Denver will now turn its attention to free agency, needing to make decisions on a slew of key in-house free agents. And just the same as with staff, players continue to advocate for retention in the building, as the Broncos try to build past a No. 1 seed and a sudden end to 2025.
“I think getting Nik signed, getting Zach signed, myself getting signed — I think getting those guys signed was huge,” Sutton said. “And I think we’re going to have another big offseason of signing guys back that helped us, and will continue to help us.”
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Denver, CO
Broncos officially interviewed Davis Webb for their offensive coordinator position
According to the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson, the Denver Broncos officially interviewed pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Davis Webb for their vacant offensive coordinator position. Tomasson adds that sources have told him that Webb is the leading candidate for the job.
The Broncos surprisingly fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi last week after head coach Sean Payton expressed some displeasure about the offense during the team’s end-of-the-year press conference. He is a longtime assistant coach for Payton, so this was a surprising and significant change to his coaching staff. The leading candidate from the start to replace Lombardi was pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, who is viewed as an up-and-coming coach in the NFL. However, at the time, Webb was in the running to be the Las Vegas Raiders head coach and had multiple other teams interested in him to be their offensive coordinator.
So, the Broncos had some competition for Webb’s services. However, Webb would later withdraw from the Raiders head coaching search, and many of the teams interested in Webb as an offensive coordinator would go on to hire other coaches to fill their vacancies. While nothing is official, all signs do point to Webb returning to the Broncos, but this time as their offensive coordinator.
If/when the Broncos do announce that they have hired Webb to be their OC, the big question will be about play-calling. Will head coach Sean Payton hand over play-calling duties to Davis Webb in some capacity, or will Webb have the same role that Lombardi held previously? Even if he doesn’t get play-calling duties, having more responsibilities and a bigger voice in the week-to-week game planning should be beneficial for Webb and the Broncos moving forward.
With Webb’s interview officially done and the Broncos fulfilling their Rooney Rule obligations, we should have an official announcement sooner rather than later.
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