After a wild fourth quarter that saw both teams with a chance to win the game within the two-minute warning, the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns needed extra time to decide the outcome in Cleveland on Sunday.
Both teams had their chance, as Denver handed the ball to Cleveland very near field goal range, but the defense again came up huge, forcing a punt and giving the offense a chance to redeem itself.
Here’s how the fourth quarter unfolded as it played out on Twitter, with the Broncos walking away with an unlikely 26-23 victory:
Denver won the toss and elected to take the ball…
Broncos win the coin toss by calling tails. Denver ball first.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 18, 2015
Kapri Bibbs saw his first touch of the game and the season…
Kapri Bibbs, who was promoted to the 53-man roster yesterday, returns the punt 15 yards
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) October 18, 2015
Emmanuel Sanders returned after an injury late in the fourth quarter, but looked injured…
Sanders returns but can't raise left arm, exits the field after first snap
— Paul Klee (@bypaulklee) October 18, 2015
Demaryius Thomas had another huge drop, but the Broncos were bailed out by a 12-men-on-the-field penalty…
Demaryius Thomas with another inexcusable drop.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) October 18, 2015
Browns played third down with 12 men on the field. One more shot. #DENvsCLE
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) October 18, 2015
But on the very next play, Peyton Manning’s touch pass intended for Demaryius Thomas was intercepted…
Barkevious Mingo dropped into coverage and picked off Manning. Browns ball at the Denver 39.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 18, 2015
And there it is. Manning intercepted. Awful throw
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) October 18, 2015
But with the Browns on the edge of field goal range, Malik Jackson got a huge sack to force a third-and-21…
Malik Jackson sack. Monster
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) October 18, 2015
And the Broncos got to Josh McCown again on 3rd down…
Denver defense actually pushes this Browns offense BACKWARDS. Unreal! #DENvsCLE
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) October 18, 2015
How many times can this defense save this team's bacon? Remarkable.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) October 18, 2015
But the drama was not over yet. Jordan Norwood fumbled the ensuing punt…
Sanders hurting so Norwood returns the punt and of course drops it… #Broncos
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 18, 2015
Andrew Mason and Nick Griffith summed up the first two possessions of overtime perfectly…
For those of you who have not yet had a cardiac episode and are still with us, we are now on to the next possession …
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 18, 2015
#Broncos and #Browns coming down to whichever team wants to lose the most it seems. Who will give it away first. #UglyFootball
— Nick Griffith (@NickGriffithTV) October 18, 2015
On the Broncos’ ensuing possession, Manning got a huge third down conversion from Owen Daniels – his first catch of the day…
#Manning to @owendaniels. Move the chains. #DENvsCLE
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 18, 2015
After some key drops throughout the game, Demaryius Thomas pulled in back-to-back passes and get Denver moving into field goal range…
Demaryius Thomas with two tough catches in coverage, trying to make up for earlier drops.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 18, 2015
All of this, mind you, happened without Denver’s No. 1 receiver, Emmanuel Sanders…
https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/655844662784217094
C.J. Anderson converted a critical third and two that also got the Broncos into field goal range…
HUGE run by C.J. Anderson. Broncos move the sticks. Now at the Cleveland 34.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 18, 2015
He followed that with a big 10-yard gain…
Hey there is the C.J. I remember. Carrying people! #DENvCLE
— Sam Cowhick (@SamCowhick) October 18, 2015
All of the sudden CJ Anderson is a freight train!
— Spano (@BrandonSpano) October 18, 2015
And another three-yard pickup very much appreciated by a former Broncos leader…
This drive looks like the CJ Bronco fans know & love!!!! #AngryRunner
— Brian Dawkins (@BrianDawkins) October 18, 2015
Denver elected to pass on third down, a Manning bootleg, a questionable play call to some…
Why the hell are you not kicking here? #Broncos
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) October 18, 2015
But Manning connected with Daniels again…
Peyton to Owen Daniels on 3rd down. And here comes McManus. #DENvsCLE
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) October 18, 2015
That set up a fourth down, with Brandon McManus on to kick the game winner…
Why the hell are you not kicking here? #Broncos
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) October 18, 2015
The Browns tried to ice him…
.@Browns TO
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 18, 2015
Fortunately, there was no denying McManus…
And @thekidmcmanus is GOOD from 34 yards out … somehow, some way, the Broncos escape from Cleveland with a 26-23 overtime win.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 18, 2015
The Broncos picked up the “W” and enter the bye 6-0, but there are still major concerns before they face Green Bay…
I don't care that they're 6-and-0. Never been so concerned about a 6-and-0 team in my life. So many offensive issues. #ByeWeekTherapy
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) October 18, 2015
