In a game that featured the highest stakes since the team’s Super Bowl 50 season, the Denver Broncos found themselves on the brink of having their playoff chances knocked down and rallied to win vs. the Indianapolis Colts in a must-win game. For the second consecutive game, Nik Bonitto and Marvin Mims changed the course of the game for a Broncos team who had their backs against the wall in the third quarter.
Denver Broncos score 24 unanswered vs. Colts
The Denver Broncos came up big late with big plays from Marvin Mims and Nik Bonitto to rally against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, elevating the Broncos playoff chances significantly on a day where Bo Nix and the Broncos offense struggled for three quarters of play.
With the Colts threatening to go up 20-7, running back Jonathan Taylor dropped the ball one yard shy of the endzone leading to a touchback, and from that point forward the ball bounced the Broncos way. Nix shook off a three-interception performance and threw three touchdowns on the day, while Denver’s offense only accumulated 193 net yards of offense.
Biggest turning point for the Denver Broncos – Marvin Mims and Nik Bonitto resuscitate Broncos energy
After trailing 10-0 in the first half, and the Broncos offense struggling to do much at all in this game, it was the efforts of Nik Bonitto and Marvin Mims that resuscitated a crowd that was growing restless. It all started with Mims breaking off a 60-yard punt return that set up a Bo Nix to Nate Adkins touchdown that gave the Broncos their first lead of the game.
MARVELOUS MARVIN.#ProBowlVote + @marvindmims pic.twitter.com/3rhiz0HIKd
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 15, 2024
With a 17-13 lead and the Colts knocking at the door trying to answer, Nik Bonitto kicked it in and snagged a double pass attempt for a pick-six, extending the Broncos lead to 24-13 and the raucous energy at Empower Field at Mile High was back.
CASA BONITTO!!!!#ProBowlVote + @nikkkkbonitto pic.twitter.com/F3PgKZ0dry
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 16, 2024
Bonitto also notched a .5 sack in Sunday’s win, giving him 11.5 on the season and bringing him one sack behind Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. His defensive player of the year case continues to heat up.
After snagging his fourth interception of the season, Patrick Surtain II took a low shot from Josh Downs and suffered an ankle injury. He returned to the game and appeared to re-aggravate it. Surtain went to the locker room with trainers but appeared to be walking around alright in the locker room after the game.
We’ll monitor his status throughout the week for Thursday Night Football.
Player who had an underrated impact – Kris Abrams-Draine
The Broncos rookie cornerback got his first NFL start opposite of Patrick Surtain II and stepped up in several big moments in coverage, including a fourth quarter pass break up on fourth-down. Denver’s rookie cornerback was consistent with his coverage, getting in phase and not shying away from coming up in run support.
He finished the game with three tackles and two passes defensed.
Denver Broncos news and notes
- Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine started today’s game opposite Patrick Surtain II after Levi Wallace was ruled inactive.
- The Broncos defense held the Colts offense to 4-of-9 on third down in the first half, and finished the game 6-of-17 on third down.
- Offensive guard Quinn Meinerz left the game late in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and returned in the fourth quarter.
- Running back Jaleel McLaughlin left the game in the third quarter with a quad injury and did not return.
- Defensive tackle D.J. Jones left the game in the fourth quarter with a finger injury and did not return.
- Bo Nix finished Sunday’s game with three touchdown passes and three interceptions, while throwing 20-of-33 for 130 yards and 23 yards on the ground.
- OLB Dondrea Tillman finished the game with one sack, while OLB Nik Bonitto and DE John Franklin-Myers combined for a .5 sack.
- Patrick Surtain II snagged his fourth interception of the season in Sunday’s win and Brandon Jones snagged an interception in the first half.
The Denver Broncos will travel to Los Angeles to play the Chargers on Thursday Night Football in a short week turnaround.