No matter the situation, no matter the opponent, the Denver Broncos know they can always fall back on the No Fly Zone.
Once again, with the offense struggling (they punted the ball 11 times), it was Denver’s secondary that stepped up in a big way.
With the Jacksonville Jaguars driving into Denver territory midway through the second quarter, Chris Harris‘ red zone interception halted any hopes Jacksonville had of cutting into Denver’s four-point lead.
#ProBowlVote @ChrisHarrisJr https://t.co/8kOfGFosKY
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 4, 2016
Chris Harris…what concentration
— trey wingo (@wingoz) December 4, 2016
CHJR
Best corner in da league!
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) December 4, 2016
My boy have no vision but NO FLY @ChrisHarrisJr
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) December 4, 2016
@ChrisHarrisJr w INT.. Great concentration of tipped pass. Harris was pumping up crowd in warmups. Gave them reason to roar #DENvsJAX
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) December 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/805487507412488192
What a freaking play by Chris Harris?!?
— Michael Jaycox (@MilkyMike) December 4, 2016
Coming out of halftime, the Broncos were hanging onto a 10-3 lead, looking to put some more separation between themselves and the Jaguars. With a three-and-out on their first possession of the half, it looked like it might be on the defense to make a much-needed play.
Bradley Roby agreed.
.@Millerlite40 got to Bortles.@BradRoby_1 got the points.#Horsepower #ProBowlVote https://t.co/GbklxBqLYw
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/JoshPennock/status/805500361775710208
51-yd INT-TD by @BradRoby_1 was the Broncos' third "pick six" this year, tying for the most in the NFL.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) December 4, 2016
Roby Pick six..Bortles is the blueprint for QB who struggles vs this D.. #Broncos 10th score in two seasons. They are undefeated when get TD
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) December 4, 2016
NO FLY
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) December 4, 2016
ROBY PICK SIX!!! BAM!!!
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) December 4, 2016
While the Jaguars would make the game somewhat interesting down the stretch with a Bortles’ touchdown scramble to bring the score within seven, Jacksonville would never get closer than that.
Another Bortles’ turnover, a fumble in Jacksonville territory, would seal the deal with under two minutes remaining.
Most teams in the NFL wouldn’t win a game in which their offense went 1-13 on third down conversions or was out-gained by their opponents by over 100 yards, but most teams don’t have the No Fly Zone. Week after week, the Broncos secondary makes game-changing plays, and while it hasn’t always been enough to overcome the offense’s ineptitudes, it has been enough to get the team to 8-4 on the season.