The Denver Broncos came to play today.
Visiting one of the best teams in the NFL, the Houston Texans, the Broncos started the game by jumping out to a 14-0 lead.
First, it was the offense, with rookies Drew Lock and Noah Fant lighting up Houston’s defense in the passing game. Lock hit Fant for a 46-yard gain down the right sideline and then connected with the tight end in the end zone for the 7-0 advantage.
But then, the biggest play of the year occurred for Denver’s defense.
Alexander Johnson hit Keke Couteee and stripped the ball, which was picked up by Jeremiah Attaochu and then Attaochu handed the ball off to the former Texan Kareem Jackson, who ran 67 yards to the house.
#Texans fumble…. #Broncos LB Jeremiah Attaochu picks up the ball, hands it to Kareem Jackson, who returns it for a 68-yard TD.
Jackson is back in Houston after spending his first 9 seasons there.
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/f9VE2Zx7CN
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 8, 2019
Simply incredible play, which resembled more backyard football with the, “Hey, give me the ball!” Those plays could result in disaster, but the risk was worth the reward. It was the most incredible play of the year for the Broncos defense.
It was the sixth turnover forced over the last four weeks by Denver’s D; they’re hot at the moment. It was also the first defensive touchdown scored by the Broncos all year.
For Johnson — a supreme surprise — it was his second forced fumble of the season to add onto his interception of Philip Rivers in the end zone and the many phenomenal plays he’s made this year. Jackson, the safety, used the touchdown as a launching off point as he smacked DeAndre Hopkins with a furious hit to force another punt. Jackson also laid a shoulder into Carlos Hyde, the big running back, in the second quarter.
As for Attaochu, who is likely the most unknown of all these players, he also enjoyed a sack later in the game. When Bradley Chubb was put on the Injured Reserve, Denver activated Attaochu, who enjoyed a career game on Sunday in Houston.
At halftime, Denver leads 31-3 over Houston.