A late flag turned a Rams takeaway into a Broncos lifeline on Sunday night, and the call helped flip the entire feel of a game that had already gone off the rails in the second half.
Denver had clawed back from a 16-point hole against Los Angeles, and after the teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter - including a pick-six of Matthew Stafford - the Broncos were suddenly in position to either tie the game or take the lead. Then Josh Wallace appeared to slam the door with what looked like his second interception of Bo Nix.
It didn’t stick.
Officials flagged Wallace for defensive pass interference on a play that immediately drew heat from the Rams sideline and plenty of debate everywhere else. NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay saw it as nothing more than hand-fighting between Wallace and Broncos receiver Pat Bryant, while some fans argued Bryant was the one who got into Wallace. Replay showed Wallace seemed to secure what would have been a clean interception, but instead Denver kept the ball and got a fresh set of downs at the 7-yard line.
Even without the interception, a breakup there likely would have sent the Broncos to a field goal attempt.
The sequence brought back memories of the infamous non-call on Nickell Robey-Coleman during the 2018 NFC championship game, with Sean Payton and Sean McVay once again connected to a controversial moment. This time, Payton came out on the right side of it.
Denver finished the drive with a touchdown after an illegal use of hands penalty against the Rams helped keep the momentum moving, and the Broncos hung on for a 30-26 win. The victory pushed Denver over .500 for the first time this season.
In Other News...
Broncos Fans Loved This Rare Aaron Donald Moment On SNF
Aaron Donalds comeback with the Rams has already made for plenty of talking points, but one snap against the Broncos stood out for a different reason. On a key play, Denver right guard Quinn Meinerz held up Donald long enough for Bo Nix to hit Jaylen Waddle for a first down, a rare result against one of the most disruptive defenders of his era.
For Broncos fans, it was the kind of small win that can light up social media in a hurry, especially with Donald still flashing the form that made him such a force before his retirement. The clip spread fast online because it felt notable on its own, and because any play that keeps Donald from wrecking the pocket tends to draw a reaction. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Defense Put Matthew Stafford On An Unwanted NFL List
Matthew Stafford spent another late-game sequence under the kind of pressure Denver has tried to manufacture all season, and this one ended with the Broncos turning defense into points. Linebacker Talanoa Hufanga stepped in front of a throw and took it back for a pick-six, flipping the game in Denvers favor at a critical moment and putting the Broncos defense at the center of the finish.
Staffords miscue also carried a place in NFL history, though not the kind any quarterback wants attached to his name. The interception return touchdown was the 33rd pick-six of Staffords career, moving him past Brett Favre for the all-time lead on that list and adding an unwanted entry to a resume already full of big-game volume. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Just Got Caught In A Growing Bo Nix Problem
Bo Nixs season has already settled into a familiar pattern for Denver: uneven starts, then a better rhythm after halftime. The Broncos have not blinked through it, either. Offensive play-caller Davis Webb has stayed patient with the rookie quarterback, keeping the focus on growth rather than short-term turbulence as Denver moves on from last years AFC championship loss and tries to build on its 2-1 start.
Against that backdrop, Nixs latest outing looked a lot like the one before it, with flashes of what Denver wants and enough early inconsistency to keep the questions alive. He finished 17 of 34 for 186 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, a line that captures both the promise and the frustrating unevenness. For the Broncos, the issue is no longer whether Nix can settle in. It is how long they can afford to keep waiting for the first half to catch up with the second. [Read more 🡒]