In a stunning reversal, the Denver Broncos overcame a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the New York Giants 33-32, with Wil Lutz’s last-second field goal sealing one of the most improbable comebacks in NFL history, highlighted by Theo Johnson’s 41-yard touchdown catch off a tipped ball.
The matchup between the Giants and Broncos on October 19, 2025, initially appeared one-sided as New York controlled the game through three quarters. Jaxson Dart connected with Daniel Bellinger for a 44-yard touchdown and later found Cam Skattebo for a 13-yard score, helping the Giants build a 13-0 halftime lead. They extended it to 19-0 in the third quarter, while Denver’s offense struggled, amassing just 111 yards and facing multiple three-and-outs.
The fourth quarter began with the Broncos still scoreless, but they quickly turned the tide. Bo Nix engineered a scoring drive capped by his 7-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 19-8 after a successful two-point conversion. Then, after an interception by Justin Strnad, Nix found R.J. Harvey for a 2-yard touchdown on a pass that was deflected but caught, making it 19-15 and igniting the comeback.
New York responded with a drive that included the memorable play by Theo Johnson. On third-and-17 from the Denver 41, Dart’s pass intended for Wan’Dale Robinson was tipped at the line and caromed directly to Johnson, who caught it in stride and raced untouched for a 41-yard touchdown. Johnson, a rookie tight end, later called it “the craziest play I’ve ever seen,” as he wasn’t the primary target but capitalized on the deflection.
Despite Johnson’s score giving the Giants a 26-15 lead, Denver continued its surge. Nix scored on an 18-yard keeper to bring the Broncos within 26-22, and after a Giants punt, he led another drive that ended with his second rushing touchdown, putting Denver ahead 30-26 with under two minutes left. The Broncos’ offense, which had been dormant, suddenly became unstoppable, racking up 295 yards in the final quarter alone.
The Giants weren’t done, as Dart orchestrated a late drive aided by a pass interference penalty on Denver’s Riley Moss. That penalty, coupled with an unsportsmanlike conduct call on Broncos coach Sean Payton, set up Dart’s 1-yard touchdown run with 37 seconds left, giving New York a 32-30 lead after a missed extra point. However, the missed kick proved costly, as it left the door open for Denver.
On the ensuing kickoff, Tyler Badie returned it to the Denver 23, and with no timeouts, Nix quickly moved the ball, hitting Marvin Mims for 29 yards and Courtland Sutton for 22 to set up Lutz’s 39-yard field goal attempt. Despite a high snap, Lutz calmly drilled the kick as time expired, securing the 33-32 victory and capping a historic 33-point fourth quarter for the Broncos.
The comeback set several NFL records, including the most points by a team shut out for three quarters and snapping a long streak of wins by teams leading by 18 points late in games. Post-game, Payton expressed pride in his team’s resilience, while Daboll and the Giants were left to ponder a devastating loss. Both teams look to rebound next week, with New York visiting Philadelphia and Denver hosting Dallas.