Broncos comeback vs. Giants: How Bo Nix led Denver to historic turnaround, 33 fourth-quarter points vs. New York

Daniel Mader

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Broncos comeback vs. Giants: How Bo Nix led Denver to historic turnaround, 33 fourth-quarter points vs. New York image

With 15 minutes remaining in Sunday's game, the Denver Broncos were all but ready to claim their third loss of the season. Jaxson Dart was dealing for the New York Giants, Denver was scoreless, and there was little time for Sean Payton's unit to get things going again.

That didn't stop Bo Nix and the Broncos one bit. They wound up pulling off one of the most historic comebacks in NFL history, scoring all 33 of their points in the fourth quarter to beat the Giants 33-32. In the final few minutes alone, Denver took the lead, lost it again, then re-claimed it on a game-winning field goal from kicker Wil Lutz.

Nix turned in a spectacular performance in the comeback victory, which improved Denver to 5-2 this season as it again contends in the AFC West. The Broncos ripped off five consecutive scoring drives in the final quarter after coming up empty on first eight drives of the game. And it all came on the day when the Broncos were celebrating the late Demaryius Thomas, their former star wide receiver who died in 2021 at age 33, as he was posthumously inducted into the team's Ring of Fame.

Here's a look at the Broncos' massive comeback to beat the Giants in Week 7.

MORE: What to know about Giants kicker who missed key extra point vs. Broncos

Broncos comeback vs. Giants

The Giants took a 19-0 lead into the final quarter of Sunday's matchup. All was going right for the squad; Dart had already thrown multiple touchdown passes, flashing stardom yet again after recent victories over the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles.

But momentum slowly began to shift in the home team's favor. New York claimed its 19-0 lead at the 2:41 mark of the third quarter, then failed to convert on a two-point attempt. Denver's rout was on from there.

First, Nix connected with Troy Franklin via a ricochetted pass for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Denver finally got on the board, adding a two-point conversion from Nix to Courtland Sutton.

Still, the Giants answered to then make it a 26-8 advantage. Another tipped pass resulted in a touchdown, as Wan'Dale Robinson lost the ball, but it fell right in Theo Johnson's arms before the tight end extended his team's lead.

Once again, the Broncos looked finished, facing a major deficit with around 10 minutes remaining.

The madness really began to unfold as time ticked down in the fourth quarter. Denver answered Johnson's touchdown with one of its own, completing a 13-play drive with a rushing score for Nix. 

The second-year passer then hit Franklin for another two-point conversion, making it a 26-16 Giants lead with around five minutes left.

Dart left the door open for Denver when he threw an ugly interception on the following possession. 

Nix took advantage of the turnover, taking just four plays to get the Broncos back in the end zone. It became a tight game once again with under four minutes left, as Nix connected with running back RJ Harvey for a two-yard touchdown. 

Denver pulled within three points with enough time to get the ball back.

New York proceeded to go three-and-out, giving the football back to Nix and the Broncos. With all momentum on their side, they steamrolled down the field yet again for their fourth-straight touchdown drive, including another rushing touchdown for Nix.

To the Giants' credit, they did respond — Dart took advantage of two flags on Denver, Roughing the Passer and Defensive Pass Interference. Those set New York up at the goal line, and Dart punched in the score.

But the Giants' kicker, Jude McAtamney, missed the extra point. That left the door open for the Broncos yet again.

Denver moved down the field quickly enough to get in field-goal range, and Lutz won it from 39 yards out. 

According to OptaStats, the Broncos became the first team in NFL history to score 33-plus points after being shut out through three quarters. Additionally, NFL teams had won 1,602 consecutive games when leading by at least 18 points with six minutes or less remaining in the fourth quarter, until the Giants lost their lead on Sunday.

MORE: How Drake Maye broke Tom Brady's Patriots efficiency record in win over Titans

Giants win probability vs. Broncos 

Carrying a 19-0 lead, 26-8 lead and a 32-30 lead in the fourth quarter, the Giants had their chances to close out Sunday's game. Statistically, they were immensely favored to claim their third win of the 2025 season.

Near the start of the final quarter, New York had a 99.8 percent chance to beat Denver. The Giants also had a 93.8 percent chance to win after scoring a touchdown late in the game to take the lead.

When the Broncos faced a 4th & 3 trailing 26-8 in the fourth quarter, they had a win probability of just 0.7 percent.

Bo Nix stats today

  • Completions/Attempts:  27/50
  • Completion Percentage:  54.0%
  • Passing Yards: 279
  • AVG:  5.6
  • Passing TDs:  2
  • Interceptions:  0
  • Rating:  83.7
  • Rushing Yards: 48
  • Rushing TDs:  2

Nix very well may have played the best game of his professional football career in Week 7, and most of his production came in one quarter. His two rushing scores were a new career-high, and his four total touchdowns matched a career-high.

In the fourth quarter alone, here were Nix's unreal numbers:

Postgame, Nix said he felt "bad for the people who left early" in Denver.

"It was really bad there for a point," Nix said. "Next thing you know, Wil Lutz is kicking a game-winner."

Biggest comebacks in NFL history

While the Broncos' comeback was miraculous in various ways, it didn't quite crack the top of the list for the largest comebacks in NFL history.

Denver's largest deficit was 19 points, when it was 19-0 Giants entering the fourth quarter. The largest comeback in NFL history was 33 points, which the Minnesota Vikings accomplished against the Indianapolis Colts in December 2022.

The Broncos' comeback in Week 7 was more notable for its fourth-quarter nature than the total score the squad came back from. Still, it was a remarkable turnaround in a short period of time.

Here are the five largest total comebacks ever in the NFL:

Total ComebackFinal ScoreWinning Team Date
33 pointsVikings 39, Colts 36 (OT)VikingsDec. 17, 2022
28 points49ers 38, Saints 35 (OT)49ersDec. 7, 1980
26 pointsBills 37, Colts 35BillsSept. 21, 1997
25 pointsBrowns 29, Titans 28BrownsOct. 5, 2014
25 pointsSt. Louis Cardinals 31, Buccaneers 28CardinalsNov. 8, 1987
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