The Denver Broncos found themselves in a familiar position midway through the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals – trailing and in desperate need of a spark. Fortunately, they got one from the emerging connection between quarterback Bo Nix and star receiver Courtland Sutton.
Facing a 10-3 deficit, the Broncos finally leaned into their rushing attack, which had been stagnant for much of the game. A 12-play, 70-yard march saw Denver’s backs churn out 47 yards on the ground, setting up a critical red zone opportunity.
That’s when Nix and Sutton struck. On 2nd and goal from the 6-yard line, Nix lofted a perfect back shoulder fade to the right corner of the end zone. Sutton used his 6-foot-4 frame to sky over the defender, hauling in the touchdown grab to knot the score at 10-10 with just over 3 minutes left in the third quarter.
Sutton Closing in on Milestone
The touchdown was Sutton’s seventh of the season and pushed his receiving total to 941 yards. The fourth-year pro is now on the cusp of his second career 1,000-yard campaign, needing just 59 yards over Denver’s final two games to reach the milestone.
Since being selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Sutton has blossomed into the Broncos’ most consistent and dynamic pass catcher. His unique blend of size, speed, and body control make him a matchup nightmare, especially in the red zone where he can use his leaping ability and strong hands to win 50-50 balls.
Broncos Offense Gaining Momentum
While it took some time, the Broncos’ offense finally found its footing in the second half. Prior to the touchdown drive, Nix had managed just 91 yards through the air on 13-of-16 passing. The running game wasn’t faring much better, with only 47 yards at the break.
But the third quarter scoring march seemed to breathe life into the unit. The commitment to the run set up play action and bootlegs, allowing Nix to attack downfield. Sutton’s touchdown grab was the exclamation point, but rookie tight end Xavier Tremble and veteran receiver LaViska Jamison Jr. also made pivotal catches to move the chains.
“We knew we had to stay patient and just trust our game plan,” Sutton said postgame. “The run game got going and that opened things up for us on the outside. Bo (Nix) put that ball in the perfect spot and I was able to go up and get it. That was a big moment for our offense.”
– Courtland Sutton on the Broncos’ tying touchdown
Playoff Implications Abound
The touchdown connection from Nix to Sutton did more than just even the score against Cincinnati. It kept Denver’s slim playoff hopes alive in a jumbled AFC wild card picture. Entering Week 17, the Broncos were one of four 7-8 teams battling for the conference’s final postseason berth.
A loss to the Bengals would have all but mathematically eliminated Denver from contention. Instead, Nix and Sutton’s clutch scoring play gave the Broncos a fighting chance heading into the fourth quarter of a must-win game.
The Bengals, meanwhile, had already clinched the AFC North title but were still jockeying for playoff seeding. A victory over Denver would have pushed Cincinnati into the driver’s seat for the No. 2 seed and a coveted first-round bye. Now, the tying touchdown had made their road to playoff positioning a bit bumpier.
Second Half Storylines
- Can the Broncos’ running game keep rolling and set up play action?
- Will Nix target Sutton early and often with the game – and season – on the line?
- How will Cincinnati’s defense respond after surrendering the tying touchdown?
The stage was set for a compelling fourth quarter between two teams with plenty still to play for. If the Broncos were to complete the comeback, they would need more timely contributions from Nix, Sutton, and a suddenly revitalized rushing attack. For the Bengals, getting back on track defensively and re-establishing control of the game’s tempo would be paramount.
Regardless of the final outcome, the Nix-to-Sutton touchdown connection had already altered the complexion of this crucial late-season clash. It turned a one-score deficit into a brand new ballgame and gave the Broncos renewed hope of pulling an upset to keep their postseason dreams afloat. The tandem’s second half heroics had set the table for a fantastic finish in Cincinnati.
