East Rutherford, N.J.— Quarterback Bo Nix finally achieved a milestone in his NFL career, throwing his first touchdown pass during his fourth professional start, helping the Denver Broncos secure a narrow 10-9 victory over a struggling New York Jets team on a rainy Sunday.
Despite a lackluster first half, Nix and the Broncos managed to turn the tide, relying on a strong rushing game after halftime. “Weather games often lead to more running, and that’s what we focused on in the second half,” Nix remarked. “It worked to our advantage, and we avoided turnovers.”
In the first half, Nix struggled significantly, completing just 7 of 15 passes for a negative 7 yards. He finished the game with 60 yards, completing 12 of 25 attempts, while the Broncos’ ground game thrived, racking up 126 rushing yards and gaining momentum in the second half.
The turning point came when Nix connected with Courtland Sutton for an 8-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter, giving the Broncos a 7-6 lead. The play capped an impressive 87-yard drive, showcasing Nix’s ability to rise to the occasion when his team needed it most.
New York’s Aaron Rodgers, dealing with injuries, appeared to struggle throughout the game. After taking a hit late in the fourth quarter, he was briefly examined on the sidelines. “I’m banged up a little bit, but I’m OK,” Rodgers stated, noting that both of his legs were experiencing issues.
Despite the challenges, Rodgers returned to the field but couldn’t mount a comeback. With 2:31 left and facing a critical fourth-and-10, he was sacked by P.J. Locke, turning the ball over to the Broncos at their own 35-yard line.
Although the Broncos failed to extend their lead when Wil Lutz missed a 50-yard field goal, they managed to hold off the Jets one final time. New York advanced to the Broncos’ 32-yard line, but Greg Zuerlein’s attempt at a 50-yarder veered wide right, sealing the Broncos’ second consecutive road win.
“It was a gritty win,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said, praising his team’s resilience. “Neither team anticipated the weather’s impact on the game as much as it did in the first half.”
Staying on the East Coast during the week allowed the Broncos to prepare effectively for the Jets, and Nix emphasized the importance of winning back-to-back games against tough defenses.
Rodgers finished the game with 225 yards on 24 of 42 passing, but he faced significant pressure, getting sacked five times. The Jets also struggled with penalties, committing 13 infractions.
Reflecting on the performance, Rodgers acknowledged, “We were shooting ourselves in the foot. I didn’t play particularly well, missing some throws. The weather was tough, but some of my throws were, too.”
After Sutton’s touchdown, the Jets quickly regained the lead with Zuerlein’s 40-yard field goal, but the Broncos responded by marching down the field with seven consecutive runs, setting up Lutz for a 47-yarder to retake the lead at 10-9 with 8:55 remaining.
The first quarter was dismal offensively, with the Jets managing only 15 total yards and the Broncos just 6. New York finally broke the scoring drought early in the second quarter with Zuerlein’s 23-yard field goal.
In a concerning moment, Broncos running back Tyler Badie was carted off the field after suffering a back injury during a third-down play. He was immediately hit by Quincy Williams, resulting in a fumble that the Jets recovered. Head coach Payton had no updates on Badie’s condition after the game.
The Jets also faced setbacks due to penalties, including a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Allen Lazard, who was penalized for a celebratory gesture after a first-down catch.
In the end, the Broncos’ defense proved crucial, allowing them to secure a hard-fought victory in challenging conditions.
Up Next:
Broncos: Plays the AFC West-rival Las Vegas Raiders next Sunday at home.
Jets: Head to London to play Minnesota next Sunday morning at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
