Broncos-Giants Was the Ultimate Tribute to Demaryius Thomas

The game was full of the highest of highs, and lowest of lows. Boos and applause rained equally. Mourning and celebration marked the beginning and halftime. It was a day that will live forever in Denver Broncos lore, but not for the reasons any intended.

Repeated Patterns

The game kicked off and hopes were high. 88’s were in the line of sight of every fan. The sea-level dwelling Giants were a mile high in Broncos Country.

The infamous home field advantage was bolstered by the day’s deeper meaning. Rookie Jaxson Dart was in as tough a position as a first-year starter could be in. The stars had aligned for the perfect spot for Denver to get right after a horrible outing to the other New York team.

The Giants got the ball first, and Denver’s vaulted defense started strong, forcing two straight punts. Denver’s offense also couldn’t find footing, punting on two straight drives, including two dropped passes that led to an opening three-and-out. The Giants broke through on their third possession, as Dart connected with TE Daniel Bellinger for a 44-yard TD via broken coverage.

Denver responded with two more punts, not being able to make it past their own 40. New York would drive down the field and score again, this time via freshly established NYC-icon Cam Skattebo punching one in.

Denver got the ball back and finally showed life, moving to the Giants two-yard line before the drive stalled. Nix missed LT Bolles on a trick play, and a blown up screen pass resulted in a turnover on downs.

Fans grew tense. Boos started to trickle down as they watched what resembled the London catastrophe. Dropped passes, inaccuracy from Nix, and heavy screen usage produced nothing resembling competent, modern offense.

Denver would have the chance to put points on the board before end of half, but still, no dice. Another flag and a sack on Nix would close the half.

What started as a celebratory and triumphant day had been tainted by continued offense ineptitude.

Honoring 88

The sour taste in fans’ mouths would find temporary relief when the Super Bowl 50 team took the field. Architect John Elway and HC Gary Kubiak led the way, followed by the rest of the team.

DC Wade Phillips carried the Lombardi trophy, and Emmanuel Sanders wore Demaryius Thomas‘ ’88’ jersey. Pride and emotion swept the stands as owner Greg Penner unveiled Thomas’ Ring of Fame frame. Thomas’ mother wept as Broncos legends in orange jackets applauded.

Emmanuel Sanders would follow with an excellent speech that honored Thomas and his legacy. For how he told Peyton Manning ‘I dropped tears for my guy’, and how he was as incredible of a person as he was a player — this was much deserved.

The ceremony ended with Thomas’ name and number being revealed on the west stands, alongside other Ring of Famers and Manning. ‘The Sheriff’ would get emotional discussing the moment, emphasizing how close the two were and how much it meant to see Thomas’ name next to his.

The moment was incredibly special for Broncos fans and family. Thomas was a player who meant a lot to many people. He impacted everyone he touched, and his impact speaks for itself. The ceremony was the culmination of the ’88’ patch on the field and delay-of-game tributes directly following the loss. To have the Super Bowl 50 team and Thomas’ former teammates join added an extra level of meaning.

The tragedy of life lost at a young age was honored in an extremely respectful and fitting way. Thomas is now immortal in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame, but like the delay-of-game four years ago, the X-position will always remain empty.

A Speck of Hope

The mood shifted back to the reality of the game as the second half began.

The Broncos’ offense continued to flail. The third quarter resembled the first two, as the Denver offense would compile two more punts (eight total) and a turnover on downs midway into the third. Punter Jeremy Crawshaw was living up to his contract.

Entering the fourth, with zero points on the board, Week 7 looked to be one of the most embarrassing losses in Denver Broncos history.  Bo Nix looked completely lost, and rookie Jaxson Dart had two touchdowns and looked like the more experienced QB. The product on the field was not one worthy for DT’s ‘Ring of Fame’ day.

Denver would score a touchdown to open the fourth on an incredibly lucky tipped pass to Troy Franklin to officially avoid the shutout. A two-point conversion made it 19-8, but the damage had seemingly been done.

The lead wasn’t enormous, but Denver’s play made it seem insurmountable. A 41-yard TD pass that found its way into TE Theo Johnson‘s hands was salt in the wound, and gave NY a 26-8 lead with 10 minutes left in the fourth.

It was just not Denver’s day. Fans were heading for the parking lot and avoid traffic, and Denver’s win probability was at 0.7%.

But then, Denver scored again. And converted another two-point conversion. 26-16.

Still a two-score game but five minutes left on the clock, it’s a miracle they had a chance at all. And the miracles kept coming. The Giants inexplicably opted to pass the ball, and Justin Strnad intercepted Jaxon Dart on NY’s side of the field. Stands shook and belief began to set in. Denver scored again via Nix to R.J. Harvey. 26-23.

The Second Mile High Miracle

The Denver Broncos had avoided total embarrassment, and had put together one of the more remarkable fourth quarters in recent memory. Denver’s defense bottled up Skattebo and forced another three and out.

Nix and offense trotted back onto the field, and faced a quick 3rd-and-11. With the game on the line, and having missed deep all game, Nix hit Marvin Mims for 31 yards to get Denver into field goal range. A screen (believe it or not) to Evan Engram got Denver in the Red Zone, and Nix rushed in from 18 yards to give Denver the first lead of the game. Empower Field erupted as history was being played out before them.

Denver wasn’t done beating themselves, though. Dart completed a prayer of a pass on 4th-and-19, and a roughing the passer penalty gave the Giants a first down in Denver territory. Dart then targeted Beaux Collins downfield, and Riley Moss was called for pass interference. In a matter of seconds, Denver had thrown the game away. A comeback snuffed out just after it had started. Dart rushed up the middle and scored the go-ahead TD. New York was going to go up three and force Denver into overtime, at best.

As that reality was setting into fans minds, backup kicker Jude McAtamney missed the extra-point. Bo Nix walked onto the field with 0:33 seconds left, and the game in his hands.

Then the Broncos put together a perfect finishing drive: completion to Mims for 29 yards; spike and neutral zone infraction on Brian Burns; complete to Courtland Sutton for 22 yards; spike’ Will Lutz 39 yard field-goal.

Denver victory, 33-32.

A Bittersweet Day

There are many stats and facts that do a good job of framing the absolute insanity and improbability of Denver’s comeback win, like a 0.7% win percentage at one point, or that Denver’s 33 points in the fourth quarter tie for the most by any team of the last 15 years.

Bo Nix being the first player in NFL history to rush for 2+ TDs, and pass for 2+ TDs in one quarter. And, most incredibly: Demaryius Thomas died at 33 years old, and Denver won with 33 points, all in the fourth. You can’t write it any better than that.

The day was full of joy and mourning, satisfaction and frustration. On one hand, it is quite something to achieve one of the most incredible comebacks in NFL history, and that should be celebrated. On the other hand, it is not rewarding to be in that position in the first place.

Denver’s biggest enemy continues to be themselves. Penalties plague their games, more than any other team. Finding offensive rhythm is like trying to build a sand castle while its windy. Bo Nix has been incredible in the fourth quarter, and abysmal elsewhere. For as amazing as the comeback was, this team (and QB) still have yet to play complete game.

This form of success is not sustainable. The Broncos need to find answers. The AFC is still wide open, and the best version of Denver is one that can represents the conference in February.

In a perfect world, the Broncos harness the 2013 version of themselves and cruise to 5-2 on the day Demaryius Thomas enters the Ring of Fame. We don’t live in a perfect world, though, and the 2025 Broncos aren’t a perfect team. It would have been nice to glide to victory in front of the largest group of former Broncos ever in attendance a home game.

But, if not that, engineering the greatest comeback in franchise history will have to do.