Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) passes the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Watch: Jameis Winston pick-six gives Broncos breathing room on 'MNF'

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Dec 2, 2024 10:02 PM ET

The Broncos gained breathing room against the Browns with a game-changing pick-six on "Monday Night Football."

Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto intercepted the pass Jameis Winston pass and returned it 71 yards for a touchdown to give Denver a 21-10 lead.

Cleveland drove to Denver's 29-yard line, gaining 41 yards in six plays before Winston's interception.

The teams traded scores in a back-and-forth start before the Bonitto gave the Broncos (7-5) the first two-possession lead by either side.

Bonitto, a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, jumped tight end Jordan Akins' route and ran untouched for his first career touchdown.

THAT JUST HAPPENED.#ProBowlVote » https://t.co/Of0OjCw1PX pic.twitter.com/fVrh5BuLgo
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 3, 2024

The third-year pro is having a career year, entering Monday night tied for the league's third-most sacks (10).

Winston rebounded from his miscue by driving the Browns (3-8) down the field for a touchdown before halftime to cut Denver's lead to four, 21-17.

Overall, Winston played well in the first half, going 18-of-31 for 245 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

The Browns threw the ball on 71.1 percent of their first-half plays, and that overwhelming pass-heavy script could give Denver more opportunities to intercept Winston, who infamously threw 30 interceptions in 2019, his last full season as a starting quarterback.

Entering Monday night, Winston had four 2024 starts and was 101-of-160 (63.1 percent) for 1,183 yards (7.4 yards per attempt), six touchdowns and four interceptions.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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