DENVER — In a stunning turn of events at Empower Field at Mile High, Brian Daboll’s New York Giants fell to the Denver Broncos in a dramatic 33-32 defeat on Sunday afternoon. The Giants dominated for most of the game but succumbed to an unforgettable comeback by Denver.
With just 37 seconds left on the clock, Jaxson Dart powered through for a 1-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Giants ahead 32-30. However, kicker Jude McAtamney’s missed extra point left the Broncos with a chance to turn the tide.
Capitalizing on the opportunity, the Broncos quickly marched 56 yards down the field, setting up Will Lutz for a decisive 39-yard field goal as time expired. All 33 of Denver’s points were scored in a remarkable fourth-quarter rally.
The momentum shift coincided with the exit of starting corner Paulson Adebo, who was replaced by Deonte Banks, potentially influencing the game’s outcome.
This loss marked the eighth-largest lead blown in Giants’ history, the most significant since a 21-point lead evaporated in 2014.
In a heated moment, Daboll was seen expressing his frustration to defensive coordinator Shane Bowen on the sideline as Courtland Sutton made a critical 22-yard catch, setting up the Broncos’ game-winning score. The fiery exchange between Daboll and Bowen continued as they headed to the locker room post-defeat.
The Giants led, 13-0, at halftime, 19-0 with 2:41 remaining in the third quarter and 26-8 with 10:14 to play in the game. Dart threw three touchdown passes. Then he seemingly drove the Giants downfield for the winning score late in the fourth.
The drive included a 4th and 19 conversion to Wan’Dale Robinson and a 38-yard pass interference penalty on Broncos corner Riley Moss on a throw intended for Beaux Collins.
But Dart’s interception to Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad with 4:47 remaining and the Giants up, 26-16, also aided Denver’s stunning comeback.
NFL teams had won 1602 consecutive games when leading by 18 points in the final six minutes of a game
The Giants (2-5) fly home to prepare for a second game against the rival Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) in a three-week span. This one will be in South Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field next Sunday.
Daboll’s team just beat the Eagles, 34-17, at MetLife Stadium in Week 6. But now their prospects are bleak in last place in the NFC East behind the Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys (3-3-1) and the Washington Commanders (3-4).
They would have a chance to compete in any game if their defense plays the way it did through the first three quarters Sunday against Denver.
Safety Dane Belton made a huge hit on Sutton for a fourth-down stop and a goal-line stand with 3:35 remaining in the second quarter to keep the Giants ahead, 13-0, heading into halftime.
The Broncos’ offense was a mess, but Brian Burns’ second sack of the game sent the Broncos trudging off the field at halftime, showered by boos. The Giants’ defense had only allowed 101 yards and six Broncos first downs in the half.
The Giants earned their 19-0 lead on a 44-yard Dart touchdown pass to Johnson on a coverage bust with 6:54 to play in the first quarter. Then Dart hit Cam Skattebo with a 13-yard screen pass for a touchdown with 8:46 remaining in the half.
And Tyrone Tracy Jr. piled on with a 31-yard rushing touchdown on another Broncos defensive miscue for a 19-0 lead with 2:41 to play in the third.
The Giants should have led, 21-0, after those three scores. But kicker Jude McAtamney missed the extra point on Skattebo’s touchdown, and Dart’s two-point try to Robinson was tackled short of the goal line after Tracy’s score.
They got two Brian Burns sacks on defense. And they also scored when Robinson dropped a Dart pass on 3rd and 17, but the ball popped right into Theo Johnson’s hands. And the tight end raced to the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown and a 26-8 lead with 10:14 to play.
But the Giants under Daboll always find a lose if it still exists. Just look at Week 2 in Dallas. As impossible as a defeat seemed for most of Sunday, Payton’s team was ready to play in the fourth quarter.
And the Giants were not.
