Broncos head coach Sean Payton called a timeout for the 2-point attempt, as defensive coordinator Vance Joseph switched to a pressure look, which eventually freed up Bonitto at QB.
“It’s kind of one of those Kodak situations where you just want to get a picture to see if they’re going to come back and give you the same look,” he said. “It was zero pressure. So Nik is the loose runner and the irony is that the ball hit his bat hand, but it was a good play by him.”
Mariota, who had been sloppy all night, had McNichols wide open if he could have gotten the ball over Bonitto.
“DC, Vance [Joseph]was doing a good job of mixing zero and showing zero [blitzes] and stop,” Mariota said. “And then on the 2-pointer he came up with the zero — I knew I had to try to get deep and give our guy a chance. He played on it and that’s how it goes.”
The Swat preserved the Broncos’ nine-game winning streak and moved them into a tie with the Patriots atop the AFC playoff standings ahead of New England’s Monday night tilt with the New York Giants. It marks Denver’s longest hitting streak in a single season since Weeks 6-17, 2012 (11 straight), and is tied for fourth-longest in Broncos history.
It’s not always pretty for the Broncos, who have won their last four games by a combined 10 points. On Sunday, the attack faltered at times and the defense did not get off the field late. But they continue to find ways to win games when the pressure is on.
“I was told a long time ago by one of my many offensive coaches that pressure is a privilege and not many people get to enjoy it,” quarterback Bo Nix said. “So if it’s going to be me that gets this opportunity, I’m going to make the best of it. It doesn’t always go your way. Fortunately, it’s gone our way in these games. Last year we were on the opposite end of those close ones, so I understand what it’s like to be on the other side of things. But you’ve just got to keep going keep going keep going. way.”
Sunday night they found a way with one big blow.