The Denver Broncos opened the second quarter facing a third down. Bo Nix would have his third down pass deflected at the line to bring out yet another three-and-out punt for Denver.
Jaxson Dart opened up their next drive for the New York Giants with back-to-back completions for 17 and 13 yards to midfield. Another breakdown in coverage on a tight end resulted in a big play into the red zone as the Giants moves into position to extend their lead.
The Giants faced a third and inches and then a fourth and inches. They just barely got the first down at the Broncos’ 12. Jonathon Cooper then sacked Dart on first down, but Cam Skattlebo regained those yards and then some down to the Broncos eight yard line. After a false start, the Giants on third and 11, Dart hit Skattlebo on a screen for the touchdown pass.
The missed extra point kept them from going up by two full touchdowns.
Denver’s offense — down by two scores — finally woke up enough to pass midfield for the first time in the game with 8 minutes left in the first half. A few plays later after an ugly drop by Nate Adkins who was wide open for the first down, the Broncos went for it on fourth and three. The fourth down play was a designed quarterback run that got the first down.
The drive looked like it was about to stall, but Nix rolling out on third down found Courtland Sutton open down the field for a 32-yard gain to the Giants’ five yard line for a first and goal opportunity.
JK Dobbins picked up three yards on first down, then Nix had a wide open Garett Bolles — who was eligible — but the pass was tipped away. On third and goal form the two, Nix rolled out with no one open and threw it away. On fourth and goal, the Broncos went for it. Nix tossed it to Sutton outside who was immediately brought down at the line for no gain.
Another defensive penalty kept the Giants drive alive when they could have been punting from their own end zone instead. The Broncos just could not seem to get out of their own way. Very sloppy first down. Just embarrassing football play.