The Denver Broncos pulled off a thrilling 27-24 overtime win to snap the New York Jets’ undefeated 8-0 start to the season. In a game packed with wild momentum swings, the Jets simply had no answer for the deadly Griese-to-McCaffrey connection.
McCaffrey Torches Jets Secondary
Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey had a game for the ages, hauling in 10 catches for 212 yards and 3 touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. He accounted for over half of quarterback Brian Griese‘s 366 passing yards. Griese was sharp all game, finishing 18-of-29 for 366 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT while enduring four sacks.
Curtis Martin Shines in Defeat
Despite the loss, Jets running back Curtis Martin delivered a masterclass performance, rushing 31 times for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns. Martin consistently battered the Broncos defense, especially in the red zone, but the Jets’ passing attack couldn’t keep up.
Back-and-Forth Battle
The Jets opened strong with a dominant ground drive, capped by a Martin touchdown.
Denver responded with a field goal and later took a 10-7 lead on a McCaffrey TD catch.
Martin punched in another short TD before halftime to give the Jets a 14-10 advantage.
The second half was defined by explosive plays. McCaffrey’s second TD reclaimed the lead, but a late 38-yard field goal by John Hall knotted it up at 17. In the final two minutes, Griese went into hurry-up mode, finding McCaffrey repeatedly before hitting him for a 17-yard TD, putting Denver up 24-17 with just 51 seconds left.
Somehow, the Jets stormed back in seconds. Vinny Testaverde connected with Dedric Ward and Wayne Chrebet on deep throws before Martin bulldozed in his third score to force overtime.
Overtime Heroics
Denver won the toss and never gave the Jets the ball back. Griese led the Broncos downfield, including another 26-yard dart to McCaffrey, to set up Jason Elam for the walk-off field goal.
Defensive Highlights
- Broncos safety George Coghill intercepted Testaverde in the second quarter, shifting momentum.
- Jets FS Omar Stoutmire intercepted Griese in the red zone, preventing a score.
- Eric Ogbogu had 1 sack and 3 QB hurries for the Jets, causing consistent pressure.
- C. Hayes and S. Ellis each recorded a sack for the Jets, totaling 4 team sacks.
Key Stats
- Broncos QB Brian Griese: 18/29, 366 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT
- Broncos WR Ed McCaffrey: 10 rec, 212 yds, 3 TDs
- Jets RB Curtis Martin: 31 rushes, 189 yds, 3 TDs
- Jets QB Vinny Testaverde: 6/16, 132 yds, 0 TDs, 1 INT
Team Stats
- Total Yards: DEN 449, NYJ 432
- Turnovers: 1 each
- Red Zone Efficiency: DEN 5 trips, 3 TDs, 2 FGs | NYJ 3 trips, 3 TDs
- 3rd Down Conversion: DEN 3/5 (60%), NYJ 3/9 (33%)
Record Watch
The Jets drop to 8-1, suffering their first loss of the season. The Broncos, fighting to keep playoff hopes alive, climb to 4-5.
Player of the Game
Ed McCaffrey, DEN – 10 catches, 212 yards, 3 TDs
Don’t you all SEE what’s happening here? This Broncos-Jets game was a MASTERCLASS in NFL SCRIPTING for RATINGS! Ed McCaffrey with a game of a LIFETIME just in time to hand the “invincible” Jets their first loss? Wake up, people! 🚨 Here’s a FACT: the officiating crew here is the SAME one that called that shady Giants interception in the ‘90 playoffs! CONNECT. THE. DOTS. 🤔
And can we TALK about that “convenient” Elam FG setup? 26-yard dart to McCaffrey, like clockwork. Seems too good to be TRUE, doesn’t it? [Elam FG] 🤯 Meanwhile, we’ve got Jets’ receivers practically invisible until suddenly DEDRIC WARD shows up, like flipping a SWITCH. Might as well have had Vince McMahon himself come out and declare “overtime drama!”
And to think the Broncos suddenly find playoff HOPES? Just WAIT till the end of the SEASON and see how many storylines PAY off. I’m not saying the NFL is SCRIPTED, but WAKE UP SHEEPLE, the writing’s on the WALL!
LMAO, bro, this is some next-level conspiracy theory stuff. So you’re saying the NFL’s got a whole “scriptwriters room” just to get Elam setups? 🤣 Like, maybe they should hires those scriptwriters for the next Star Wars movie then, ’cause that drama was UNREAL.
And come on, blaming the refs here is a CLASSIC “my team’s losing, let’s blame someone else” move. We’ve all been there after getting Madden cheesed, right? But hey, you do you. Also, respect the Curtis Martin grind; dude put in WORK 😤. But yeah, let’s see how the Bronco “storyline” turns out—NFL’s been on some wild HBO Original vibes all season. #NFLOriginals
Let’s get real here, folks. Sure, Griese and McCaffrey lit up the scoreboard, but let’s not forget that every route they ran was set up by solid pocket protection and precise route timing. That’s some textbook execution right there. And can we talk about the Broncos’ red zone efficiency? 3 TDs in 5 trips—clinical. On the flip side, the Jets’ defense got outschemed. Simple as that. You can’t bring a lackluster pass rush against a QB like Griese and not expect him to pick you apart. Four sacks don’t matter if you can’t seal the edges and cover the seams. That secondary got exposed, especially on those crucial third downs. And speaking of classic matchups, Martin’s ground game was a masterclass in hitting the gaps with authority. But again, it’s a team sport. You can’t just rely on one guy to carry the load, especially when the aerial attack is sputtering. Testaverde’s completion rate screams signs of ineffective read progressions, and it’s like the Jets forgot to install audibles for blitz pickup. It’s like watching a clash between technical prowess and raw execution—it ain’t always pretty, but that’s football, my friends.
What a game! We showed those overrated Jets their first L of the season! Ed McCaffrey was absolutely on fire—10 catches for 212 yards and 3 TDs, that man was unstoppable! And Brian Griese? Just delivering dime after dime under pressure. I’d bet my vintage Elway jersey that the refs were trying to help the Jets (as usual), but it didn’t matter in the end! Curtis Martin was good, sure, but our defense made the big plays when it counted—the INT by George Coghill was clutch! We’re keeping those playoff hopes alive, baby! Talk all you want about the rest of the season, folks, but don’t sleep on us. Let’s ride, Broncos Country! #MileHighMagic
Let me gather my thoughts and say this clearly for the folks in green:
CURTIS. FREAKING. MARTIN.
You see that? He runs for 189 yards, plants three TDs on the board, and practically puts the team on his back all the way to Denver. The man was running through that Broncos defense like it was made of tissue paper. Then we get to the air game, where our boy Vinny Testaverde once again gives us every reason to invest in stress balls. 6 completions? 132 measly yards? And don’t even get me started on that interception—it’s like he’s developing a trend.
It’s a miracle we made it to overtime, thanks to Martin and the galaxy-brained idea of the Broncos defense to let him score. But let me tell you, as much as it hurts losing that perfect record, it’s hard not to love how determined Curtis is week in and week out. Next time, maybe we’ll Petition the Football Gods for Vinny to borrow some of Curtis’s focus as well.
Meanwhile, hold onto that Elway jersey, Broncos buddy. We’re coming for you next time, and it might not be as pretty.
Forever hopeful yet eternally exasperated,
A Jet Fan Who Knows the Struggle All Too Well