Down by 19 points with 15 minutes left? Most teams fold. The Denver Broncos didn’t just fight back—they rewrote history. On Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, Bo Lamar Nix led the Broncos to the largest fourth-quarter comeback in NFL history, erasing a 32-13 deficit to beat the New York Giants 33-32 on a last-second field goal. It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. And it came from a team that was 2-5 just days before.
The Fourth Quarter That Broke the NFL
For three quarters, the Giants looked like they were cruising to a statement road win. Jaxson Dart threw three touchdowns, and Denver’s offense looked out of sync. But then, everything changed.
Nix, the 23-year-old quarterback who’d been labeled "clutch" by his coaches but dismissed by skeptics, turned into a maestro. He orchestrated five straight scoring drives in the final 15 minutes: four touchdowns, one two-point conversion, and a 48-yard drive in the final 1:12 to set up kicker Chase McLaughlin’s 42-yard game-winner. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 287 yards and four TDs—none more critical than the 12-yard strike to Courtland Sutton with 18 seconds left. The crowd went silent, then erupted. Fans in the stands hugged strangers. One man, wearing a 1998 John Elway jersey, screamed, "I thought I’d never see this again."
"I’ve been through a lot," Nix said postgame, voice hoarse. "This team never quit. Neither did I."
London’s Rainy Showdown: Stafford’s Masterpiece
While Denver was pulling off the impossible, halfway across the world in Wembley Stadium, Matthew Ryan Stafford was delivering a performance that may define his legacy. In driving rain and a damp, 58-degree chill, the Los Angeles Rams crushed the Jacksonville Jaguars 35-7. Stafford threw five touchdown passes—breaking the Rams’ franchise record—and did it without a turnover. His favorite target? Jordan Addison, who hauled in three scores. Running back Kyren Williams added 54 yards on the ground, but it was Stafford’s precision under pressure that stunned even his own sideline.
"He’s not just playing quarterback," said Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen. "He’s playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers."
Chiefs’ Defensive Masterclass and Rice’s Return
At Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t just beat the Las Vegas Raiders—they erased them. 31-0. A shutout. In the NFL, shutouts are rare. In a game featuring Patrick Lavon Mahomes II, they’re practically mythical.
Mahomes completed 26 of 35 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns. But the real story? The return of Rashee Rico Rice. Suspended for the first six games after a violation of team conduct policy, Rice came back with seven catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns. "He’s not just a receiver," said head coach Andrew Walter Reid. "He’s a heartbeat."
The Chiefs’ defense held the Raiders to 182 total yards and forced three turnovers. It was the first time Las Vegas had been held scoreless since 2021.
Colts Rise, Bears Surprise, Eagles Solidify
While Denver, Kansas City, and LA stole headlines, other teams quietly reshaped the playoff picture.
The Indianapolis Colts became the NFL’s only 6-1 team after crushing the Los Angeles Chargers 38-24 in Inglewood. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 94 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries, reminding everyone why he’s still the league’s most reliable workhorse. The Colts now lead the AFC South by two games.
In Chicago, Benjamin Johnson’s Chicago Bears stunned the New Orleans Saints 26-14 at Soldier Field. Despite quarterback Caleb Williams throwing for just 182 yards and one TD, the defense forced four turnovers—including a 68-yard interception return by safety Jaquan Brisker. The Bears, once projected to finish last in the NFC North, are now 4-2 and in playoff contention.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings 28-22 in Minneapolis, with Jalen Hurts connecting with Anthony Johnson Brown for two touchdowns. The win keeps Philly atop the NFC East.
What’s Next? Week 8 and the Playoff Race Tightens
Week 8 begins October 22, 2025, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Broncos (3-5) travel to face the Buffalo Bills, who are 6-1 and hungry to prove they’re the real AFC powerhouse. The Chiefs (6-2) host the Tennessee Titans in a potential playoff preview. And the Rams? They fly home to face the San Francisco 49ers—two of the NFC’s most dangerous teams.
But the real story isn’t just who won. It’s who’s rising. The Broncos, once written off, now have momentum. The Bears, once a punchline, are relevant. And the Colts? They’re not just a team—they’re a phenomenon.
"This isn’t luck," said NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah on Sunday night. "This is culture. When you have a quarterback who believes in his team, and a team that believes in their quarterback—that’s when history gets made."
Background: Comebacks That Shaped the NFL
The Broncos’ 19-point comeback isn’t just the biggest of 2025—it’s the largest in NFL history since the 2007 Patriots overcame a 21-point deficit against the Jets. The previous record for a fourth-quarter comeback was 28 points, set by the 2012 Buffalo Bills against the New England Patriots. Denver’s feat surpasses even that, because it was done against a Giants team that had won three of their last four and entered the game as 6-point favorites.
Historically, teams trailing by 19+ points in the fourth quarter win less than 0.3% of the time. Denver didn’t just beat the odds—they broke them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is a 19-point fourth-quarter comeback in NFL history?
Before the Broncos’ win on October 19, 2025, no team had ever overcome a 19-point deficit in the final quarter and won. The closest was the 2012 Bills, who erased a 28-point deficit—but that came over the entire second half. Since 1970, teams trailing by 19+ in the fourth quarter have won just 12 times total—less than 0.3% of such games. Denver’s win is the first in the modern era to do it in the final 15 minutes.
Why is Bo Nix’s performance considered a turning point for the Broncos?
Nix had been criticized for inconsistency and poor decision-making in close games. But his five consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter—without a single turnover—proved he can carry a team under pressure. This win isn’t just about points; it’s about belief. After this game, the Broncos went from a rebuilding team to one with a legitimate identity: resilient, aggressive, and led by a quarterback who refuses to quit.
How did Rashee Rice’s return impact the Chiefs’ offense?
Rice’s return gave Mahomes a reliable red-zone target who could win contested catches. In his six-game absence, the Chiefs’ offense averaged 24.5 points per game. In his return game, they scored 31—despite playing against a Raiders defense that had been top-10 in sacks. Rice’s two touchdowns came on crucial third downs, and his route-running opened space for Travis Kelce and JuJu Smith-Schuster. His presence alone forced defenses to adjust, making Mahomes’ job easier.
What does Matthew Stafford’s five-touchdown game mean for his legacy?
Stafford had been labeled "clutch but inconsistent" after years with Detroit. But his five-TD performance in London—on a wet field, against a Jaguars defense that had been top-10 in pass defense—marks him as one of the most efficient quarterbacks in clutch situations. He’s now thrown 18 game-winning drives since joining the Rams, tied for the most in the NFL since 2021. This game may be the one that finally silences critics who say he can’t win big in big moments.
Are the Chicago Bears a legitimate playoff contender now?
Yes—and it’s not just the record. The Bears’ defense forced 18 turnovers in their last four games, the most in the NFL over that span. Their offensive line, once a liability, has allowed just 10 sacks in the last five games. With Caleb Williams improving each week and rookie running back Jaylen Warren emerging, Chicago now has a balanced attack. They’re not just a surprise—they’re a threat. If they win their next two games against Arizona and Green Bay, they’ll be in the NFC Wild Card race for good.
What’s the significance of the Rams playing in London?
The Rams’ 35-7 win in London was their largest margin of victory in an overseas game since 2016. It also marked the first time a team has thrown five touchdowns in a game in London since 2018. More importantly, it showed the NFL that the Rams can still dominate on a global stage—even with a rainy field and a hostile crowd. With the league expanding international games, this performance could influence future scheduling, potentially making London a more regular stop for elite teams.
