Broncos Rack Up Nine Sacks to Edge Winless Jets 13-11 in Sloppy London Matchup

photo credits/Getty Images

By TSMO

LONDON — Bo Nix threw an early touchdown pass, Wil Lutz kicked a decisive late field goal, and the Denver Broncos’ defense overwhelmed the New York Jets with nine sacks to secure an ugly 13–11 victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

With the win, the Broncos (4–2) extended their winning streak to three games, though the performance was far from smooth. Denver found itself trailing 11–10 in the third quarter after conceding a safety, despite the Jets managing just 82 total yards of offense.

Nix completed 19 of 30 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown, leading a crucial 12-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Lutz’s 27-yard field goal to give Denver the lead with just over five minutes remaining.

The Jets (0–6), still seeking their first win under head coach Aaron Glenn, had one final opportunity to rally. However, quarterback Justin Fields was sacked by Jonathon Cooper and Justin Strnad on fourth-and-eight from the Denver 44-yard line, ending New York’s hopes of a comeback. Glenn elected to go for it on the play rather than attempt a long field goal, despite kicker Nick Folk having made all three of his previous attempts.

Fields endured one of the worst games of his professional career, completing just nine of 17 passes for 45 yards. The Jets finished with minus-10 net passing yards — the lowest total in franchise history and the fewest by any NFL team since the San Diego Chargers recorded minus-19 against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1998.

“Our passing game was non-existent,” Glenn said after the game.

The Jets’ disastrous start to the season continues, making Glenn the first coach in team history to lose his first six games. This marks just the third time New York has opened 0–6, joining the 2020 and 1996 seasons.

Denver, meanwhile, built early momentum after last week’s comeback win over previously undefeated Philadelphia. The Broncos took a 10–6 lead in the first quarter when Nix faked a pass to the flat and connected with tight end Nate Adkins for a 16-yard touchdown. The drive stayed alive after Nix converted a fourth-and-five with an 11-yard completion to Evan Engram.

Sack Attack

The Broncos’ defensive front dominated from start to finish, adding to their league-leading sack total. Cooper recorded two sacks, Strnad added 1.5, and Nik Bonitto — the NFL’s sack leader — tallied one more to reach eight for the season.

The Jets, in contrast, produced just one sack on the day and have managed only four over their last five games.

Strange Moments in London

The Jets briefly took an improbable 11–10 lead in the third quarter after Austin McNamara’s punt pinned Denver at its own three-yard line. On the next play, guard Quinn Meinerz was flagged for holding in the end zone, resulting in a safety.

New York also ended the first half in chaotic fashion. With the ball at their own 47-yard line and roughly 30 seconds remaining, the Jets let the clock expire on fourth-and-one after mismanaging their timeouts. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson appeared visibly frustrated as he exchanged words with Glenn while walking to the locker room.

By halftime, the Jets had recorded just 32 total yards of offense — the fewest by any team in a first half this season.

Injuries

For Denver, linebacker Garret Wallow was ruled out early in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury.

For New York, head coach Aaron Glenn said Garrett Wilson played through a hip issue. Linebacker Cam Jones and cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers also left the game with hip injuries. Edge rusher Will McDonald IV exited in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion but later returned.

Despite the sloppy performance, Denver’s defense once again proved to be the difference. As the Broncos continue to climb the AFC standings, their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks may be their most reliable path to sustained success this season.