Broncos rookies create ‘defining moment’ with game-winner vs. Saints

There it was, the game, quickly slipping away from the Denver Broncos as the New Orleans Saints lined up to break a 23-23 tie with an extra point off the foot of kicker Wil Lutz.

Six plays earlier, Drew Brees readied to carve out another career-defining — Hall of Fame-defining — drive to win the game.

After giving up two early picks to set up the Broncos 10-0, Brees responded with a 8-of-8 passing in the third quarter for 110 yards and two scores to bring the Saints ahead 17-10.

But a pair a fumbles led to a Trevor Siemian touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas to tie the game 17-17 and a Brandon McManus kick to bring Denver ahead 23-17.

“This game had a lot of ups and downs. Our defense really bailed us out a couple of times and played real well by turning the ball over,” Siemian said after the game. “I think overall the group played really hard and there’s something to be said about that.”

The four turnovers — two interceptions and a fumble recovery from safety Darian Stewart alone — had kept the high-powered Saints offense in check all day. But yet, a six-play, 75-yard scoring drive orchestrated by Brees had Denver staring down a one-point loss on the road heading into the bye week.

Then …

Snap. Hold. Block …

Justin Simmons, a rookie safety earning his keep playing mostly special teams, timed the snap, hopped over the center and blocked Lutz’s attempt.

… Scoop. Score.

After review, the call of the field stands.

Leap the line.
Block the extra point.
Take the lead.
Wow. #DENvsNO https://t.co/yX5QdVQ2Bn

— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2016

That alone would have at least extended the Broncos lifeline down in the Big Easy, but then Will Parks, another Denver rookie safety earning his keep on special teams, scooped up the football and bolted for the end zone for a two-point score to give Denver a 25-23

Not bad for a pair of first-year players who sharing a locker Sunday at the Superdome.

“There are defining moments in your season. That’s a big one,” head coach Gary Kubiak said after the game.

After the game, Parks was nearly at a loss of word to describe the unlikely outcome.

“I don’t know, I must be living right. This team must be living right. Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now,” Park said. “I mean when we are out there, and we have to score and the number one thing is to do that knowing we are down? It was amazing how this game ended.”

It was just the third time in NFL history that a defensive two-point conversion has occurred since the rule was implemented in the 2015 season — and none as game changing as Denver’s.

Veteran linebacker DeMarcus Ware called the game a “huge victory,” especially after a tough road loss to AFC West foe Oakland.

“I’ve never had an ending like that, especially on special teams. It was just big, a big victory,” Ware said. “I mean usually a game ends from the defense because of a forced fumble or interception or something like that. But seeing it happen from special teams, you never see that.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.