Any substantial comeback requires several big-time plays in critical moments.
On Sunday against the Eagles, Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram delivered a slew of them in a 21-17 win.
The Broncos' No. 1 receiver was particularly productive on third down, as four of Sutton's eight catches resulted in third-down conversions for Denver. None was bigger than a 34-yard reception on third-and-15 midway through the fourth quarter. Quarterback Bo Nix stood in the pocket and delivered to Sutton in traffic, and the veteran receiver then broke a tackle to fight for another 20 yards.
On Denver's go-ahead touchdown drive, Sutton caught a pair of passes for 48 yards — and he added a 16-yard catch on third-and-6 on the ensuing drive to help the Broncos eventually extend their lead.
"He's got strong hands in traffic," Head Coach Sean Payton said of Sutton. "The play he made to get us into field-goal range, that was a huge third-down catch and throw. I love his confidence, and Bo and he now have been together for a good year and a half, two years. You can feel it. I knew he was throwing that ball to Sutton on that third down, and it was a good throw and a good catch by Courtland. So, he's a terrific player."
Sutton caught four of his eight total receptions in the fourth quarter while recording 76 of his 99 receiving yards.
Working against a talented young cornerback in Quinyon Mitchell, Sutton caught six of eight targets for 81 yards — with three catches for 64 yards coming in the fourth quarter. Mitchell, who finished as the Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2024, had previously never allowed more than two receptions or 49 yards to a player in a game, according to the NFL's Next Gen Stats.
Engram made his own significant contribution and responded after Payton said he "got after him a little."
"He's a great weapon," Payton said. "He made some big plays — obviously, the touchdown."
Engram caught the go-ahead pass near the 8-yard line, turned upfield and broke a tackle as he dove into the end zone.
"Breaking a tackle to go score was big," Nix said. "You don't have to run any more plays against a tough red-zone defense. So, really good to see him get in the end zone. Excited for what's to come with him. I know it's just trying to build certain things and just put him in places to succeed. I think he showed today that he's on the right track."
Engram's first touchdown with the Broncos was preceded by a reaching 18-yard grab to begin Denver's go-ahead scoring drive. The veteran player finished with four catches for 33 yards and a touchdown and now has eight catches for 62 yards over the last two weeks.
"He called my number, and I just wanted to help the team," Engram said. "I just wanted to help get the offense in a rhythm and do my part and help us get this win."
The late contributions from both Engram and Sutton were timely and critics in helping the Broncos earn the come-from-behind upset win.
"I think we just made big plays," Engram said. "Look at Court, what he was able to do on that third-and-15, even that jump ball late. … Guys stepped up and made big plays. Everybody did their job."
PAYTON PASSES MENTOR
The Broncos' upset win pushed Denver to 3-2 ahead of a meeting in London with the Jets, and it also elevated Payton above his mentor and Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcells on the NFL's all-time wins list.
Payton's 173rd career win — and 21st with the Broncos — tied him with Jeff Fisher and John Harbaugh for the 14th most wins in NFL history, and Owner & CEO Greg Penner presented him with a game ball in the locker room after the win.
"I've had a chance to get to know Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells over the last few years," Penner said in the locker room. "We all know what a mentor and friend he's been to our coach, Sean Payton. Today, Sean passed Coach Parcells."
Payton said he spoke to Parcells ahead of the Eagles game and he said "it meant a lot" to receive a game ball from Penner.
"I told our team, I said, 'Look, you're going to forget the money, the cars, all that stuff, but you're not going to forget just these moments, this trip over to London,'" Payton said. "Ultimately, that's what you do it for. You're making memories."
Payton, whose first NFL job was for the Eagles as the team's quarterbacks coach, noted the significance of passing Parcells in Philadelphia.
"I grew up here as a kid," Payton said. "My first NFL job was here. … [I] grew up on the Flyers, the Eagles, Sixers. I can give you all the lineups. But, there's a lot of respect we have for this team, this coaching staff and the team we just played. … This is a team that just won the Super Bowl. So, it's a good win."
