Broncos Recover Fumble in OTThe Broncos defense came up with the big play it needed.
On third-and-7 from the Broncos 38-yard line, linebacker Joe Mays hit Bears running back Marion Barber, forcing a fumble that linebacker Wesley Woodyard recovered.
The Broncos start with the ball on their own 34-yard line, needing just a field goal to win. Denver is 2-0 in overtime this year, with wins in Miami and San Diego.
-Kenny Legan
Fumble Leads to Vikings FGMinnesota has narrowed the Broncos lead, as Ryan Longwell’s 40-yard field goal with 1:22 left in the first quarter has cut Denver’s lead to 7-5.
The Broncos defense held strong after the Vikings got the ball with a short field to work with.
After a Vikings punt, the Broncos took over on their own 27-yard line. But on first down, McGahee took the carry up the middle, but as he was going down, cornerback Cedric Griffin forced the ball out of his grasp, which was recovered by safety Jamarca Sanford. McGahee was ruled down on the field, but the Vikings challenged the play and the call was reversed upon further review.
Minnesota took over on the Broncos 36-yard line, but were only able to gain 15 yards on five plays before Longwell kicked the field goal.
-Kenny Legan
Broncos Stop Vikings With Fumble RecoveryJust when it looked like Minnesota was going to add onto its 2-0 lead, the Broncos came up with a big play.
On 3rd-and-goal from the Broncos 8-yard line, safety Brian Dawkins came on a delayed blitz and sacked Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, forcing the ball loose. Broncos defensive end Jason Hunter picked the ball up, after it rolled about 15 yards backwards, and ran it back all the way to midfield before he was brought down.
The sack was Dawkins’ 26th of his career, which ranks third in NFL history among defensive backs. It’s also his 36th career forced fumble, which ranks third all-time among all players, since the statistic was tracked starting in 1994.
Click here to hear the audio highlight of the play, courtesy of AM 850 KOA.
-Kenny Legan