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Final Score
Miami 36
Denver 39
After trailing through the first three quarters, the Denver Broncos made a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Miami Dolphins 39-36.
Here’s how it happened.
Dolphins Take Lead into Halftime
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The Miami Dolphins have taken a 21-17 lead into halftime over the Denver Broncos.
Miami running back Daniel Thomas opened the scoring on Miami’s first drive of the game when he ran in from three-yards out to cap off a seven-play, 80-yard drive.
After Denver’s Brandon McManus hit a 38-yard field goal later in the first quarter, Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill ran in from one-yard out to extend Miami’s lead (pictured above).
Denver finally scored a touchdown midway through the second quarter when quarterback Peyton Manning hit Demaryius Thomas for a five-yard touchdown pass. After the two minute warning, Miami scored again when Tannehill found Mike Wallace for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
But Manning and the Denver offense still had enough time for a score, as the Denver quarterback found Thomas for a second touchdown right before halftime, cutting Miami’s lead to 21-17 at halftime.
Manning, Thomas Hook-Up For Third TD
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After hooking up for two touchdowns in the first half, Denver’s Peyton Manning hit Demaryius Thomas (pictured) for another touchdown in the fourth quarter.
After Miami scored the lone touchdown of the third quarter when Tannehill found Jarvis Landry for a five-yard touchdown pass, Manning found Thomas in the corner of the end zone for a five-yard touchdown pass with 14 minutes remaining in the game. The Broncos then were successful in completing their two-point attempt, when Manning found Emmanuel Sanders on the PAT to cut Miami’s lead to 28-25.
Broncos Take First Lead of Game
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Denver took its first lead of the game when running back C.J. Anderson (pictured), who is making his second career start, ran in from 10 yards out. The touchdown, which capped off an 11-play, 70-yard drive, gives Denver a 32-28 lead with five minutes remaining.
Tannehill Throws Late Interception
With just over three minutes remaining, Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw an interception, which was deflected and then fell into the arms of Denver’s T.J. Ward (vine above). Denver capitalized two plays later when Manning hit wide receiver Wes Welker for a two-yard touchdown pass to give the Broncos a 39-28 lead.
Dolphins Cut Into Lead with 1:34 Left
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Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill hit wide receiver Jarvis Landry (pictured) for a one-yard touchdown pass with 1:34 remaining in the game. After a successful two-point conversion, Miami cut the Broncos’ lead to 39-36.
Denver recovered the onside kick and was able to run out the rest of the clock.
Preview
Earlier this month, the Denver Broncos (7-3) were poised to enter a stretch of three consecutive road games with their sights set squarely on the AFC’s No. 1 seed. After that road trip ended with a 1-2 record, including a surprising loss in St. Louis this past Sunday, the Broncos are now in a scrap just to win their division.
Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins (6-4) come to Denver having won four of their last five games. They have surrendered 56 points in those five games combined.