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It’s rare to see a 100-yard touchdown in the NFL. Two on the same day, even more so.
But the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks did just that Sunday afternoon with a pair of 100-plus yard defensive scores in a matter of minutes.
Patrick Surtain II turns Raiders scoring chance into Broncos TD
The Broncos scored theirs at home early in a game against the rival Las Vegas Raiders. Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew executed a play-action pass on first and goal from the five-yard line with Las Vegas holding an early 10-3 lead. He rolled out and looked toward the end zone for rookie tight end Brock Bowers.
Instead, he found Broncos safety Patrick Surtain II. Surtain intercepted the pass at the goal line and then ran down the right wing intact.
Instead, a possible Raiders scoring drive ended with seven points for the Broncos, resulting in a 10-10 tie. The play was recorded in the book as an interception and a 100-yard return to Surtain.
Rayshawn Jenkins rushes for 102 yards
Meanwhile, in Seattle, the Seahawks came up with their own game-changing defensive score. The New York Giants threatened to put the first points on the board on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line late in the first quarter.
Running back Eric Gray took the pass from Daniel Jones and attempted to jump the goal line on a run up the middle. Instead, he fumbled. Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins scooped it up in the end zone and then ran down the right sideline. The Giants’ would-be tacklers didn’t stand a chance.
Like Surtain, Jenkins ran untouched down the sideline and then jumped untouched into the end zone. He was credited with a 102-yard fumble return and a touchdown. The Seahawks took a 7-0 lead.
Most non-offensive TDs
The other two afternoon NFL games also saw scores on defense or special teams.
In Green Bay’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw a reckless pass under pressure while falling out of the back of the end zone. Linebacker Byron Young had him off balance in the end zone, and Love threw the ball to grab it in an effort to avoid a safety.
Safety Jaylen McCollough intercepted him at the four-yard line and tiptoed down the sideline. Instead of a safety, the play resulted in a pick-6 and a go-ahead touchdown for a 13-7 Rams lead.
In San Francisco, it was the 49ers’ special teams that did the scoring. With 5:09 left in the second quarter, Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland attempted a 45-yard field goal in an effort to tie the game.
Instead, 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom ran untouched to the left and blocked the kick.
49ers defensive back Deommodore Lenoir scooped up the fumble and returned it 61 yards for a San Francisco touchdown. Instead of a 13-13 game, the 49ers took a 20-10 lead.
And just like that, the tides of four NFL games turned dramatically.
