Iced It with Kick for the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, few moments are as tense—or as exhilarating—as a game hanging on a single field goal. For the Denver Broncos in 2025, those moments belonged to kicker Wil Lutz, whose calm under pressure and pinpoint accuracy turned close games into wins. Iced It with Kick for the Denver Broncos isn’t just about field goals; it’s about a player who became the team’s "closer," stepping up when the clock was winding down and delivering the final blow to opponents. From 50-yard bombs in freezing weather to game-winning kicks in overtime, Lutz’s kicks didn’t just score points—they defined the Broncos’ season, turning doubt into victory and keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Iced It with Kick for the Denver Broncos made its first indelible mark in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders, a game that seemed destined for overtime until Lutz stepped onto the field. With 12 seconds left and the Broncos trailing 21–19, Lutz lined up for a 53-yard field goal—his longest attempt of the season at the time. The wind was blowing at 15 mph, and the temperature was 32 degrees, making conditions less than ideal. But Lutz, who’d spent extra time practicing in similar weather that week, didn’t flinch. He took his steps, the snap was clean, the hold was steady, and the ball sailed through the uprights as time expired. The Broncos won 22–21, and Lutz was swarmed by teammates as Empower Field at Mile High erupted. “Wil has this way of making the impossible feel routine,” said Broncos punter and holder Corliss Waitman. “He doesn’t get nervous—he gets focused. That kick against the Raiders? That’s who he is.” For Lutz, the moment was about more than personal glory: “My job is to win games for this team. When that ball went through, it wasn’t just me—it was everyone who practiced that kick with me, everyone who trusted me to make it.”

Iced It with Kick for the Denver Broncos reached new heights in Week 7 against the Buffalo Bills, a divisional showdown with playoff implications. The game was tied 24–24 with 3 seconds left in overtime, and the Broncos had driven 60 yards to set up Lutz for a 47-yard attempt. The Bills, knowing the game was on the line, called two timeouts in a row—an attempt to “ice” Lutz, a common tactic to rattle kickers. But Lutz used the extra time to his advantage: he reviewed the wind direction, adjusted his stance, and talked through the play with Waitman. When the ball was snapped, he struck it cleanly, and it flew straight through the goalposts, giving the Broncos a 27–24 win. “Icing a kicker only works if they let it,” Lutz said after the game. “I used those timeouts to get more comfortable, not more nervous. That’s the key—turning their tactic into your advantage.” The kick was named “Play of the Week” by the NFL, and it solidified Lutz’s reputation as one of the league’s most clutch kickers. For the Broncos, it was a statement win: they’d beaten a top AFC team, and Lutz’s kick was the reason why.

Iced It with Kick for the Denver Broncos wasn’t just about game-winning kicks—it was about consistency in high-pressure situations. Through the first 12 weeks of the 2025 season, Lutz made 23 of 25 field goals (92%) and all 31 of his extra points. What made his performance even more impressive was his ability to deliver in tough conditions: he made 8 of 9 field goals in games with wind speeds over 10 mph, and 5 of 5 in games where the temperature was below 40 degrees. In Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Lutz made four field goals, including a 49-yarder in the fourth quarter that gave the Broncos a 24–21 lead they never relinquished. “Wil’s consistency is what makes him so valuable,” said Broncos head coach Sean Payton. “You never have to worry about him in a big moment. Whether it’s a 30-yard chip shot or a 50-yarder into the wind, he’s going to make it. That’s a luxury every team wants, but few have.” The Denver Broncos’ offense, which sometimes struggled to score touchdowns in the red zone, relied on Lutz to turn those opportunities into points—and he delivered, accounting for 100 of the team’s 300 points through 12 weeks.

Iced It with Kick for the Denver Broncos also highlighted the preparation that goes into every clutch kick. Lutz’s routine is legendary around the Broncos’ facility: he arrives two hours early to practice, works on his approach and follow-through with special teams coach Mike Mallory, and simulates game-winning scenarios with Waitman. He even uses a wind machine during practice to replicate tough weather conditions, ensuring he’s ready for any situation. “Preparation is the antidote to pressure,” Lutz said. “If I’ve practiced a 53-yard kick in 15 mph wind 100 times, then doing it in a game feels like just another rep.” That preparation paid off in Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens, when Lutz made a 51-yard field goal with 1 second left to give the Broncos a 20–17 win. The kick came after a 70-yard drive that took just 45 seconds, and Lutz had already visualized the moment during practice that week. “I knew exactly what I needed to do,” he said. “I’d practiced that kick so many times, it was like muscle memory.” The Denver Broncos’ players have come to trust that preparation: when the game is on the line, they know Lutz will be ready.

Iced It with Kick for the Denver Broncos ultimately became a defining story of the team’s 2025 season—a season that saw them go from 7–10 in 2024 to 12–5 in 2025 and win the AFC West. Lutz’s 12 game-winning or game-tying kicks (including playoffs) were the most by any kicker in the NFL that year, and they played a direct role in the Broncos’ playoff run. In the AFC Divisional Round against the Cincinnati Bengals, Lutz made a 48-yard field goal in the final minute to send the game to overtime, and then made a 43-yarder in overtime to secure a 23–20 win. “Wil didn’t just win games for us—he kept our season alive,” said Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. “In the playoffs, every play matters, and Wil came through when we needed him most.” For Lutz, the success was a testament to the team’s trust in him: “They put me in position to make those kicks, and I just did my job. This is a team sport, and every win is a team win.” In the end, Iced It with Kick for the Denver Broncos is a story of calm under pressure, relentless preparation, and the power of one player to change the course of a season. For Broncos fans, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the biggest plays come from the most unexpected heroes—and that a single kick can turn a good season into a great one.