Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, the ability to hold onto a late lead or mount a fourth-quarter comeback separates contenders from also-rans. For the 2024 Denver Broncos, however, Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Denver Broncos has become a frustrating trend—one that has cost them four winnable games and put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Through 14 weeks, the Broncos have led in the fourth quarter of seven games but lost four of those, including heartbreakers against the Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals. Each loss followed a similar script: a strong start, a late lead, then a collapse—whether due to defensive breakdowns, offensive turnovers, or questionable playcalling. This pattern isn’t just a string of bad luck; it’s a systemic issue that has exposed weaknesses in the team’s composure, strategy, and ability to perform under pressure. For a franchise chasing its first playoff berth since 2015, fixing these fourth-quarter struggles is no longer a priority—it’s a necessity.

Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Denver Broncos was never more painful than in their Week 8 loss to the Raiders, a game they led 20-13 with 3:12 left in the fourth quarter. The Broncos’ defense, which had held the Raiders to just 13 points all game, was tasked with closing out the win—but instead, they allowed Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell to march 75 yards in six plays, capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams. To make matters worse, the Broncos’ offense failed to respond: quarterback Bo Nix threw an interception on the first play of their next drive, setting up a Raiders game-winning field goal. Post-game, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph didn’t mince words: “We had the game won, and we let it slip. That’s on us—coaches and players. We didn’t execute the plays we needed to execute when it mattered most.” The loss was a microcosm of the Broncos’ fourth-quarter issues: a defense that couldn’t get a stop, an offense that couldn’t move the ball, and a team that looked overwhelmed by the pressure. It was also their third fourth-quarter loss of the season, leaving them with a 5-3 record and already playing catch-up in the AFC wild-card race.

A key factor behind Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Denver Broncos is the defense’s inability to generate stops in high-leverage situations—especially against the pass. Through 14 weeks, the Broncos’ defense ranks 22nd in the NFL in fourth-quarter pass defense, allowing opponents to complete 67% of their passes and average 8.2 yards per attempt. In their Week 11 loss to the Bills, the defense held a 24-21 lead with 1:45 left but allowed Josh Allen to throw a 35-yard completion to Stefon Diggs, setting up a game-winning field goal. The issue isn’t talent—cornerback Patrick Surtain II is a top-5 cover corner, and defensive end Zach Allen has 10.5 sacks—it’s execution. Too often, the Broncos’ secondary gives up easy completions on third down, and their pass rush fails to pressure quarterbacks when it matters most. “We practice these situations every week,” Surtain said after the Bills loss. “We know what we need to do, but we’re not doing it when the game is on the line. That’s the difference between winning and losing.” Part of the problem is fatigue: the Broncos’ defense ranks 15th in fourth-quarter snap count, meaning players are often tired late in games—a byproduct of an offense that struggles to control the clock (ranking 24th in time of possession).

Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Denver Broncos also stems from offensive inefficiency in the final quarter, where the team ranks 25th in points per drive (1.2) and 28th in third-down conversion rate (28%). In their Week 13 loss to the Bengals, the Broncos led 17-14 with 4 minutes left but went three-and-out on their final two drives, failing to convert a single third down. Quarterback Bo Nix, who has been solid overall this season, has struggled in late-game situations: his fourth-quarter quarterback rating is 72.3, 20 points below his season average, and he’s thrown three interceptions in the final 5 minutes of games. Part of the issue is playcalling: offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has leaned too heavily on conservative run calls in late-game situations, even when opponents are stacking the box. Against the Bengals, the Broncos called three consecutive running plays on their final drive, gaining just 5 yards and turning the ball over on downs. “We need to be more aggressive,” Nix admitted after the game. “When you’re leading late, you can’t just try to run out the clock—you need to make plays to put the game away. We’re not doing that right now.” For the Denver Broncos, this offensive passivity has turned winning positions into losses, wasting the defense’s hard work and frustrating fans who expected more from a team with playoff aspirations.

Another critical impact of Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Denver Broncos is the toll it’s taken on team morale and confidence. After their Week 13 loss to the Bengals, several players admitted to feeling “mentally drained” by the string of late collapses. “It’s hard to come back week after week when you keep losing games you should win,” said running back Javonte Williams. “You start second-guessing yourself, and that’s when mistakes happen.” The losses have also eroded fan trust: attendance at Empower Field at Mile High dropped by 5% in November, and social media has been filled with calls for coaching changes. Head coach Sean Payton, who built his reputation on late-game success with the New Orleans Saints, has acknowledged the need to fix the issue quickly. “This isn’t acceptable,” Payton said in a team meeting. “We’re better than this, and we’re going to fix it—together.” To boost morale, Payton has added extra late-game simulation drills to practice, brought in former NFL players (including Super Bowl-winning quarterback Drew Brees) to speak to the team about handling pressure, and emphasized “mental toughness” in every meeting. For the Denver Broncos, regaining confidence is just as important as fixing X’s and O’s—because without belief, even the best strategies will fail.

Looking ahead, Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Denver Broncos must be addressed if the team wants to salvage its playoff hopes. With four games left in the regular season, including matchups against the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs (both of whom have beaten the Broncos this season), the Broncos can’t afford any more late collapses. Payton and his staff have already made adjustments: the defense is practicing more “two-minute drill” scenarios, focusing on getting off the field on third down; the offense is incorporating more quick passes and RPOs (run-pass options) to keep the clock moving and avoid third-and-long situations; and special teams is working on “prevent” kickoff and punt formations to limit return yards. The Broncos also plan to lean on their veteran leaders—Allen, Surtain, and kicker Wil Lutz—to set the tone in late-game situations. “We have the talent to win these games,” Allen said. “We just need to believe in ourselves and execute. That’s the only way we’re going to turn this around.” For the Denver Broncos, overcoming their fourth-quarter struggles isn’t just about making the playoffs—it’s about proving they have what it takes to be a true contender. If they can finally hold onto a late lead or mount a comeback, they could still salvage their season. If not, Dropping Fourth-Quarter Comebacks for the Denver Broncos will be remembered as the defining flaw of a team that had the potential to be great.