Blocked field goal in final seconds allows Broncos to prevail • Vikings top Saints
A blocked game-tying field goal attempt in the final seconds of regulation could be considered luck – or a curse, if you’re the Los Angeles Chargers.
But to Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe, the block by teammate Shelby Harris that sealed the Broncos’ 24-21 season-opening win over the Chargers was perfectly planned.
Chargers rookie kicker Younghoe Koo’s first 44-yard attempt with one second remaining sailed right through the uprights, only to be waved off because of a timeout called by Broncos head coach Vance Joseph. On that attempt, Wolfe blew through the heart of the Chargers offensive line.
Wolfe knew the Chargers, and especially guard Matt Slauson, would adjust. Wolfe knew he wouldn’t get another shot at blocking a kick, but he figured someone else would. Joseph said later that some of Koo’s kicks had a low trajectory, so given the right amount of push through the right gaps, a block would be possible.
Sure enough, Harris easily burst past a cluster of Chargers linemen. He twisted his 290pound body to the left and stretched his right arm in the air, perfectly timing his leap to get his hand on the football. The ball wobbled and eventually landed on the grass in the back of the end zone as Broncos players dogpiled on top of Harris.
“It feels great to do anything to help the team win. It’s not about the individual glory,” Harris said. “It takes two to do that though, and so I couldn’t have done it without Wolfe though. That’s a big moment right there.”
While the Broncos’ defensive attitude and No Fly Zone swagger might remain, it is a unit in transition in 2017 following the departure of coordinator Wade Phillips and on-field leader T.J. Ward. The Broncos wouldn’t need the stars like Von Miller and Aqib Talib to play well, they would need contributions from guys buried on the depth chart like Harris.
The ending of Monday’s game was reminiscent for the Broncos of their 2016 season-opening win against the Carolina Panthers, when Panthers kicker Graham Gano missed his second attempt at a game-tying field goal, and much of their 2015 Super Bowl run, when they routinely won games on a defensive stop or turnover late in games.
“It’s a good win. It wasn’t clean, but it’s a good win,” Joseph said.
Harris’ block ended what had been an impressive fourth-quarter rally by the Chargers, who scored two touchdowns in the span of 70 seconds of game time, both off of Broncos turnovers, to cut what had been a 17-point Denver lead to three points.
After another Broncos offensive possession stalled and Philip Rivers got a final chance to lead a drive after the two-minute warning, it felt like the game would almost certainly wind up going into overtime.
But the Broncos’ defensive line believed differently. A field goal attempt, especially one from a rookie like Koo, was no sure thing, especially after getting penetration on Koo’s prior field goal attempts and extra points.
For the Broncos, that final push and blocked kick was the difference between ending Week 1 in a three-way tie for first place in the wildly competitive AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders, who both won road games earlier on the NFL’s opening weekend, or falling a game behind early.
“It was crucial, a division game,” Talib said. “We know all of these division games are super important, so it was a real crucial game. It was a huge play by Shelby.”
Vikings 29, Saints 19
Sam Bradford threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns, and the Minnesota Vikings spoiled Adrian Peterson’s return with a victory over New Orleans.
Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs made two touchdown receptions in the first half.
Bradford completed 27-of-32 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns, with no turnovers. Adam Thielen caught nine passes for 157 yards, and tight end Kyle Rudolph added a touchdown reception for Minnesota (1-0).
“When I’ve got time to sit back there and kind of evaluate things, I’ve got all the confidence in the world that our guys outside are going to win,” Bradford said.
Peterson was limited to 18 yards on six carries, in a time share with Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara and an afterthought once the Saints fell behind. Drew Brees was quiet, too, for New Orleans with 291 yards on 27-for-37 passing padded by the late push to catch up.