What started as a step in the wrong direction ended in a reversal of fortune for the Denver Broncos. Down 10-0 in the first quarter to the visiting Las Vegas Raiders, a game-changing 100-yard interception started what turned into a 34-18 blowout for the Broncos.

In a tiebreaker against themselves, the 2-2 Broncos went one up in the win column for their third straight victory of the season. The win for the Broncos also ended the Raiders’ eight-game win streak over the Broncos since 2020.

After wide receiver Troy Franklin dropped what would have been a 45-yard touchdown pass, rookie quarterback Bo Nix got into a heated discussion with head coach Sean Payton on the sideline. The Broncos scored two consecutive touchdowns after the sideline tiff.

“It is part of the deal. There is still a little bit of Ferris Bueller in this player that we have to get rid of,” said Payton after the game. “I’m talking about Bo. I love him to death, and sometimes it is my love language.”

Asked by the media to explain his comments, Payton elaborated on the 1986 comedy film character Ferris Bueller. “It is just funny. Ferris is kind of quirky and doing his own occasionally,” Payton said when asked to explain the comparison. “Did you watch the movie? Have you ever seen it? He still has some Ferris Bueller in him. He’s got some. I’m not mischievous, but maybe a little bit subtly. Sometimes, you send something in, and I do not want it flipped. It gets flipped, but it is all good. He works his tail off. I am that way. It just is what it is.”

Had the play in question been completed, Nix would have opened up the play and called for a dramatic touchdown. Franklin dropped a sure touchdown, but Nix covered for his teammate, taking responsibility while advancing his credibility as a team leader.

“I wouldn’t put that as a drop on him,” Nix said. “That was probably a 60-yard ball that he had to track down and catch. The fact that he got to it when I overthrew it was pretty impressive. Those are ones that you watch on Sundays, and sometimes you just miss. It was good for him to get his first catch on the over. I thought he’s very close to breaking out. I think that I can help him a lot more than what I am. It was very close. So we’d love to have it back, and I’ll put probably a yard less on it, and he’ll catch it.”

Nix finished with 19 completions for 206 yards, three touchdowns, 3 sacks, and a 117.2 passer rating. Nix, Josh Reynolds, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Patrick Surtain II all had touchdowns in the game. Surtain II had two interceptions to go with his record-tying 100-yard pick. And Riley Moss got his first NFL interception in the Broncos win. Next up for the Broncos are the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at 2:05 PM MT Sunday.

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