Part 7/10:
Key Moments That Wiped Out the Lead
Several specific moments exemplify how critical mistakes compounded the collapse. For instance, Burns’ slow recovery after an interception and the critical offside penalties at important junctures gave Denver additional yardage and opportunities. Many analysts believed that timely timeout usage or more strategic play-calling could have minimized these errors.
Furthermore, the decision-making in the final minutes—such as the choice to run the ball multiple times instead of clearing out clock—signaled a conservative approach that left little room for error. By the time Denver needed only a field goal to win, they needed just one big play—precisely what they got, resulting in a game that seemed lost in a matter of seconds.