The Broncos stared at 0-4 and nearly sunk there for a second straight season.
But, thanks to a clutch night by kicker Brandon McManus, and despite a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions by Brett Rypien, the Broncos held on for a 37-28 victory over the winless Jets in New York on Thursday night.
Making his first NFL start, Rypien outplayed Jets quarterback Sam Darnold, a No. 3 overall draft pick, but Rypien’s feel-good night nearly came to a car-crash ending as the Broncos almost blew an 11-point fourth-quarter lead. However, unlike in prior close losses under second-year coach Vic Fangio, Denver emphatically sealed the win in the final two minutes.