Bo Nix's 4 TD passes lead Broncos
to 34-26 win over Packers, who lose Micah Parsons to injury
[December 15, 2025]
By ARNIE STAPLETON
DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos were slogging their way through a
rare clunker Sunday against the Green Bay Packers when cornerback
Pat Surtain II delivered the game-saving takeaway.
The reigning NFL defensive player of the year laid out for Jordan
Love's deep throw to Christian Watson and secured his first
interception of an injury-marred season, one that sparked the
Broncos' playoff-clinching, come-from-behind 34-26 win Sunday.
“We may have to use him on offense some,” Bo Nix cracked.
Denver's second-year QB actually had plenty of firepower. Nix tied a
career high with four touchdown passes — connecting with Michael
Bandy, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin and Lil'Jordan Humphrey — to
lead the Broncos (12-2) to their 11th consecutive victory.
The Broncos clinched a playoff berth and moved a game ahead of New
England for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They stayed two games ahead
of the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West.
Green Bay lost star lost star pass rusher Micah Parsons, who went
down with a non-contact knee injury while chasing down Nix. Parsons,
who had energized the green and gold ever since his stunning trade
from Dallas a week before the season opener, is believed to have
suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, a person with knowledge of the
injury told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the severity of
the injury hadn’t been confirmed by tests.
“I’m sickened,” Parsons, who forced a fumble on Denver's opening
drive, told the AP in a text message.
Parsons’ injury is a devastating blow to the Packers (9-4-1), who
fell a half-game behind the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears ahead of
their Soldier Field showdown next weekend.
Parsons was steps away from a sack when he suddenly pulled up and
fell to the ground, grabbing at his left knee.
The Packers also lost Watson to a chest injury after Surtain fell on
him following his third-quarter interception. Green Bay coach Matt
LaFleur confirmed that Watson went to a hospital for tests.
“I told the guys, ‘Nobody is going to feel sorry for us,’” LaFleur
said. “Everybody’s going to have to elevate their play.”
The Packers opened the second half with a TD drive to take a 23-14
lead. After Denver went three-and-out, the Packers went for the kill
shot with a deep throw to Watson on first down and Surtain came away
with the ball, re-energizing both his sideline and the crowd.
“I think a play like that, a sudden turnover, just gets some
adrenaline, gets some emotion back in the game,” said Nix, who
capitalized on the takeaway by leading a touchdown drive that
trimmed Denver's deficit to 23-21.
“He's had some ups and downs this season, he's battled through it,
and that was a Pat Surtain play right there. None many can make it,”
Nix said. “Big-time players make big plays in big moments.”
Riley Moss also recorded his first interceptions of the season. The
Broncos sacked Love three times and held the Packers to just one
touchdown in four trips into the red zone while going 4 for 4
themselves.
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Denver Broncos' Bo Nix scrambles during the first half of an NFL
football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025,
in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
After scoring on their first five drives, the
Packers managed one field goal in their final half-dozen
possessions. The others ended in a pair of picks, two turnovers on
downs and a punt.
“We got a lot of fight,” Surtain said. “The Packers, they got a
great team on both sides of the ball. We knew it wasn't going to be
easy. We kept reiterating that throughout the whole ball game: just
finish, finish, finish and we'll get the job done. ... In order for
us to be great, we've got to find a way to win those games.”
Surtain was one of several Broncos who comforted Parsons as the
Packers' medical personnel attended to him on the field.
“It's very tough,” Surtain said. “Micah, he's a great player in this
league and when you see a player of his caliber go down, we feel for
him.”
Seesaw game
The game featured a half-dozen lead changes.
“Well, we talked about it at halftime and we said that's the habitat
we've been living in,” said Broncos coach Sean Payton, whose team
has pulled out nine one-score victories during its 11-game winning
streak, the franchise's longest since 2012.
“When you get comfortable operating in those games, you don't think
anything of it,” Payton added.
Happy homecoming, sort of
Former Broncos kicker Brandon McManus kicked field goals of 56, 23
and 35 yards to help the Packers take a 16-14 halftime lead and
added a 37-yarder in the fourth quarter that pulled Green Bay within
27-26 before the Broncos iced it on R.J. Harvey's 4-yard TD run.
Injuries
Packers: In addition to Parsons and Watson, TE Josh Whyle
(concussion) and RT Zach Tom (knee) got hurt.
Broncos: Harvey (ribs) was injured late in the game. Also, ILB
Justin Strnad (right ankle) and S Brandon Jones (pectoral) got hurt
and didn't return.
Up next
Packers. At Chicago on Saturday.
Broncos: Host Jacksonville next Sunday.
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