Broncos head into bye on three-game winning streak and chasing first playoff spot since 2015 season

DENVER (AP) — On a night when rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw one touchdown pass, his defense caught two.

In a game where Nix completed 18 passes for 294 yards, his defense picked off three Jameis Winston passes for 171 yards.

That defense is Nix’s best friend. Even in a game where it was getting shredded by Winston, Denver's D delivered a pair of pick-6s in a wild 41-32 win over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night.

That side of the ball got gouged — allowing a Browns-record 497 yards passing from Winston and a career-best 235-yard receiving performance by former Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy — but made game-changing plays when it mattered most.

“It’s pretty nice for the offense when they bail us out like that,” Nix said. “It was a complete team win."

Next up, rest.

The Broncos (8-5) enter their bye week two games clear of Indianapolis (6-7) for the final AFC playoff spot. They play the Colts coming out of the break.

With a 76% postseason probability, according to the NFL, Nix and the Broncos are setting up for some meaningful football down the stretch. The team hasn't been to the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl after the 2015 season.

“We’re a confident bunch right now,” said Nix, whose team has won three in a row. “We’re playing aggressively. We’re playing together. We’re playing with a little bit of confidence and a chip on our shoulder.”

The Broncos have graduated to a place where they can overcome sticky situations, such as big games from Winston and Jeudy.

“When need be," Nik Bonitto said, “we’re going to find a way to win and that’s what we did.”

Bonitto helped lead the way with a 71-yard pick-6 in the second quarter. Ja’Quan McMillian wrapped up the game when he intercepted a pass, fell on his back, got up and sprinted 44 yards for a score with 1:48 left. If that wasn't enough, Cody Barton picked off Winston in the end zone and was on his way for another score, returning it 56 yards before being tackled.

“Holy cow. Some games go in a direction you think they are going to go. Obviously that one went in a much different direction,” coach Sean Payton said. "We did enough and made enough plays in the end to win.”

This is a Denver defense that leads the league in sacks and now has three interception returns for TDs.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our team and just where we’re going,” linebacker Jonathon Cooper said. “It's really important that we get our rest this bye week and come back and look at the film and keep it rolling.”

The tandem of Nix and Marvin Mims Jr. They connected on a 93-yard touchdown pass, which is tied for the fourth longest in team history. It's the longest since Jay Cutler found receiver Eddie Royal for a 93-yard score at Cleveland on Nov. 6, 2008. To celebrate, Mims jumped into the stands. “Nobody else was close to me, so I was like: ‘You know what? I’ll jump in the stands,’" he said. “I got grabbed a lot up there. It was cool.” The Broncos had a pair of 100-yard receivers in Mims (105 yards) and Courtland Sutton (102).

The defense could use some shoring up after allowing 552 yards of total offense. The Browns were 2 of 2 on fourth down conversions and had 28 first downs. “Through all the bad things, we just stuck together,” McMillian said. “We didn’t split up. We stayed together and kept fighting to the end.”

Wil Lutz. The kicker hit both field goals and all five extra points to eclipse 1,000 career points in his 127th game. He's the fifth-fastest player to reach the milestone mark.

Levi Wallace. The Browns picked on the cornerback as he tried to cover Jeudy. Denver did stick star cornerback Pat Surtain II on Jeudy at times in an effort to contain him. “He definitely had himself a game,” Surtain said of Jeudy, his teammate with the Broncos and in college at Alabama.

Cornerback Riley Moss (knee) was sorely missed as the Broncos struggled to contain Jeudy, Elijah Moore (eight catches, 111 yards) and tight end David Njoku (nine catches, 52 yards and two scores).

On Tuesday, the Broncos waived receiver Josh Reynolds, who's been on injured reserve after breaking his finger against Las Vegas in Week 5. Reynolds missed the New Orleans game on Oct. 17 and stayed behind in Denver. He and his companions were the victims of a drive-by shooting later that night after leaving a strip club. Of the bullets fired at the vehicle, one struck Reynolds in the left arm and another grazed the back of his head.

Reynolds had 12 catches for 183 yards and one TD with Denver this season.

5 — For the fifth time in team history, the Broncos returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a game. The previous time Denver had a pair of pick-6s in the same game was Oct. 18, 2018, at Arizona by Todd Davis and Chris Harris Jr.

A week off and then a critical home game against Indianapolis on Dec. 15.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian, back center, is congratulated by fans after returning an interception for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian, center, celebrates with fans after returning an interception for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy reacts after his successful 2-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) celebrates his 5-yard reception for a touchdown with wide receiver Jerry Jeudy during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix celebrates with fans following an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Denver Broncos fans cheer for quarterback Bo Nix during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad, left, linebacker Nik Bonitto, center, and defensive end Zach Allen (99) celebrate the 71-yard interception for a touchdown by Bonitto during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) picks off a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins (88) and returns the ball 71-yards for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) outruns Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins for a 71-yard interception return for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) is sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The captains of two Premier League teams are in the spotlight for their choices as the competition celebrates LGBTQ+ inclusion in its campaign to promote equality and diversity.

Rainbow-colored captain armbands were issued to the 20 clubs for matches last weekend and the current midweek round.

Ipswich's Sam Morsy has been the only captain in action who didn't wear the rainbow armband, in games against Nottingham Forest on Saturday and Crystal Palace on Tuesday. Ipswich said after the Forest game that Morsy made the decision “due to his religious beliefs.”

Morsy, a British-born Egypt midfielder, is a practicing Muslim.

Ipswich said it “respect(s) the decision” of Morsy but is “committed to being a fully inclusive club."

“We will continue to grow an environment where all are valued and respected, both on and off the pitch," Ipswich said.

Palace captain Marc Guehi wore a rainbow armband bearing the words “I love Jesus” on it during the match against Newcastle on Saturday. A heart was used instead of the word “love.”

The England defender, who is a devout Christian, and Palace were contacted by the Football Association reminding them that the appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, soccer boots or other equipment of any religious message is prohibited under Rule A4 of the governing body’s regulations, Britain's PA news agency reported Tuesday.

For the game against Ipswich, Guehi's message on the rainbow armband read, “Jesus loves you” — again using a heart sign. It raises the prospect of the player being sanctioned by the FA for defying its rules.

Addressing the issue after the match, Palace manager Oliver Glasner said: “We respect every player and especially Marc. He is our captain. Everyone knows he is a great guy, very humble, and I don’t think we should make it bigger than it is. In football we are all against discrimination and it’s a great campaign.

“We spoke about it. He’s no child, he’s an adult, he has his opinion and we respect it.”

The league's Rainbow Laces campaign, introduced in 2013, is in partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall and includes a range of activities to “highlight community and education initiatives designed to encourage discussion and promote allyship with LGBTQ+ communities,” the competition said. Rainbow Laces branding is widely visible within stadiums on things like corner flags and ball plinths.

It is not mandatory for captains to wear the rainbow armband and it is deemed a personal choice. Last season, Anel Ahmedhodzic, the then-Sheffield United captain, wore a standard armband instead of the rainbow version.

In France, Nantes fined striker Mostafa Mohamed for refusing to play against Toulouse last year on the weekend teams wore rainbow-colored numbers on their jerseys to support the fight against homophobia. In May, Monaco midfielder Mohamed Camara was given a four-game suspension by the league for covering up an anti-homophobia message on the team’s shirt during the club’s final league game of the season.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi wears the Rainbow Laces captain's armband which has the words 'Jesus Heart You' on during the England Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace at Portman Road, Ipswich, England, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi wears the Rainbow Laces captain's armband which has the words 'Jesus Heart You' on during the England Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace at Portman Road, Ipswich, England, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi wearing the Rainbow Laces captain's armband which has the words 'Jesus Heart You' on during the England Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace at Portman Road, Ipswich, England, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Ipswich Town's Sam Morsy, bottom, tackles Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during the English Premier League soccer match between Ipswich Town and Manchester United at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)

Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes, left, and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park, London, Saturday Nov. 30, 2024. (Ben Whitley/PA via AP)