Pat Surtain returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown on Sunday. (AP Photo/Bert Young)
It’s rare to see a 100-yard touchdown in the NFL. Two cases on the same day, even better.
But the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks did just that on Sunday afternoon, with both players racking up over 100 yards of defensive scoring within a matter of minutes.
Patrick Surtain II turns Raiders scoring chance into TD for Broncos
The Broncos scored early in the game at home against the rival Las Vegas Raiders. Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew executed a play-action pass on first-and-goal from the 5-yard line with Las Vegas holding an early 10-3 lead. He rolled out and looked into the end zone for rookie tight end Brock Bowers.
Instead, he found Broncos safety Patrick Surtain II. Surtain picked up the pass at the goal line and ran straight down the right sideline.
Although the Raiders tried to score, the Broncos only scored seven points, resulting in a 10-10 tie. The play was booked as Surtain’s interception and 100-yard return.
Rayshawn Jenkins gains 102 yards
Meanwhile, in Seattle, the Seahawks came up with a unique defensive score that changed the game. The New York Giants threatened to score their first score late in the first quarter on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
Running back Eric Gray took the handoff from Daniel Jones and ran up the middle trying to jump over the goal line. Instead, he lost to football. Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins scooped up the ball in the end zone and sprinted down the right sideline. The Giants’ would-be tackler never had a chance.
Just like Surtain, Jenkins ran straight down the sideline and skipped straight into the end zone. He had a 102-yard fumble return and a touchdown. The Seahawks led 7-0.
Increase in non-offensive TDs
The other two NFL games of the afternoon also saw either the defense or special teams score.
During Green Bay’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw a reckless pass under pressure and fell into the back of the end zone. Linebacker Byron Young lost his balance in the end zone, and Love lifted to grab the ball to avoid the safety.
Safety Jalen McCollough intercepted it at the 4-yard line and tiptoed through the sideline into the end zone. The play resulted in a pick-six and the go-ahead touchdown instead of a safety, giving the Rams a 13-7 lead.
It was the 49ers’ special teams that scored in Santa Clara. With 5:09 left in the second quarter, Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland attempted a 45-yard field goal to tie the game.
Instead, 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom ran untouched from far left and blocked the kick.
49ers defensive back Deomodore Lenoir picked up the loose ball and returned it 61 yards for a San Francisco touchdown. Instead of a 13-13 tie, the 49ers took a 20-10 lead.
And just like that, the flow of all four concurrent NFL games changed dramatically.