Bonitto’s fourth-quarter strip-sack against Panthers mirrors Miller’s Super Bowl 50 moment
The All-Pro edge rusher forced a fumble from Bryce Young with 4:16 remaining, helping the Broncos win and extend a record streak in one-score games.
By Amina Howard ·
Nik Bonitto forced a fumble from Carolina quarterback Bryce Young with 4:16 left in the fourth quarter, a play that secured a win for the Denver Broncos and drew immediate comparisons to Von Miller’s decisive moment in Super Bowl 50.
The strip-sack ended a potential Carolina comeback and moved the Broncos to a 7-2 record. The victory extended Denver’s NFL-record streak of consecutive wins in one-score games to 16. Bonitto recovered the loose ball himself, raising it in the same hand he used to dislodge it from Young.
Former Broncos defensive tackle Malik Jackson told The Denver Post that the play looked almost identical to Miller’s strip-sack against Cam Newton four years ago. Miller had used a similar sequence of moves to beat right tackle Mike Remmers before knocking the ball loose in the Super Bowl. Jackson noted that Bonitto used comparable power and inside moves to set up his final rush against left tackle Rasheed Walker.
Bonitto acknowledged that he was waiting for a specific opportunity to unleash his speed. He explained that he had been using counters to confuse Walker earlier in the game, allowing him to bend around the edge for the decisive play. He stated that he knew the ball was loose immediately after the hit, despite a subsequent review.
The play capped a strong afternoon for Denver’s defensive front, which ranks first in Pro Football Focus pass-rush grade and total quarterback pressures. The Broncos entered the game tied for fourth in the league with 23 sacks and added three more against the Panthers. Bonitto, who had no sacks in his first four games, has recorded four in his last five.
According to Next Gen Stats, Bonitto led the NFL with 21 quick pressures generated within 2.5 seconds before Sunday’s game. His 20.6% pressure rate ranked third among pass rushers with at least 100 snaps. Defensive tackle Zach Allen noted that the unit has been effective when quarterbacks hold the ball, a tactic that has become common against Denver’s defense.
The win gives the Broncos a lead in the AFC West as they head into their bye week. Coach Sean Payton described the strip-sack as a huge play, noting that the team had discussed ball security after Carolina converted two long third downs on the previous drive.
