The 2024 Broncos produced memorable plays from start to finish.

Denver won 10 games and clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2015. Here’s a look back at the top five moments from an unforgettable season.

5. Nix-Payton dust up

You can argue the Broncos turned the corner after a sideline confrontation. Coach Sean Payton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix had a brief argument in a Week 5 home win over the Raiders. The TV broadcast showed Nix waving his arms and raising his voice. Payton loved the intensity. He later said: “Sometimes, it’s my love language.” The heated exchange resulted in Nix earning more trust from teammates and the coaching staff early in his stellar rookie season.

4. Bonitto to the house

The most impressive play from Nik Bonitto’s breakout season? A 50-yard fumble recovery touchdown in Week 15 at Empower Field. The Colts got tricky, with a backward wide receiver pass back to the QB, that Bonitto sniffed out from the beginning. It showcased his elite awareness and timing to create a turnover out of thin air. Bonitto is a developmental success story in Denver. The second-round draft pick (‘22) grew from a rookie who hardly saw the field to become a Pro Bowler.

3. Mims deep ball TD

The most explosive Nix passing play from his rookie season took place at home on Monday Night Football. He delivered a 93-yard deep shot to wide receiver Marvin Mims down the middle of the field. Nix layered the throw between a trailing cornerback and an oncoming safety. Mims did the rest in a foot race to the end zone. The play reaffirmed Nix’s ability to stretch the field vertically after some NFL draft evaluators questioned his arm strength.

2. Surtain 100-yard pick six

Cornerback Pat Surtain is a finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year after most opposing quarterbacks avoided his side of the field. The Raiders’ Gardner Minshew learned the hard way. His errant pass in Week 5 floated to Surtain and he ran it back 100 yards for a touchdown. It was the loudest moment at Empower Field all season. Surtain is the single most talented Broncos player and a big reason for their turnaround in 2024.

1. Playoffs clinched

Week 18 was four quarters of pure celebration. The Broncos rolled the Chiefs backups, 38-0, to secure their first playoff spot since ex-quarterback Payton Manning led Denver to a Super Bowl title. Fans who stuck around through the entire blowout got rewarded when Nix lapped the stadium postgame to hi-five Broncos Country in the first row. Give credit to the organization for finding its way back to relevance after a long dark period of pro football in Denver.