LAS VEGAS — A buzz started growing on the Broncos’ sideline when Marvin Mims dropped back to return a punt against the Raiders.

“We talked about it: Marvin is going to break through and score him a touchdown,” cornerback Patrick Surtain recalled at Allegiant Stadium. “It finally came through in the clutch.”

The Broncos won, 24-17, on Sunday with Mims scoring his first career NFL punt return touchdown. Denver (11-2) is riding a 10-game win streak as the AFC’s top playoff seed.

“The biggest thing for me is just being ready when my number is called,” Mims said.

The Mims magic all started with a third-down stop in the second quarter.

Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers sacked Las Vegas quarterback Geno Smith at his own 6-yard line. Raiders punter AJ Cole set up from deep in his own end zone. Mims fielded his boot, with space to move, at the Las Vegas 48-yard line.

“As a returner, you get a short punt, and it’s one of those high skiers where you’ve got to look up,” Mims said. “You don’t know what’s going on in front of you. So, it’s kind of like a trust thing. I ended up taking a chance returning it.”

Mims bolted a few hard steps left before a hard stop with the Raiders closing in fast. Rookie cornerback Jahdae Barron shielded Mims with a block of Las Vegas safety Tristin McCollum. Mims broke a tackle from Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson and then sprinted into space toward the near sideline.

“Somehow, I stayed up,” Mims reflected on his broken tackle. “As soon as I picked my head up — I was gone. We were off to the races.”

Linebacker Justin Strnad sprung Mims free with a block of Raiders tight end Carter Runyon. Mims picked up speed. He pointed at the final Las Vegas player between him and touchdown glory, the punter. Safety JL Skinner followed Mims’ instruction and pummeled Cole into the grass at Allegiant Stadium.

“(Skinner) has been a demon for us on special teams for as long as I’ve been here,” Mims said. “He makes big plays.”

Mims crossed the goal line, dropped his arms in celebration, and raised his right hand for a classic Mile High Salute. The electric return touchdown gave Denver a 14-7 lead at halftime. Coach Sean Payton called it “amazing.”

“Because from my angle, which was pretty (tight), to see Mims come out of that pile? That was a big play,” Payton said.

Mims is the most dynamic return presence in Denver history since Rick Upchurch in the 1970s and 1980s. In fact, Mims is outpacing the Broncos’ legend in several stat categories.

Mims entered Week 14 averaging a higher punt return average (15.7 yards) and kickoff return average (26.9 yards) in comparison to Upchurch. Of course, Mims is just a third-year pro, and Upchurch played nine NFL seasons with the Broncos. Upchurch also returned eight career punt return touchdowns.

Mims has plenty of time to keep stacking his return resume.

“I think a big thing for me is just trying to get as much yardage as possible,” Mims said. “I like to get vertical. I like to stay up. I have a good mix of speed, a little bit of contact balance.”

Mims is not currently a focal point of the passing game. He logged one catch for 5 yards against the Raiders and did not record a catch in his previous games played against the Chiefs and Cowboys. Yet quarterback Bo Nix told reporters on Sunday that Mims “never complains about his offensive production.”

Why not?

“We’re on a 10-game win streak,” Mims said. “I’m not gonna mess this up.”

That selfless attitude only makes his return touchdown sweeter for teammates.

“Returning a (punt) for points? That’s the best offensive drive you’re going to have,” Nix said. “That’s just a great advantage for us. He’s a great threat.”