The Denver Broncos needed a spark on third and goal. Failure to find the end zone from the eight-yard line would give way to a field goal and a potential 20-12 lead — room enough for the Cleveland Browns to tie the game in the fourth quarter with a single drive. A touchdown, on the other hand, would push the Broncos’ win probability up over 90 percent.
That’s when Russell Wilson snuck out of the pocket to avoid pressure and looked to the end zone. There, streaking to his right, was tight end Adam Trautman. Wilson uncorked a throw to the sideline, putting it where only his target could catch it, but periliously close to the boundary that could invalidate the score.
A sliding Trautman got his hands on the ball and, by a matter of centimeters, got his butt down in bounds to make it count.
Count it. 😤
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/t3yVlduB9Y
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 26, 2023
Officials on the field ruled Trautman out of bounds. Head coach Sean Payton challenged the call, only to find the merest sliver of daylight between the tight end’s cheeks and the edge of the field.
But that was enough to turn a field goal attempt into a touchdown and push the Broncos on their way to victory. Fans and analysts were in awe of the catch — and had some easy comparisons to make to the Broncos’ other top-tapping touchdown machine, Courtland Sutton.
Adam Trautman is given TD on review. What a play by the TE to go to a knee with the sliding catch. #Broncos widen lead to 23-12 pending PAT. #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 26, 2023
A ridiculous TD catch by COURT….Adam Trautman!!!
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) November 26, 2023
Good overturn in Denver—and good catch by Adam Trautman to put the Broncos up 24-12 1:31 into the fourth quarter.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 26, 2023
Troutman is in!!!! that’s a touchdown @Broncos
— Alfred Williams (@BigAlRadio) November 26, 2023
The wild reaction from the stands here at Mile High after the announcement of Adam Trautman’s TD #9sports pic.twitter.com/xUmDAp3Kmb
— Scotty Gange (@Scotty_G6) November 26, 2023
Call overturned. Touchdown, Adam Trautman, who does his best Courtland Sutton impression on the boundary. https://t.co/x0MmydSsWp
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) November 26, 2023
BRONCOS TOUCHDOWN!!
Wilson finds Trautman for 6🔥
The play was ruled incomplete on the field but the call was reversed. #CLEvsDEN pic.twitter.com/7HBjXGkFEH
— BroncoBlog (@MileHighDubs88) November 26, 2023
Vintage Russell Wilson and an incredible catch by TE Adam Trautman for a #Broncos TOUCHDOWN#Broncos: 24#Browns: 12pic.twitter.com/SUglHx7jqC
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 26, 2023
ADAM TRAUTMAN WHAT A CATCH FOR 6️⃣!!! pic.twitter.com/wNRIM6N1iV
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) November 26, 2023
THAT'S A CATCH AND A TOUCHDOWN!!
Spot on Courtland Sutton impression by Adam Trautman there
— Mile High Mario (@VetanzeTherapy) November 26, 2023
gotta give Trautman props that’s a great catch
— T (@TimContic) November 26, 2023
TRAUTMAN IS THE 🐐 TE
— Michael 🇲🇽 (@RespectMyCos) November 26, 2023
Whether its official or not, hell of an effort by Adam Trautman.
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) November 26, 2023
Trautman sure didn't look like a fish out of water there…
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) November 26, 2023
If I’m Adam Trautman, I am never shutting up about my shin-down touchdown #BroncosCountry
— Lindsay Bebout (@lindsaybebout) November 26, 2023
What a catch by Trautman. And great challenge by Payton. The #Broncos needed that TD.
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) November 26, 2023
