Broncos’ Riley Moss rides ups and downs again en route to key interception in win over Packers

Playing opposite the Defensive Player of the Year, Riley Moss embraces the madness. With teams frequently targeting the Broncos’ cornerback to stay away from Pat Surtain II on the other side, Moss had another game of highs and lows in Sunday’s 34-28 win over the Packers at Empower Field. Moss was thrown at eight times. He gave up four catches for 43 yards and was flagged for a defensive pass interference call that resulted in a 25-yard gain for Green Bay. But Moss also had three pass break-ups, including a key interception late in the fourth quarter. Welcome once again, Broncos Country, to the Riley Moss thrill ride. “It’s my job, it’s my life — it’s fun, it’s stressful, it’s rewarding, it’s everything you’d want,” Moss said. “I don’t want a vanilla life. And this is absolutely not a vanilla life. I love playing opposite of Pat and making plays when they come to me, even after I experience adversity.” After Moss gave up a 26-yard catch to Romeo Doubs late in the first quarter, later in that same drive, Moss broke up Jordan Love’s pass to Doubs on a pylon route to the front corner of the end zone. That play on a third-and-6 play from the Broncos’ 8-yard-line forced Green Bay to settle for a field goal — and a 6-0 lead instead of a 10-0 lead. It was one highlight from Denver’s bend-but-don’t-break defense that held Green Bay to 1 of 4 in the red zone. “That is our mentality when they get down there (into the red zone) — they’re not scoring seven, and we’ve continued to prove that and show that,” Moss said. Early in the second half, on third down, Moss was flagged for questionable defensive pass interference on a deep go route down the sideline to Matthew Golden. Moss and Golden were hand-fighting down the sideline, but there was minimal contact by the cornerback as Moss batted Love’s pass away with his right hand as it came down. The next play, Josh Jacobs ran for a 40-yard TD that seemed to put the Packers in command, 23-14. Entering Sunday, Moss had the most penalty flags among all defensive backs in the AFC, with nine accepted calls for 178 yards. Of the 11 total penalties called on him, nine were for pass interference. As a team entering the game, the Broncos ranked last in the NFL with 18 defensive pass interference calls, resulting in 312 yards lost. But even though Moss was heated about the call against him on Sunday, he said he used his 10th accepted penalty as “fuel” for the rest of the day. Broncos safety P.J. Locke noted Moss “has a different type of short memory than most cornerbacks.” Related Articles Broncos-Packers report card: Bo Nix authors best game of his NFL career Broncos four downs: Bo Nix’s best NFL game carries Denver to 11th straight win Packers pass rushing standout Micah Parsons hurts left knee against Broncos Broncos safety Brandon Jones, linebacker Justin Strnad, receiver Marvin Mims banged up vs. Packers How it Happened: Broncos beat Packers, clinch playoff berth Moss proceeded to intercept Love off a deflection with 6:38 left, his first pick this season and second of his career, then broke up a pass on Green Bay’s penultimate offensive play of the game. “I had great coverage on that deep ball (to Golden), and (the referees) wanted to throw the flag from across the field. That’s fine, they can do that,” Moss said. “But the ball doesn’t lie at the end (with the pick). “The call was kind of a kick in the nuts, but at the same time, you’ve got to keep rolling. That happened, and I was frustrated. But I finished the game off great. That’s the key (to succeeding) in the NFL — if you can take the punches, and continue to fight.” The third-year pro’s interception was one of two on the day for the Broncos, along with Pat Surtain II’s highlight-reel pick a few minutes into the third quarter that changed the momentum of the game as Denver clinched a playoff berth. Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.