Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga celebrates a win over the Los Angeles Rams, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
He made arguably the two biggest plays of the game, but Talanoa Hufanga didn’t want any of the spotlight Sunday night. A timely sack late in the game on quarterback Matthew Stafford forced the Los Angeles Rams to settle for a field goal, but with his team down three, it was an interception he returned 66 yards for a touchdown that changed the tide and gave the Denver Broncos their first lead of the game.
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After being down 16-0 at halftime, the Broncos eventually pulled out a 30-26 win to improve to 2-1 on the season.
“Honestly, man, all praise to God,” Hufanga told NBC Sports following the game. “Just come out here, believe in myself, believe in my teammates to be in the right spot, all glory to God that I can go out there and play and have some fun.”
Head coach Sean Payton said the pick-six was the play of the game.
“[Hufanga’s] been such a consistent performer for us and leader,” Payton said. “I love him, I love coaching him.”
In total, Hufanga recorded five tackles, three passes defended, a sack, two interceptions and the touchdown against the Rams. For his efforts, he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career. He became the first player since 1982 (when the individual sack became an official statistic) to record a sack and multiple interceptions — including an interception return of 50 or more yards for a touchdown — in a single quarter of a single game, which he accomplished during the fourth quarter against L.A.
“It’s one of those recognitions, it’s a personal award, but at the same time there are things that go into it,” Hufanga said Wednesday, praising his teammates and coaches that also helped him make plays. “… As much as it’s an individual award, it does feel like when you have a player that can get that award on your defense, [that’s] a team award. That’s guys putting me in the right position too, so I’m super thankful for that.”
This is the second year in Denver for Hufanga, who began his pro career in 2021 with the San Francisco 49ers after they drafted him in the fifth round out of USC, where he earned Polynesian College Football Player of the Year and consensus All-American honors in 2020. He became a full-time starter and a Pro Bowler with the 49ers in 2022, but injuries interrupted his next two seasons.
In the midst of recovering, he leaned on his faith in God, even referencing Psalm 139:23-24 in an Instagram post after the 2023 season.
“The season came to an abrupt end for me, but the season of growth God has for me is just beginning!” he wrote. “Thank you to all the friends, family and fans that are sending me thoughtful messages and prayers. Y’all’s support means so much to me. My dawgs out there holding it down, can’t wait to be back out there with y’all! Bang Bang Niner Gang!!”
He entered free agency following the 2024 season and signed with the Broncos in March 2025 on a three-year, $45 million contract. After being a second-team All-Pro last year, he’s seemingly found a home in Denver and is one of the leaders for a strong defense hoping to help the team back to the playoffs. The Broncos’ run last season ended with a 10-7 loss in the AFC Championship Game to the New England Patriots.
Hufanga was asked Sunday night about some missed opportunities on interceptions last season (when he had zero) as well as a couple dropped possible interceptions in Sunday’s game. After missing a lot of time due to injuries over the course of a couple seasons, that helps him keep things in perspective.
“Praise God to come out there and just play the game I love and walk out healthy,” Hufanga said in a postgame press conference. “You definitely do, and when I talked this offseason, you try and not get too down on yourself. I actually had to have a pep talk with myself. Like I dropped two [possible interceptions] at the beginning of the game, and it was in there, for sure. ‘Ah, don’t be the guy — make the plays when they come.’ So just sitting back with some patience and letting the game come to me, for sure. Man, two big plays, but this team is just incredible. Regardless of what you’re going through, you see this team, this team rises, so very thankful, for sure.”
The injuries may have kept him off the field more than he wanted, but his time with the 49ers was incredibly formative for him personally and spiritually.
“Change is always exciting, but this is a season of my life I will always cherish and reminisce as one of the best times of my life,” he posted on Instagram after signing with the Broncos. “Thank you to all the teammates and coaches that not only helped me grow as a football player, but as a man of God. You all have become family to me and I’ll never forget the relationships I have been fortunate enough to make.”
Hufanga, fresh off one of the best performances of his career, will face his old team this week as the Broncos play the 49ers in Santa Clara, California, with kickoff set for 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.
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