Evan Engram didn’t make many big plays for the Broncos this season. His longest reception was just 20 yards until Sunday night’s game against the Commanders, where he changed everything with a remarkable 41-yard catch-and-run in overtime. This play helped set up a crucial touchdown, leading to a 27-20 victory for Denver.
The game was intense. After Washington tied it at 20-20 with a last-second field goal, they won the coin toss. Instead of receiving the ball, they decided to kick it. Denver quickly moved 76 yards down the field. Quarterback Bo Nix made two solid 12-yard completions and then found Engram in the middle. Engram accelerated, gaining 41 yards and putting the Broncos in a fantastic position at the 11-yard line. Shortly after, RJ Harvey scored a 5-yard touchdown.
But the game wasn’t over yet. Quarterback Marcus Mariota came in for Washington, throwing a 20-yard pass to Terry McLaurin. Even after a fourth-and-6 interception, the game continued due to a defensive pass interference penalty. Mariota managed to evade defenders and connect with Jeremy McNichols, keeping the drive alive.
Mariota had a setback when an offensive holding call wiped out a deep touchdown pass to McLaurin, but he bounced back with a stunning 38-yard pass to Deebo Samuel, bringing Washington down to the 2-yard line. Mariota later connected with McLaurin for a 3-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal, but the Commanders couldn’t convert a two-point conversion attempt. Nik Bonitto, rushing in, batted Mariota’s pass down.
The Broncos had an early lead with field goals before Chris Rodriguez put Washington on the board with an 8-yard touchdown. Just before halftime, Nix threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton, giving Denver a brief lead. Treylon Burks then pulled off a remarkable one-handed catch for a touchdown, putting Washington up 14-13.
RJ Harvey regained the lead for Denver with a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Washington tied it again with a field goal after a Bobby Wagner interception.
Nix finished the game 29-of-45, throwing for 321 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Meanwhile, Mariota completed 28-of-50 passes for 294 yards with two touchdowns and one pick, also serving as their leading rusher with 55 yards on 10 carries. McLaurin stood out with seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.
With this win, the Broncos improved to 10-2, placing them as the top seed in the AFC, at least for now. They’ll face the struggling 2-10 Raiders in Week 14. Meanwhile, the Commanders are reeling, marking their seventh consecutive loss after a promising 3-2 start. They hope to welcome back quarterback Jayden Daniels from an elbow injury in their upcoming game against the 4-8 Vikings.
The changing dynamics of the NFL season remind us how quickly fortunes can shift. Data from the NFL shows that injuries and losses can significantly alter a team’s path. For more insight on team performance and statistics, you can explore NFL’s official site here.
