RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostFans hold up a mask of Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller as Frankenstein as they wait to see Peyton Manning be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame on Oct. 31, 2021. The Ring of Fame ceremony took place before the Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team during a Halloween game at Empower Field at Mile High.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPeyton Manning is inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame at Empower Field at Mile High on Oct. 31, 2021. The ceremony took place before Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team during a Halloween game.- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPeyton Manning's bust is on display as he is inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame on October 31, 2021. The ceremony took place before the Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team during a Halloween game at Empower Field at Mile High.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPeyton Manning鈥檚 father Archie Manning gives his son a thumbs-up as he is inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame at on Oct. 31, 2021. The ceremony took place before the Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team during a Halloween game at Empower Field at Mile High.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPeyton Manning meets with fans after he was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame on Oct. 31, 2021. The ceremony took place before the Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team during a Halloween game at Empower Field at Mile High.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPeyton Manning is inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame on Oct. 31, 2021. The ceremony took place before the Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team during a Halloween game at Empower Field at Mile High.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostTeddy Bridgewater (5) of the Denver Broncos prepares for the Washington Football Team during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostBaron Browning (56), Shelby Harris (96), Malik Reed (59) and Dre鈥橫ont Jones (93) of the Denver Broncos prepare to face off with the Washington Football Team during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostGarett Bolles (72) of the Denver Broncos prepares for the Washington Football Team during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostAlbert Okwuegbunam (85) of the Denver Broncos stiff arms Cole Holcomb (55) of the Washington Football Team during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJonathan Allen (93) of the Washington Football Team tackles Albert Okwuegbunam (85) of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDenver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (85) celebrates a first down at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 31, 2021. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team for a NFL Week 8 Halloween matchup.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDeAndre Carter (1) of the Washington Football Team is tackled by Jonas Griffith (50), Eric Saubert (82), Tyrie Cleveland (16) and Jacob Bobenmoyer (46) of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJaret Patterson (32) of the Washington Football Team runs agains the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJustin Strnad (40) and DeShawn Williams (90) of the Denver Broncos pursue Antonio Gibson (24) of the Washington Football Team during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCourtland Sutton (14) of the Denver Broncos makes a catch over Benjamin St-Juste (25) of the Washington Football Team during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostTim Patrick (81) of the Denver Broncos is tackled by Benjamin St-Juste (25) of the Washington Football Team during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCourtland Sutton (14) of the Denver Broncos cannot haul in a pass as Kendall Fuller (29) of the Washington Football Team defends during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCourtland Sutton (14) of the Denver Broncos reacts to not hauling in a pass as he was defended Kendall Fuller (29) of the Washington Football Team defends during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) gets sacked by Washington Football Team safety Landon Collins (26) at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 31, 2021. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team for a NFL Week 8 Halloween matchup.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostTaylor Heinicke (4) of the Washington Football Team drops back to pass against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDenver Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris (96), right, celebrates a sack at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 31, 2021. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team for a NFL Week 8 Halloween matchup.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDenver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) passes down field at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 31, 2021. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team for a NFL Week 8 Halloween matchup.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDenver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) goes around Washington Football Team linebacker Khaleke Hudson (47) to head into the end zone for a Bronco鈥檚 touchdown at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 31, 2021. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team for a NFL Week 8 Halloween matchup.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMelvin Gordon (25) of the Denver Broncos celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Washington Football Team with teammate Jerry Jeudy (10) during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (53) points to the Washington Football Team sideline at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 31, 2021. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team for a NFL Week 8 Halloween matchup. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFormer Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is introduced as the latest member of the team鈥檚 Ring of Fame during halftime against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. Manning won a Super Bowl as well as an MVP as the Broncos quarterback.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFormer Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is introduced as the latest member of the team鈥檚 Ring of Fame during halftime against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. Manning won a Super Bowl as well as an MVP as the Broncos quarterback.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFormer Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning stands with his children, Marshall and Mosley, and former teammate Brandon Stokley introduced as the latest member of the team鈥檚 Ring of Fame during halftime against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. Manning won a Super Bowl as well as an MVP as the Broncos quarterback.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostFormer Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is introduced as the latest member of the team鈥檚 Ring of Fame during halftime against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. Manning won a Super Bowl as well as an MVP as the Broncos quarterback.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostKareem Jackson (22) of the Denver Broncos tackles Antonio Gibson (24) of the Washington Football Team during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostAntonio Gibson (24) of the Washington Football Team breaks a tackle by Baron Browning (56) of the Denver Broncos during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJaret Patterson (32) of the Washington Football Team flies out of bounds after being hit by Ronald Darby (21) of the Denver Broncos during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDeAndre Carter (1) of the Washington Football Team makes a touchdown catch over Bryce Callahan (29) of the Denver Broncos during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDenver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio calls in a play against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 31, 2021. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team for a NFL Week 8 Halloween matchup.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostOver 11,000 fans did not show for the game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostTeddy Bridgewater (5) of the Denver Broncos trips himself up before. being sacked by the Washington Football Team during the fourth quarter of Denver鈥檚 17-10 win at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJerry Jeudy (10) of the Denver Broncos makes a catch against the Washington Football Team during the fourth quarter of Denver鈥檚 17-10 win at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDenver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25), right, heads into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 31, 2021. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team for a NFL Week 8 Halloween matchup.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRonald Darby (21) of the Denver Broncos tackles Dax Milne (15) of the Washington Football Team during the fourth quarter of Denver鈥檚 17-10 win at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDenver Broncos players stand around in support as teammate Bryce Callahan (29) is tended to after getting hurt breaking up a pass in the end zone againstt the Washington Football Team during the fourth quarter of Denver鈥檚 17-10 win at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDenver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) is helped off the field at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 31, 2021. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team for a NFL Week 8 Halloween matchup.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJustin Simmons (31) of the Denver Broncos makes a touchdown-saving tackle on Terry McLaurin (17) of the Washington Football Team during the fourth quarter of Denver鈥檚 17-10 win at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJustin Simmons (31) of the Denver Broncos intercepts a ball in the end zone intended for Cam Sims (11) of the Washington Football Team as Pat Surtain II (2) defends during the fourth quarter of Denver鈥檚 17-10 win at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
- RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDenver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) comes down with an interception against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Oct. 31, 2021. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team for a NFL Week 8 Halloween matchup.
- AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRonald Darby (21) of the Denver Broncos walks off after defending on the final play of the game, a pass by Taylor Heinicke (4) of the Washington Football Team that sailed out of bounds during the fourth quarter of Denver鈥檚 17-10 win at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
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Fans hold up a mask of Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller as Frankenstein as they wait to see Peyton Manning be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame on Oct. 31, 2021. The Ring of Fame ceremony took place before the Denver Broncos took on the Washington Football Team during a Halloween game at Empower Field at Mile High.
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By AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and RJ Sangosti | rsangosti@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The game had been over for 20 minutes, a game the Broncos tried to give away via strategic malpractice and desperately needed to win to keep fans interested in November when coach Vic Fangio was asked for his more dominant emotion: Excitement or relief?
Excited about beating Washington 17-10 to break a four-game losing streak Sunday or relieved because his defense saved the day after Melvin Gordon鈥檚 fumble with 21 seconds remaining.
Fangio leaned back from the podium, looked to the floor and took a second to collect his thoughts 鈥� probably a combination of those he felt comfortable saying and those he felt were better left unsaid.
鈥淧robably 50-50,鈥� he said of the excitement/relief. 鈥淲e needed to win that game.鈥�
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