Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Johnson (89) reaches out and catches a Hail Mary pass thrown by QB Russell Wilson for a touchdown against Washington Commanders safety Percy Butler (35) in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. The Broncos lost 35-33. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) walks back to the locker room after the game at Empower Field at Mile High on September 17, 2023, in Denver. The Denver Broncos lost 35-33 to the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos Head coach Sean Payton runs onto the field after the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos lost 35-33 to the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Four F-16s from the 120th Fighter Squadron, based at Buckley Space Force Base fly over Empower Field at Mile High during pregame festivities before the Broncos took on the Washington Commanders on Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Four F-16s from the 120th FS Buckley Space Force Base fly over Empower Field at Mile High during pregame before the Broncos took on the Washington Commanders Sept. 17, 2023. Space Command is headquartered in Colorado Springs but could be relocated by President-elect Donald Trump. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) greets his family on the sideline before the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos take on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) hugs Peyton Manning on the sidelines before the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos take on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Demarcus Ware waves to the crowd during a pregame celebration for the Broncos' Super Bowl XXXIII team and members of the team's Ring of Famers at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. Greg Penner, Owner and Chief Executive Officer, center, and Denver Broncos owner Carrie Walton-Penner took part in the celebration. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) during introductions before the game against the Washington Commanders at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Washington Commanders center Nick Gates (63) flips off Denver Broncos fans while coming onto the field at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) brushes off Washington Commanders safety Darrick Forrest (22) on a keeper in the for 14-yards in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) finds running room against Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (25) in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) gains a few yards after a reception against Washington Commanders cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19) makes a 60-yard pass reception from QB Russell Wilson against Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (13) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19) has a 50-yard return during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Johnson (89) scores a touchdown against the Washington Commanders in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Johnson (89) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (42) was called for facemasking against Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on September 17, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) rushes the ball up the field during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Johnson (89) crosses into the end zone during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Johnson (89) dances in the back of the end zone after touchdown during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19), left, celebrates a touchdown with his team during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball after being hit by Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023, in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gregory (5) sits on the field after a flag was tossed during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023, in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Broncos safety Kareem Jackson (22) was kicked out of the game for an illegal hit on Washington Commanders tight end Logan Thomas (82) during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson (22) was kicked out of the game for an illegal hit on Washington Commanders tight end Logan Thomas (82) during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19) has a 50-yard return during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19) celebrates a first down after a catch during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19), right, celebrates his touchdown with teammate Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (42) hits Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) mid throw during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) losses his helmet after being hit by Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (42) during the first half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos took on the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws a 60-yard pass down field to Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19) against the Washington Commanders in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93), left, and linebacker Cody Barton (57) chase down Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos Head coach Sean Payton ends up losing his second game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos lost 35-33 to the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) watches the action on the field late in the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos lost 35-33 to the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3), center, walks back to the locker room after the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos lost 35-33 to the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
A Denver Broncos fan is disappointed with his team's play at the end of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on September 17, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Broncos lost 35-33 to the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Happy Washington Commanders fans late in the quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High September 17, 2023. The Broncos lost 35-33. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos fans are disappointed with the teams play at the end of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 17, 2023 in Denver. The Denver Broncos lost 35-33 to the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
1 of 39
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Johnson (89) reaches out and catches a Hail Mary pass thrown by QB Russell Wilson for a touchdown against Washington Commanders safety Percy Butler (35) in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High Sept. 17, 2023. The Broncos lost 35-33. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
ExpandBy RJ Sangosti | rsangosti@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Denver Broncos host the Washington Commanders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, September 17, 2023, during week 2 of the NFL season. Blowing an 18-point lead, Denver lost 35-33 to Washington.









































