Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
Live updates
FINAL OT | Broncos 27, Commanders 26
Broncos survive wild OT, beat Commanders 27-26 to run winning streak to nine games
Bo Nix's late-game heroics arrived a little later than usual and Nik Bonitto did Nik Bonitto things as the Broncos escaped with a 27-26 overtime victory over the Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
After Washington elected to kick after winning the coin toss for overtime, Nix led Denver to a five-play, 76-yard drive that was capped off by rookie running back RJ Harvey's 5-yard touchdown, his second score of the day.
And Denver's defense bent — more than usual — on Washington's subsequent drive, allowing a touchdown. But Bonitto stepped up on the two-point attempt and deflected Marcus Mariota's pass attempt. The Broncos improved to 10-2 while the Commanders fell to 3-9.
More Broncos coverage:
- Analysis: Broncos survive wild OT, beat Commanders 27-26 to run winning streak to nine games.
- Renck: Bo Show remains a hit, especially in clutch, but Broncos cannot keep winning this way.
- Broncos-Commanders report card: Bo Nix, Nik Bonitto provide exclamation marks in OT win.
- PHOTOS: Denver Broncos outlast Washington Commanders 27-26 in OT, NFL Week 13.
- Broncos 4 downs: Yo, Denver haters, nothing lucky about cancer survivor Alex Singleton helping seal Denver's 9th straight win.
- Broncos star CB Pat Surtain II makes return vs. Commanders after three-game absence.
Overtime updates
Casa Bonitto (10:01 p.m.): Nik Bonitto deflects the pass. Ballgame. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Commanders (9:59 p.m.): Marcus Mariota connects with Terry McLaurin after the pick play on Pat Surtain II. Washington is going for two. — Nguyen
So close, it Ertz (9:58 p.m.): Third down — Zach Ertz couldn't pull it in.
It comes down to this for Washington. — Nguyen
Incompletion (9:57 p.m.): Second down — Incomplete pass by Marcus Mariota. — Nguyen
TFL (9:56 p.m.): First down — Denver stops McNichols for a 2-yard loss. — Nguyen
Huge play (9:55 p.m.): Deebo Samuel beats Riley Moss for a monster 39-yard gain. It's at the Denver 2-yard line. — Nguyen
Penalty (9:54 p.m.): Almost an amazing play for Washington after Marcus Mariota connects with Terry McLaurin in the end zone. But it's coming back on the holding call. — Nguyen
TFL (9:53 p.m.): Huge stop of McNichols for 2-yard loss by Denver's front line. — Nguyen
Fourth-and-6 (9:50 p.m.): On fourth-and-6, Washington is picked off. But Talanoa Hufunga is dinged with a pass interference call for knocking down the receiver. A new set of downs for Washington. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Broncos (9:45 p.m.): RJ Harvey runs for a 5-yard touchdown to cap a five-play, 76-yard drive that took just 3:01. Broncos 27, Commanders 20 with 6:59 to go. — Nguyen
Joker (9:44 p.m.): Bo Nix's fourth-quarter heroics look like they're coming a little late. He finds Evan Engram for a huge 41-yard catch-and-run. Denver's driving. — Nguyen
Pass protection (9:43 p.m.): Great block by RJ Harvey, who gives Bo Nix an easy escape and a pass to Adam Troutman for 11. — Nguyen
First down (9:42 p.m.): Quick hit to RJ Harvey, who gets the first down with some pushing assistance from Quinn Meinerz. — Nguyen
Coin toss (9:40 p.m.): Washington wins the toss and elects to kick. — Nguyen
Fourth-quarter updates
Field goal, Commanders (9:36 p.m.): Jake Moody nails the 32-yard field goal to tie the game at 20-apiece. We're going to overtime, folks. — Nguyen
Huge first down (9:29 p.m.): Zach Ertz with a monster catch on fourth-and-6 to keep the drive going. — Nguyen
Pass breakup (9:28 p.m.): Riley Moss has had a game today. Big break up on that play. — Nguyen
Penalties (9:26 p.m.): Washington gets dinged with a false start and then an intentional grounding call. Both were ticky-tacky calls. We have 1:07 to go in the game. — Nguyen
Marching (9:19 p.m.): Washington converts on the fourth-and-inches. Two minutes to go. — Nguyen
Another punt (9:15 p.m.): Denver couldn't capitalize on the defense's stop. Three-and-out for the Broncos. It's all on the defense. Again. — Nguyen
Big break-up (9:08 p.m.): Alex Singleton with a HUMONGOUS play, knocking the pass out of Zach Ertz's hands. Denver's getting the ball back with the punt. A touchdown and this game's over. — Nguyen
Challenge (9:07 p.m.): Denver wins the challenge as Dondrea Tillman is credited with a sack for tripping Marcus Mariota. — Nguyen
Punt (9:01 p.m.): Denver has to rely on its defense. Again. Seven plays for 33 yards on that last drive. Almost an incredible punt by Jeremy Crawshaw. Lil'Jordan Humphrey couldn't keep his foot out of the end zone. — Nguyen
Big run (8:57 p.m.): Jaleel McLaughlin runs behind the line for a 13-yard gain. — Nguyen
Three-and-out (8:53 p.m.): Denver's defense stands tall again. It's up to the offense to try and build up this slim lead. — Nguyen
Three-and-out (8:48 p.m.): Can tell where Sean Payton thinks the Broncos' run game is currently.
Three straight drop-backs and Denver goes three-and-out after a Frankie Luvu sack. — Gabriel
Field goal, Commanders (8:41 p.m.): Denver's defense holds it to a 38-yard field goal for Washington. Broncos 20, Commanders 17 with 12:37 to go in the game. — Nguyen
Picked off (8:38 p.m.): With pressure bearing down him, Bo Nix throws a perfect pass to Washington's Bobby Wagner. Costly mistake this late in the game. — Nguyen
Bo Nix with a terrible pick there. Double-pumped and looked like he didn't see Bobby Wagner sitting right in front of Pat Bryant's route. But that throw had little chance either way. Nix immediately put his hands to his head. — Evans
Third-quarter thoughts — Broncos 20, Commanders 14
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Broncos are in a dogfight heading to the fourth quarter. What else is new?
Luca Evans, beat writer: Bo Nix's accuracy on the move — especially on cross-body throws — has been pretty impressive today relative to degree of difficulty. He's played well off-platform today and looks in a groove since the Chiefs game. That bodes well for the Broncos across the next couple months.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Bo Nix is having a night, completing 19 of 30 passes for 217 yards and 1 TD. He is 15-for-his-last 21 and went 8-for-9 in the uptempo drive before half. It is everything the Broncos need. But there is a lingering concern: Can they win this way against good teams, with Nix throwing 45 times?
Third-quarter updates
Offensive splits (8:31 p.m.): Denver's run 29 passing plays versus 17 running plays today. Bo Nix is 18 of 29 for 202 yards and a touchdown. Denver has 17 carries for 65 yards with RJ Harvey leading the way with nine for 27 yards and a score. — Nguyen
Defensive stand (8:29 p.m.): The Broncos defense held strong and allowed just 15 yards in five plays. Denver will start at its 14 after the punt. — Nguyen
Injury (8:25 p.m.): Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones is on the ground after that last play. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Broncos (8:18 p.m.): Second time's the charm. RJ Harvey runs left in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown. Eleven plays for 72 yards on the drive. Broncos 20, Commanders 14 with 3:59 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
Pat Bryant had terrific release on 21-yard slant reception. Then RJ Harvey crashes in for score. Broncos regain lead 20-14 with 3:59 left in third. Nix is 18-for-29 for 202 and 1 TD. His potential is on full display. But not going to win playoff games with Nix throwing 50 times. And the four times Drew Brees led the league in attempts with Sean Payton, Saints missed playoffs. It is a reminder that Denver needs some balance. -- Renck
Big gain (8:17 p.m.): Bo Nix finds Pat Bryant for a big 21-yard catch-and-run. Denver's knocking at the end zone now. — Nguyen
Third-down conversion (8:15 p.m.): Third-and-10? No problem. Bo Nix finds a wide-open Courtland Sutton for a 31-yard gain. —Nܲ
Run, Bo, run (8:11 p.m.): Third-and-8? No problem. Bo Nix picked up the blitz and scrambled for a 10-yard gain. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Commanders (8:05 p.m.): There wasn't much Riley Moss could've done more on that play. He was all over Treylon Burks, but the Washington receiver made an incredible one-handed catch in the back of the end zone. Ten plays for 72 yards on the drive. Commanders 14, Broncos 13 with 9:58 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
TREYLON BURKS JUST MADE AN INSANE CATCH.
DENvsWAS on NBC
Stream on + Peacock— NFL (@NFL)
Riley Moss in coverage and Treylon Burks makes Sunday's best catch, a leaping one-handed, right-handed stab as falling down. The Broncos brought Burks in for a workout earlier this season. Guessing he didn't do that in the workout. #Commanders lead 14-13 over #Broncos with 9:58 remaining in third. -- Renck
Riley Moss can't catch a break, man. He had terrific coverage on Treylon Burks in the back corner of the end zone and the former first-round WR and cast-off went up and made an insane one-handed catch anyway. — Gabriel
So good, it Ertz (8 p.m.): Denver's struggling against Washington tight end Zach Ertz, who has seven catches for 75 yards so far. — Nguyen
Halftime thoughts — Broncos 13, Commanders 7
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Bo Nix looks good in uptempo. Sprinkling more of it in will take on added importance if Broncos cannot solidify run game without JK Dobbins. Harvey had seven carries for 24 yards in first half. Defense showed elasticity. And delivered a turnover. Need to be better on third down. And play with more discipline. But 13-7 lead is serviceable. Not great. But OK.
Second-quarter updates
Touchdown, Broncos (7:38 p.m.): Bo Nix with a huge sidearm 11-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton. Ten plays for 64 yards on the drive. Broncos 13, Commanders 7 with 23 seconds left in the half. — Nguyen
Incredibly athletic play by Bo Nix. As he is falling down, knee an inch from turn, he sidearms ball to Sutton for TD. Broncos lead 13-7 with 23 seconds left in half. If Mahomes made that play, they would have stopped game and given him an ESPY on spot. I kid because I care. Just unreal throw. -- Renck
Bo Nix has just looked so comfortable all year in no-huddle situations. Was 8/9 for 64 yards and a TD on that drive. Broncos go to half up 13-7 on the Commanders. — Evans
Chemistry (7:37 p.m.): Since going 0-for-3, Bo Nix has found Evan Engram for three catches for 28 yards. — Nguyen
Finalliy (7:35 p.m.): Fourth time's the charm. Evan Engram with 13-yard catch. Then Bo Nix finds Courtland Sutton for a 12-yard catch. Denver's rolling. — Nguyen
No chemistry (7:33 p.m.): Bo Nix can't connect with Evan Engram today for some reason. Three targets, zero catches. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Commanders (7:25 p.m.): Chris Rodriguez Jr. goes up the middle for an 8-yard touchdown to give Washington the lead. Bad unnecessary roughness penalty on Nik Bonitto on the previous play set that right up. Eleven plays for 71 yards on the drive. Commanders 7, Broncos 6 with 2:21 to go in the half. — Nguyen
Just silly penalty by Bonitto. Allen blows up the play. And Bonitto gives Tyler Biadasz, who was crushed by Allen, the business by pulling on his facemask as he tries to get up. Laremy Tunsil threw Bonitto to the ground. And Bonitto gets penalty. Put the ball on 8-yard line. Chris Rodriguez scores on next play. We keep saying Broncos' penalties are going to bite them. They did on that drive. Washington leads 7-6 with 2:21 left in half. -- Renck
Riley Moss on the extra point snap for the Broncos, so no injury.
Denver just rolling with Kris Abrams-Draine on that drive. Very interesting. — Gabriel
Where's Riley? (7:18 p.m.): Iteresting that Riley Moss is not in the game on this series. Kris Abrams-Draine at corner. Moss is standing behind Vance Joseph, cheering on teammates with. helmet in hand. Wonder if plan was to work KAD in more ... or if there is an open competition at the spot. -- Renck
Near turnover (7:17 p.m.): Nik Bonitto is fast. Really fast if you're not trying to block him. Marcus Mariota tried a lateral that wasn't handled well. But Washington fell on the ball. — Nguyen
Suttonless (7:14 p.m.): Bo Nix has thrown the ball 14 times through two drives and Courtland Sutton still doesn't have a target. Sutton came in with 19 targets in his last six games. — Evans
Field goal, Broncos (7:11 p.m.): Another 33-yard field goal for Wil Lutz. Thirteen plays for 56 yards on that drive. Broncos 6, Commanders 0 with 7:51 to go in the first half. — Nguyen
Playcalling (7:08 p.m.): Feels like the Broncos have run the sprint right a lot in short yardage and low red spots this year.
Nice wrinkle there to have the play-fake but multiple options working the back side in Trautman and Franklin. — Garbiel
Fourth-down attempt (7:06 p.m.): You cannot stop Adam Trautman. You can only hope to contain him. — Gabriel
Bo Nix finds Adam Trautman on fourth-and-1, who does a nifty spin move to gain 22 yards before being pushed out of bounds by Colorado's own Jacob Martin. — Nguyen
Trautman broke a tackle and sidestepped a defenders for 22 yard gain. Bonitto, Jones and Roach first to greet him on the sideline. Roach nearly got a penalty for coming onto the field. But the play showed the collegiate togetherness of this team. -- Renck
Nik Bonitto sprinted all the way down the sideline to celebrate with Adam Trautman after that spin move. — Evans
Third-down conversion (7:04 p.m.): Adam Prentice rumbles up the gut for a 3-yard gain on third-and-1. — Nguyen
Picked (7:01 p.m.): Marcus Mariota's pass is picked off by Dre Greenlaw, who returns it 27 yards to the Denver 34. — Nguyen
Marcus Mariota had plenty of opportunities to run. He looked frazzled. Froze and threw ball up for grabs as DJ Jones smashed him. Dre Greenlaw picked it off near the goal line. That was an early Christmas gift. -- Renck
First-quarter thoughts — Broncos 3, Commanders 0
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos clearly look like the better outfit through the first quarter, but if there's a way to let a bad team hang around, it's by doing things like going three-and-out and allowing third-and-12 rushes to bust for 16 yards.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos defense struggling to get off field on third down, allowing 3 of 4 conversions. Gotta get run game going offensively to create easy completions. Nix is 4-for-9 for 48 yards. Mariota is 6-9 for 35 yards.
First-quarter updates
Nearly picked (6:54 p.m.): Alex Singleton deflects Marcus Mariota's pass. Great seeing him back on the field. — Nguyen
Three-and-out (6:49 p.m.): Not a good second drive for Denver. — Nguyen
Broncos O-line did not drape itself in glory on that drive. An ugly three-and-out. -- Renck
Rough sequence for the left side of Denver's OL on that possession.
LG Alex Palczewski got beat by Eddie Goldman on the second-down run and then Garett Bolles gave up a quick pressure to Preston Smith on third-and-long. — Gabriel
Huge play (6:44 p.m.): Big breakup by Riley Moss to kill the deep pass. Washington has to punt. — Nguyen
Riley Moss showed better recovery technique on pass down sideline. Got head turned around and made play on the ball without making early contact. Forces Washington punt. -- Renck
apB Riley Moss did practice work wearing boxing gloves this week and it paid off there. Perfect technique to break up a deep ball to Jaylin Lane on third-and-8. — Gabriel
Blueprint (6:43 p.m.): Washington following KC blueprint with QB getting the ball out quickly. Some play action. quick hitters. With Mariota sitting in pocket, Broncos fail to get pressure and Pat Surtain II flagged for PI on McLaurin. -- Renck
Run game (6:36 p.m.): Will Broncos stay committed to run with RJ Harvey. Not only does Denver need to win, but leaving this game with more clarity at running back is important. -- Renck
Redo (6:36 p.m.): Lucky break for the Commanders. Broncos got dinged with an illegal formation on the kickoff. Washington will start at its own 21-yard line. — Nguyen
Not a good start for Washington (6:35 p.m.): That was an ugly kickoff return. Washington starts at its own 10. — Nguyen
Field goal, Broncos (6:32 p.m.): Wil Lutz nails a 33-yard field goal to get Denver on the board. It caps an 11-play, 59-yard drive. Broncos 3, Commanders 0 with 10:28 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen
So 11 plays, 59 yards and four first downs for the Broncos on their opening possession, but they settle for three points.
Bo Nix: 3/7 for 43 yards. RJ Harvey ran three times for 16. — Gabriel
Driving (6:30 p.m.): A check down pass to Tyler Badie worked for arguably the first time this year, converts a third down. A long pass to Franklin has Broncos in red zone on first possession. -- Renck
Colorado connections (6:28 p.m.): In the NBC broadcast, Washington defensive end and Colorado native Jacob Martin gave a shout out to his alma matar Cherokee Trail High School. — Nguyen
Under center (6:28 p.m.): QB Bo Nix under center for Denver's first four offensive plays tonight. Interesting. — Gabriel
Another first down (6:27 p.m.): Bo Nix finds Adam Trautman on second-and-10 for a 13-yard gain. — Nguyen
Huge run (6:25 p.m.): The Broncos opened with a nice run by rookie RJ Harvey, who runs up the gut for a 10-yard gain. — Nguyen
Coin toss (6:22 p.m.): Washington wins toss and defers. -- Renck
Pre-game updates
Captains (6:22 p.m.): Broncos game captains tonight: QB Bo Nix, S Talanoa Hufanga and ILB Alex Singleton. — Gabriel
Weather conditions as we approach kickoff (5:55 p.m.): 34 degrees with 13 mph wind. Not horrible. But not comfortable. -- Renck
Leftovers (5:36 p.m.): Had plenty of leftovers from my Von Miller interview. I asked him multiple times about finishing his career with the Broncos. "I would love to go back to Denver. But there’s a lot of things I would love. I would love to be a billionaire. The reality of it is that George Paton has a done a great job with the roster with nice young talent all over the place. The oldest guy on the team is Marcedes Lewis, right? They are 9-2. Not like they need a veteran presence to tell them about the Super Bowl back in the day." Von definitely wants to play one more season with a goal of getting eight more sacks from over this year and next. -- Renck
Gameday staples (5:25 p.m.): Owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton-Penner have made their way onto the field for the end of pregame warmups. They never miss a game. -- Renck
Color scheme (4:55 p.m.): Broncos look like a traffic pylon in their orange tops, orange trousers for the primetime affair. It is cold. First cold game of the season. Catch a break with no rain. Last year that caused major issues for Bo Nix throwing at Jets. -- Renck
Inactives (4:53 p.m.): Talanoa Hufanga is officially active after being questionable with an illness that popped up this morning.
Inactives:
- TE Nate Adkins (knee)
- OLB Jonah Elliss (hamstring)
- DL Jordan Jackson
- DL Sai'Vion Jones
- OL Geron Christian
— Gabriel
Hello from a very chilly Northwest Stadium in... Maryland, I guess (4:52 p.m.): No rain recently but it's in the upper 30s and breezy for the Broncos' primetime game against Washington. — Gabriel
Scouting report (10:45 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Commanders in Luca Evans' scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, Broncos writer: Broncos 25, Commanders 13
Denver’s riding high coming off the bye week and reinforcements are on the way. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Sean Payton’s team came out humming and hammered Washington. At the same time, there’s a nagging feeling about traveling to the East Coast for primetime off a long layoff and the chance for a sluggish start. Really, the only thing that would actually be a stunner: Denver losing.
Luca Evans, Broncos writer: Broncos 31, Commanders 10
The scent of a primetime blowout is wafting across Sunday nightap matchup, stronger than turkey fresh out of the oven. The Commanders’ offense has looked repeatedly helpless in recent weeks, and now gets to stare down one of the best defensive lines in the league fresh off a bye. The Commanders’ defense has been so hapless that head coach Dan Quinn took over as the play-caller. Book it.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 27, Commanders 13
Sean Payton beats bad teams. It is what he does, and has done so since arriving in Denver. Washington stinks. After reaching the NFC Championship game, the Commanders have aged in dog years. They are old and slow, and Jayden Daniels can’t rescue them. Look for Bo Nix to get his fix of deep passes as Denver cruises to its ninth straight win.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 23, Commanders 18
The Penners are passing contract extensions around like cranberry relish, and the chase for the AFC’s No. 1 seed is officially on. Good thing Sean Payton is 7-1 coming off his last eight bye weeks. And Jayden Daniels? Hold ’em, my man. Fold ’em. Walk away. Run. This is not the defense to try to get right against. Trust us.
Broncos-Commanders NFL Week 13: Must-reads
Cleared after cancer diagnosis, Broncos’ Alex Singleton has a new lease on football
On Nov. 3, doctors told Singleton that the cancer was curable. So he told them -- and those in his circle that knew the diagnosis — that he would play in that Thursday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Singleton didn’t know, then, if the cancer had spread. If it was elsewhere in his body. If it was elsewhere in his brain. If he’d have to undergo chemotherapy. He was aware that Nov. 6 might be the last football game he would ever play.
If it was the last ride, Singleton was going out on his own terms. Read Luca Evans' story.
Broncos QB Bo Nix’s latest point of emphasis: Command and communication between snaps
In search of incremental improvement as Denver rolls toward a stretch run with major consequences for not only potentially an AFC West division title but also the No. 1 overall seed in the conference, quarterback Bo Nix has set about trying to find little areas to hone his game.
Lately he’s been trying to refine how he operates and communicates between snaps and believes there’s forward momentum to be found in those 30 or so seconds between each play. Read Parker Gabriel's story.
Renck: Bo Nix-Sean Payton connection will answer biggest question: Are Broncos a Super Bowl team?
These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses. The Broncos perch atop the AFC West with a 9-2 record. The No. 1 postseason seed, while complicated by a schedule tougher than New England’s, remains in reach. Everything apountry wanted has returned.
Well, not everything. There is the issue of the red dot on the cashmere sweater. Are Bo Nix and Sean Payton back in sync? Read Troy Renck's column.
