The Denver Broncos outlasted the Washington Commanders 27-26 in overtime Sunday night at Northwest Stadium, capping a closer-than-expected contest with a decisive defensive stand. Denver orchestrated a five-play, 76-yard touchdown drive to open the extra period, then sealed the victory by breaking up Washington's two-point conversion attempt.

The win pushed Denver to 10-2 and extended their winning streak to nine consecutive games. Washington fell to 3-9 with their seventh straight loss.

Denver's Defense Returns, Delivers in Clutch

The Broncos got back two of their defensive leaders for Sunday's contest. All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II returned after missing three games with a partially torn pectoral muscle, while veteran linebacker Alex Singleton suited up for the first time since recovering from testicular cancer surgery. The pair combined for three pass breakups, a quarterback hit, and 10 tackles.

Despite the high-profile returns, Denver's defense surrendered 419 yards—the second-most allowed all season. Washington scored 26 points, the most Denver has surrendered since Week 7. But when it mattered most, the Broncos' defense clamped down, breaking up the game-winning two-point attempt.

The real problem lies on the other side of the ball. Denver's offense left multiple opportunities on the field in regulation. Quarterback Bo Nix threw an ugly interception to open the fourth quarter, then the Broncos punted on three straight drives as the game slipped toward overtime.

While Denver occupies a strong position for a top-two AFC seed, the offense remains inconsistent. Outside of a 44-point explosion against Dallas in Week 8, the Broncos have shown little ability to sustain offensive drives for a full 60 minutes. Their rushing attack remains anemic—just 87 yards against Washington, marking the third straight game held under 90 rushing yards.

Commanders Find Formula (Too Late)

Washington didn't have the playbook for slowing Denver's elite pass rush, but they came close. Through two quarters, Broncos defenders failed to record a sack or even a quarterback hit on Marcus Mariota. The veteran quarterback got the ball out quickly, while tailback Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s effective running game neutralized Denver's dominant defensive front, which entered Week 13 leading the NFL in both sacks and pressure rate.

The scheme worked in stretches, though not enough to secure the victory. Mariota was sacked twice with six quarterback hits total.

Darius Burks, the 2022 first-round pick acquired by Washington in October seeking redemption after his unsuccessful Titans tenure, made one of the catches of the season. The fourth-year receiver hauled in a one-handed grab while falling backward near the back corner of the end zone, "Mossing" Broncos cornerback Riley Moss in the process. The grab resembled Odell Beckham Jr.'s iconic sideline catch against Dallas in 2014—and it marked only the second touchdown of Burks' career.

What's Next

Denver closes their two-game road trip against the struggling Raiders (2-10) next week before facing a gauntlet of playoff contenders: Packers, Jaguars, Chiefs, and Chargers.

Washington hits the road for matchups against Minnesota and New York before finishing with three division games to close out 2025.