Commanders losing streak hits 7 in heartbreaking fashion with overtime loss to Broncos

The Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos traded scores and highlight-worthy plays on Sunday night in a back-and-forth, overtime affair that ultimately ended with Washington’s losing streak extended to seven games. 

The Commanders lost 27-26 after a failed two-point conversion attempt that would’ve given them a win over a tie. Quarterback Marcus Mariota’s potential game-winning pass was batted down in the backfield by Denver’s Nik Bonitto. 

Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin, in his first game back from a quad injury, scored an overtime touchdown that narrowed the Broncos’ lead to 1. McLaurin ultimately caught seven passes for 96 yards in a losing effort.

The Broncos had opened the overtime period with an efficient five-play,76-yard drive that resulted in a five-yard go-ahead touchdown run by rookie running back RJ Harvey.

Both teams entered the primetime affair after a bye week with eyes on their respective streaks. Denver had won eight in a row. Washington had lost six consecutively as its season circled the drain. 

But the Commanders’ last game — a loss to the Miami Dolphins in Madrid — featured signs of life for the struggling club. The defense stepped up again in the defeat. 

Coach Dan Quinn’s Commanders hung around for more than 60 minutes. After the Broncos opened the scoring with a pair of first-quarter field goals, Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez responded with an eight-yard touchdown run that saw him bounce off a would-be tackler.

Nix and the Broncos responded with a pristine two-minute drill that culminated in the unlikely touchdown pass to receiver Courtland Sutton as he was tackled. The NFL’s Next Gen Stats estimated that the pass had a 30.8% completion probability. 

Nix completed on 29 of his 45 pass attempts for 321 yards, tossing one touchdown and an interception.

The Broncos took a 13-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

Not to be outdone, the Commanders opened the second half with their second touchdown drive of the game, with Treylon Burks’ sensational catch capping the drive. 

The jaw-dropping snag was Burks’ first score as a Commander and the second touchdown catch of his career. The former first-round pick hadn’t caught a score since Dec. 4, 2022. 

The grab immediately drew comparisons to a similar catch by New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., which also came on a Sunday night game during the 2014 season.  

But the Commanders’ defensive momentum sputtered. A strong opening slowed down as the Broncos scored on three consecutive drives in the second and third quarters, as Denver running back R.J. Harvey took a one-yard run into the end zone for a touchdown. The Broncos regained the advantage, holding a 20-14 advantage at the start of the fourth quarter.

Washington needed a spark from its defenders. 

They got it. Three plays into the final frame of regulation, Nix fired a pass directly into the belly of Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner. The veteran intercepted the throw, allowing Washington to kick a field goal that narrowed the Denver lead to just three points. 

Just like that, Washington had new life. The defense maintained its form, forcing a three-and-out. After the two teams traded punts throughout the fourth quarter, Mariota had a chance to lead Washington on a game-winning drive with three minutes remaining.

But a false start penalty by receiver Terry McLaurin and an intentional grounding call on Mariota led to a pair of ten-second runoffs that threatened the drive. But McLaurin gained 19 yards on a third-and-25. Tight end Zach Ertz, who caught a game-high 10 passes for 106 yards, converted the subsequent fourth-down attempt. 

Washington marched into Denver territory as Mariota consistently found open receivers. 

Kicker Jake Moody, in his first game with Washington, kicked a game-tying field goal as time expired in regulation.

But Washington’s defense couldn’t hold up in overtime. Denver was able to quickly score a touchdown to take a final lead. 

And while the Commanders’ offense responded with a touchdown drive of their own, they fell short on the failed two-point conversion. 

Mariota, who was starting in place of the injured Jayden Daniels, went 28-of-50 with 294 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He was also Washington’s leading rusher, scampering for 55 yards on a combination of designed runs and scrambles. 

The Commanders are now 3-9, a guaranteed losing record for the disastrous season. They return to action on Sunday against the Vikings in Minnesota.