Nick Bonito deflected a Marcus Mariota pass in overtime to deny Washington the game-winning two-point conversion as the Denver Broncos held on for their ninth straight victory, a 27-26 thriller over the Commanders on Sunday night.
After Denver’s RJ Harvey ran for a touchdown on the first possession of overtime, Mariota drove the Commanders down the field, aided by a pass interference penalty, connecting with Terry McClaurin for a touchdown.
Commander coach Dan Quinn gave it two, but Bonito jumped and knocked the ball down to seal the thrilling victory.
The win improved the Broncos to 10-2 and kept them in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
Bo Nix threw for 321 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Broncos, who have won eight one-score games.
“We didn’t run away. We won,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “A good team’s season journey includes games like this. And then you believe you can do it again.”
Washington, meanwhile, now has back-to-back overtime losses as part of a seven-game losing streak.
For the Commanders (3-9), the woeful defense has shown signs of improvement in the two games since coach Dan Quinn took over from coordinator Joe Witt Jr.
“I was pleased with the running game — this is a team that was able to get to the edge, which is something we haven’t done either,” Quinn said.
“There has been progress, certainly in the running game, and we have a lot of room to grow in that.”
“I hate the outcome, but I love the fight and where we are.
Catch of the year?
Washington Commanders receiver Treylon Burks (13) was probably the best catch of the year
The game also featured one of the more spectacular NFL touchdowns in recent memory when Treylon Burks made a one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone.
It was Burks’ second career touchdown and first since 2022, and it drew the delight of NBC commentator Chris Collinsworth, who compared it to Odell Beckham Jr.’s famous one-handed catch during a Sunday night game in 2014.
Burks wears No. 13, Beckham’s number with the Giants. Beckham took notice, posting “13 13” on social media.
Burks brushed off the noise, saying, “For me, it was just a game for the team, honestly. I’m not a guy who’s going to sit and scroll on the Internet. I kind of stay away from that.”
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Remember Odell Beckham Jr.’s legendary one-handed catch for the New York Giants against the Dallas Cowboys on November 23, 2014.
The Broncos remain on the road to face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14.
Denver plays three of its last four games at home, starting with back-to-back home games against current playoff teams in Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers and Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
They then travel to face the Kansas City Chiefs in a Week 17 Christmas Day game at Arrowhead Stadium before finishing the regular season against the Los Angeles Chargers at home in Week 18.
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