The 9-2 Denver Broncos played the 3-8 Washington Commanders in Week 13 on “Sunday Night Football.” The game was 13-7 Broncos at halftime. While both teams had 12 first downs apiece in the first half, the Broncos were three of seven on third down, and the Commanders were four of five. That said, Nix did enough to extend the winning streak to nine games.
Bo Nix on Autopilot
As predicted, Nix, No. 17 in PFSN’s QB Impact Score, didn’t have to do much. At halftime, he was 15-of-24 for 146 yards, a touchdown, 6.1 yards per attempt, and a 93.4 passer rating. Heading into Week 13, the Commanders’ defense allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game — and No. 30 in PFSN’s Defense Impact Score.
Even after an interception at the beginning of the fourth quarter to set up the Commanders’ offense with a short field, the Denver defense bailed out Nix by only allowing a field goal. It never felt like the Broncos would lose in Week 13.
Nix connected on a crucial third-and-eight conversion with less than eight minutes left in the game. The drive ends in a punt, but the Broncos are able to pin the Commanders at their 20-yard line. Broncos 20-17 with four minutes and 42 seconds left. The Broncos’ defense came up with a crucial sack on second and nine to make it third and 21. The Commanders ended up punting, but the Broncos went three and out.
Commanders’ offense, meanwhile, totaled an 18-play, 71-yard drive that lasted three minutes to tie the game with a field goal as time expired. On to overtime. Nix took control in overtime for the win. He led a five-play, 76-yard touchdown drive that lasted three minutes and one second. The Commanders’ offense matched the touchdown for the cypher, but didn’t convert the two-point conversion. Broncos win 27-26. Nix’s final stat line is below.
29-of-45 for 321 yards, 671 yards per attempt, one touchdown, an interception, and an 83.7 passer rating.
Broncos’ offense officially a pass-first scheme. The subtle shift is complete.
Run Game Missing J.K. Dobbins
At halftime, the Broncos totaled 11 carries for 39 yards (3.5 yards per carry). Running back RJ Harvey, though, No. 53 in PFSN’s RB Impact Score, totaled seven carries for 24 yards. Heading into Week 13, the Broncos’ offense totaled the 12th-most rushing yards per game, so this week is a dissapointment.
Harvey salvaged his day with a touchdown. Through three quarters, he pushed his numbers up to nine carries for 27 yards with two receptions for 15 yards. All told, Harvey totaled 16 touches for 62 yards — 13 carries for 35 yards, three receptions for 27 yards. The next running back had seven touches.
Courtland Sutton Retakes No. 1 WR Role
Through three quarters, Sutton totaled three receptions on as many targets for 54 yards and a touchdown. He had an impressive touchdown reception to cap off a 10-play, 64-yard drive that lasted a minute and 58 seconds to end the first half — and another 31-yard reception down the left sideline to start the second half. The latter catch was a part of an 11-play, 72-yard touchdown drive that lasted five minutes and 59 seconds.
Sutton, meanwhile, was second among the Broncos’ pass catchers in yards wth 62 behind tight end Evan Engram (79). Sutton was second in receptions with five, behind Engram as well (six). That said, Sutton’s yardage and receptions led all wide receivers.
Denver Defense Stout
Through three quarters, the Broncos’ defense totaled a sack, an interception, and held the Commanders’ offense to under 15 points. Talanoa Hufanga totaled two tackles for loss, Jonaton Cooper totaled a tackle for loss, Nik Bonitto totaled a tackle for loss, and Que Robinson totaled a tackle for loss up to that point. Dondrea Tillman added a tackle for loss in the fourth quarter as well.
All told, the Broncos’ defense allowed 20 points through four quarters, recording eight tackles for loss. With the win, the Broncos’ odds to win the AFC West jumped from 84.8% to 89.8%. On to Week 14.
