The Washington Commanders overcame a poor defensive start and a poor defensive finish beating the Denver Broncos 35-33 before 76,108 heartbroken fans at Empower Field at Mile High.
Down 21-3 in the second quarter Washington outscored the Broncos 32-3 to take a 35-24 lead.
The Broncos then engineered a 15-play 45-yard drive that ended with a 32-yard made field goal and the score was 35-27 with 1:53 to play in the game.
The Commanders defense that had come back to life after the early offensive explosion by the Broncos just needed to keep Denver out of the endzone to secure the thrilling comeback.
But nothing was easy for Washington this game. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has his team at the 50-yard line with .03 seconds to play in the game.
Known as one of the better deep passers in the NFL, Wilson dropped back and with no time left on the clock launched his 50-yard Hail Mary pass to the endzone.
The Commanders defenders leaped to deflect the ball but it bounced around and somehow ended up in the arms of a Denver receiver for a touchdown.
Fortunately for Washington the Broncos needed a two-point conversion to tie the game and the try failed. At last, the Commanders having overcome a big deficit, and a completed Hail Mary pass were able to walk off the field winners improving to (2-0).
The thrilling comeback was led by Washington quarterback Sam Howell who was 27 for 39 for 299 yards and two touchdowns.
His 4-yard scoring pass to tight end Logan Thomas with 1:47 to go in the second quarter made the score 21-11 as their 2-point conversion attempt was good.
He also orchestrated an 8-play 56-yard drive ending in a Joey Slye 49-yard successful field goal making the score a much more manageable 21-14 at the half.
His 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Terry McLaurin, landing beautifully in his hands between two defenders tied the score at 21-21 with 11:47 to go in the third quarter and the comeback was complete.
Washington running back Brian Robinson Jr. also had an impactful game gaining 87 yards on 18 carries, averaging nearly five yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns.
His two-yard touchdown run up the middle was part of a 6-play 78-yard drive that gave the Commanders a 28-24 lead with 13:25 to go in the game.
He crossed the goal line again this time from 15 yards out and the score was Washington 35 Denver 24 with 7:11 to go in the game setting up the exciting finish.
McLaurin was Washington’s leading receiver with five receptions for 54 yards and one touchdown.
The game statistics were nearly even as the total yards were 388 to 399 in favor of Denver and the passing yards of 308 to 299 also favored the Broncos and the rushing yards of 122 were the same for both teams. Fortunately for Commander fans the score favored Washington.
The Commanders defensive leaders were first round rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes who snagged his first NFL interception. The defensive front was a factor recording seven sacks led my Montez Sweat and Chase Young, back in the starting lineup, who both had 1.5 sacks. Linebacker Cody Barton led the team with 10 tackles.
The Broncos were led by Wilson who went 18 for 32 for 308 yards including three scoring passes and one interception.
He also led the team in rushing with 56 yards on six carries. Running back Javonte Williams gained 44 yards on 12 carries.
Denver was led in receiving by rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. who had two catches for 113 yards including a 60-yard touchdown reception. He also had a 45-yard punt return in a losing effort for the (0-2) Broncos.
