If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >

Broncos vs. Commanders final score, result: Denver claims OT win in 'Sunday Night Football' slugfest

David Suggs

•
Broncos vs. Commanders final score, result: Denver claims OT win in 'Sunday Night Football' slugfest image

JUMP TO:

On paper, the Broncos and Commanders' Week 13 clash shaped up to be one of the more underwhelming primetime matchups this season. Fortunately, games aren't played on paper.

Denver and Washington jousted like prizefighters, with each side enjoying moments of bliss and madness. When the dust settled, the Broncos emerged victorious, claiming a 27-26 overtime win over their lowly opposition. But the Commanders arguably were the more impressive of the two teams, showcasing craft and guile not befitting of a 3-9 side that has lost six straight games.

The game was decided in its final moments. Washington saw off death on multiple occasions, from turning third-and-25 to a first down in the fourth quarter to being aided by a pass interference call on an errant fourth down attempt in OT. Marcus Mariota found Terry McLaurin for a would-be equalizing touchdown after RJ Harvey found the end zone to start the extra period. But Washington head coach Dan Quinn sent his offense back on the field, hoping it could produce magic one more time against a Denver unit that entered the outing as one of football's most dangerous rearguards.

WATCH: Broncos vs. Commanders LIVE with Peacock

Mariota dropped back to pass and had Jeremy McNichols wide open as the result of a pick play. All he needed was to evade the Broncos' pass rush and the Commanders would have scored a momentous win.

But Mariota couldn't clear Nik Bonnito. The Denver star swatted Mariota's effort like a gnat on a summer day. It wasn't the most impressive display for the Broncos, who moved to 10-2 with the result. But wins count all the same — even ones that come in unexpected ways.

AllSportsPeople tracked live updates of the Week 13 iteration of "Sunday Night Football" between Denver and Washington. Below are highlights, analysis and more from one of the most captivating contests of the Week 13 slate.

MORE WEEK 13 NFL:

Broncos vs. Commanders score

 

NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule

Broncos vs. Commanders updates, results, highlights from Week 13 'Sunday Night Football'

(All times ET.)

End of overtime: Broncos 27, Commanders 26

12:01 a.m.: FAILED TWO-POINT CONVERSION!  The Commanders had the look on McNichols. But Nik Bonitto makes a leaping stop, swatting the ball away to deliver Denver's 10th win of the season.

Broncos 27, Commanders 26

11:59 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!  Mariota hits McLaurin again, this time on the pick play. The Commanders are going for two!

11:55 p.m.:  Another Mariota dot, this one falling in Deebo Samuel's grasp! The Commanders are on Denver's one-yard line!

11:53 p.m.: Washington thought it found an equalizer in the form of Mariota's toss to McLaurin! However, Josh Conerly was flagged for holding. We'll do it again.

11:51 p.m.: PASS INTERFERENCE!  Denver appeared to seal a win with a game-ending interception. However. Hufanga was flagged for pass interference! The Commanders get a new set of downs to work with.

11:50 p.m.:  Jahdae Barrett deflects Mariota's pass away. The Commanders are down to their last...down.

11:47 p.m.:  Washington collects 20 courtesy of Mariota and McLaurin's latest connection. Strong start to what could be its final drive.

11:45 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!  Harvey grabs his second score of the day as Denver strikes first in overtime!

Broncos 27, Commanders 20

11:44 p.m.:  Nix finds Evan Engram, who rumbles down the plain for 41 yards! Denver is inside Washington's 10!

11:40 p.m.:  Denver starts the extra period with possession of the ball.

End of fourth quarter: Broncos 20, Commanders 20

11:35 p.m.: FIELD GOAL!  Moody knots things with a 32-yard chip shot. We're headed to overtime.

Broncos 20, Commanders 20

11:33 p.m.:  Mariota gets the first down on the QB draw! More importantly, he somehow gets out of bounds to stop the clock! Washington is inside the red zone with 12 seconds left. No timeouts.

11:29 p.m.: FIRST DOWN!  The Commanders move the chains on fourth down! They gobbled up yardage courtesy of an impressive pitch-and-catch between Mariota and McLaurin. Then, Mariota found Ertz to keep Washington alive.

11:27 p.m.:  A pair of contentious penalties — one on a phantom false start, the other on an intentional grounding that never was — has Washington in a hold on third-and-25.

11:19 p.m.:  The Commanders move the chains once more, this time on fourth-and-one. They're making progress as the two-minute warning washes over proceedings.

11:17 p.m.:  Mariota races around the bend to move the chains on second down. Washington gets four more downs to work with as it attempts to level the score.

11:15 p.m.:  The Commanders get another stop! They'll get the ball back with three minutes to go!

11:08 p.m.:  A near-perfect throw by Mariota to Ertz threatened to put Washington in Denver territory. But Alex Singleton, the man making his first start after having surgery to remove a tumor from his testicles, rips the ball away to bring out the punt unit! What a play!

11:01 p.m.:  Washington gets the stop! With five minutes left, we'll see if the Commanders can make something happen.

10:59 p.m.:  Denver's attack has looked a bit toothless at times. Wagner and Co. Have it on the ropes — facing third-and-long with just a three-point advantage in its possession.

10:48 p.m.:  Washington's defense continues to impress as of late. Nix was cut down behind the line of scrimmage by Frankie Luvu as the Broncos are forced into yet another punt. The Commanders will have a chance to level the score on their next offensive possession — or take the lead.

10:42 p.m.: FIELD GOAL!  Denver holds Washington to a field goal as Mariota is unable to find McLaurin on third down.

Broncos 20, Commanders 17

10:36 p.m.: INTERCEPTION!  Washington starts the final frame with a takeaway! Nix failed to look off Bobby Wagner, who proceeded to nab an easy catch to set up the Commanders in Broncos territory.

End of third quarter: Broncos 20, Commanders 14

10:18 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!  Nix's brilliance brought the Broncos inside the red zone. RJ Harvey's hard running results in a score. The Denver tailback climbs into pay dirt from short-range to push the Broncos back in front.

Broncos 20, Commanders 14

10:15 p.m.:  It hasn't been a highlight-laden game for Denver's attack thus far. But Nix has been effective, all told. He has completed 17-of-28 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown so far. He also has 16 rushing yards, the second-most within the Broncos' ranks.

10:05 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!  On a day filled with impressive catches, Treylon Burks fielded the pick of the bunch. Washington's wideout climbed the ladder to collect Mariota's back-shoulder fade. Using one hand, Burks leapt far to give Washington the lead. It wasn't quite Odell Beckham Jr.'s grab vs. The Cowboys. But it wasn't too far out of the ballpark, either.

Commanders 14, Broncos 13

10:00 p.m.:  Washington continues to impress on the offensive end. Mariota linked up with Zach Ertz for a pair of lengthy gains before racing down the field to bring the Commanders deep into Broncos' territory. What a start to the second half for the Commanders!

End of second quarter: Broncos 13, Commanders 7

9:35 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!  Nix evades pressure, finding Courtland Sutton for an 11-yard score! The Broncos hurler looked dead to rights behind the line of scrimmage. But as he fell to the ground, he fired a fastball to an open Sutton. Denver takes the lead with a flourish.

Broncos 13, Commanders 7

9:25 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!  Rodriguez bursts through the mire, surging through contact to take his place in the end zone!  The Commanders take the lead!

Commanders 7, Broncos 6

9:19 p.m.:  Mariota's interception notwithstanding, Washington's offense has looked fairly competent against Denver's renowned defense. A pair of chunk plays to Zach Ertz and McLaurin has the Commanders just outside the Broncos' 10-yard line.

9:12 p.m.: FIELD GOAL!  The Broncos' offense started to gash Washington's rearguard via a diet of short passes and runs. But they weren't able to go all the way. Sean Payton's side settles for a field goal to double its advantage.

Broncos 6, Commanders 0

9:02 p.m.: INTERCEPTION!  After traipsing inside of dangerous territory, Marcus Mariota baffingly attempts a jump pass towards Chris Rodriguez, who was swamped in double coverage. The subsequent pass fell into Dre Greenlaw's hands, spelling a sudden end to what looked a promising Washington drive.

End of first quarter: Broncos 3, Commanders 0

8:57 p.m.:  Washington's attack has found some success in the early moments of the game. Jeremy McNichols was the latest Commander to make his presence felt at Northwest Stadium, evading Talanoa Hufanga's grasp via spin before gobbling down the field for 16 yards. Washington will start the second quarter just outside the red zone. 

8:45 p.m.:  Denver's defense stiffened up after Washington climbed into its territory, forcing a Tress Way punt as a result.

8:35 p.m.: FIELD GOAL!  Denver opens its scoring account with a field goal courtesy of a Will Lutz. Solid opening drive for the Broncos' attack, who drove down the field with relative ease.

Broncos 3, Commanders 0

8:25 p.m.:  And we're off! Washington defers, so the Broncos will start the game with possession of the ball.

8:05 p.m.:  Terry McLaurin will also make his long-awaited return to the field, having been sidelined for Washington's last three games with a quadriceps injury. He has quite the matchup in the form of Surtain, the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year winner.

7:45 p.m.:  There is plenty of excitement within Denver's ranks. One reason for the joy? Patrick Surtain II is back in action after missing a month with a partially torn pectoral muscle.

Here he is embracing the traveling Denver faithful during warmups.

7:30 p.m.:  Here's a look at the Broncos and Commanders' inactives ahead of tonight's contest.

Where to watch Broncos vs. Commanders

    Broncos vs. Commanders start time

    • Date: Sunday, November 30
    • Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET

    Kickoff for "Sunday Night Football" between the Broncos and the Commanders is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

    What channel is Broncos vs. Commanders on today?

    • Date: Sunday, November 30
    • TV channel: NBC
    • Live stream: Peacock

    "Sunday Night Football" between the Broncos and the Commanders will air on NBC. Mike Tirico will handle the play-by-play with Cris Collinsworth serving as the color commentator. Collinsworth makes his return to the broadcast booth after taking off NBC's game on Thanksgiving between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens. 

    Cord-cutters can watch "Sunday Night Football" on Peacock.

    MORE: Dolphins HC Mike McDaniels says Dan Quinn guided him through sobriety

    Broncos remaining schedule

    WeekOpponent
    14at Raiders
    15vs. Packers
    16vs. Jaguars
    17at Chiefs
    18at Chargers

    MORE: Ranking the best Broncos of all time

    Commanders remaining schedule

    WeekOpponent
    14at Vikings
    15at Giants
    16vs. Eagles
    17vs. Cowboys
    18at Eagles

    MORE:  Ranking the greatest Commanders of all time

    Content Producer

    Senior Editor