Commander Country

Commanders vs. Broncos Live Updates: Washington Completes 18-Point Comeback to Start 2-0

Can the Washington Commanders start 2-0 for the first time since 2011 with a win over the Denver Broncos?

Nathaniel Marrero

In this story:

It's been 12 years since the Washington Commanders opened their season with two straight wins. 

Will this be the year they snap that streak? The Commanders face a tall task on Sunday when they head on the road to face the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High at 4:25 p.m. ET. 

Washington opened its season on Sept. 10 with a 20-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field. The Broncos opened the Sean Payton era with a narrow 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Howell
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera and Payton have a history of coaching against each other from their time in the NFC South. Rivera was the Carolina Panthers' head coach from 2011 to 2019, while Payton was at the helm for the New Orleans Saints from 2006 to 2021. 

Rivera is 6-11 all-time against Payton. 

If Washington is going to find more success on offense, it'll have to do a better job of keeping Sam Howell upright. The second-year quarterback was sacked six times, one of which led to a fumble and touchdown for the Cardinals.

Denver's defense didn't have a single sack against Jimmy Garoppolo. 

Both teams will get a boost with key players returning from injuries. Chase Young will make his 2023 debut for the Commanders after missing last week with a stinger. Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy will also play for the first time after missing Week 1 with a hamstring injury. 

Here's a list of inactives ...

Commanders

DE K.J. Henry

OT Trent Scott

OL Chris Paul

TE Curtis Hodges

DB Quan Martin (concussion)

Broncos

LB Frank Clark (hip)

DB JL Skinner

CB Riley Moss

C Alex Forsyth

DE Elijah Garcia

Stay here for live updates throughout the game. 

WHAT: Washington Commanders (1-0) at Denver Broncos (0-1)

WHERE: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado (76,125)

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, 4:25 p.m. ET

TELEVISION: CBS / FuboTV (try it free)

RADIO: WMAL 105.9

Tickets via SI Tickets

Betting via SI SportsBook

SPREAD: Commanders +3.5 (-110), Broncos -3.5 (-110)

TOTAL: 38.5 (o -118, u -110)

MONEYLINE: Commanders +150, Broncos -188

1ST QUARTER:

Washington gets the ball at its 25-yard line to start the game. 

Brian Robinson Jr. runs for two yards. Sam Howell's pass to Jahan Dotson on a screen loses a yard. On third and nine, Howell finds Dotson again, this time for 18 yards and a first down. 

Howell's pass to Terry McLaurin gains five yards. Howell dumps it off to Robinson on a screen and he turns it into a 21-yard gain to the Broncos' 30-yard line. 

Howell's pass to John Bates gains six yards. Howell's pass intended for Dotson is incomplete. On third and five, Howell is sacked by Randy Gregory for a seven-yard loss.

The 48-yard field goal attempt by Joey Slye is no good.

End of possession

Russell Wilson's pass to Jerry Jeudy gains 11 yards. 

Javonte Williams gets the handoff and runs for 15 yards to the Commanders' 35-yard line. 

Willson is sacked by James Smith-Williams and loses a yard. Williams gets another carry and runs for nine yards. On third and two, Wilson keeps it and runs for 14 yards before going out of bounds at the Commanders' 13-yard line to move the chains. 

Marvin Mims Jr. gets the carry on an end around and runs for seven yards before being pushed out of bounds. Before second and two, Denver calls a timeout. Jaleel McLaughlin gets the carry on a toss and he runs it in for a five-yard touchdown. 

The extra point by Will Lutz is good with 6:14 left in the first quarter.

Broncos 7, Commanders 0

End of possession

The Commanders begin the drive at their 25-yard line after the touchback. 

Howell rolls right and his pass is completed to Dyami Brown for eight yards. Robinson runs for six yards to move the chains. 

Howell finds Brown again for eight yards. Robinson runs for three yards to midfield for another first down. 

A neutral zone infraction moves Washington up five yards. On first and five, Howell's pass to McLaurin gains five yards for another first down at the Broncos' 40-yard line. 

Howell is pressured and in the grasp of a Denver defender but he throws it away. Howell finds Logan Thomas for 18 yards and another first down. 

Howell is sacked by Nik Bonitto for an eight-yard loss. Howell's pass to Dotson gains five yards before he's pushed out of bounds, making it third and 13. Howell looks for Dotson again but the pass is nearly intercepted but falls incomplete. 

Slye's 44-yard field goal is good with 24 seconds left in the first quarter.

Broncos 7, Commanders 3

End of possession

Slye's kick goes through the end zone for a touchback. 

Wilson's pass is incomplete but roughing the passer on Jamin Davis gives Denver 15 yards and a first down.

Wilson goes deep after a play fake and finds Mims for a 60-yard touchdown.

Lutz's extra point is good with 12 seconds left in the first quarter.

Broncos 14, Commanders 3

End of possession

Washington begins the drive at its 25-yard line after the touchback. 

Antonio Gibson runs for three yards on the final play of the first quarter. 

End of the quarter

2ND QUARTER:

Howell's pass intended for Gibson is incomplete. On third and eight, Howell is sacked by Jonathon Cooper for a three-yard loss. 

Tress Way's punt is downed at the Broncos' eight-yard line.

End of possession

Wilson's pass intended for Lil' Jordan Humphrey is incomplete. Williams runs for six yards. On third and four, Wilson finds Mims for a 54-yard gain to the Commanders' 30-yard line. 

Williams is stopped for no gain. He gets another handoff and only gains a yard. The Broncos call their second timeout with 11:07 left in the first half. On third and eight, Wilson's pass is complete to Jeudy for seven yards to make it fourth and one. 

Denver goes for it on fourth down and Wilson runs for two yards to extend the drive.

Williams runs for four yards. Wilson drops back to pass and finds Brandon Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown. 

Lutz's extra point is good with 9:01 left in the second quarter.

Broncos 21, Commanders 3

End of possession

The Commanders begin their drive at the 25-yard line after the touchback. 

Howell's pass intended for Thomas is deflected and nearly intercepted. Howell finds Curtis Samuel on a screen for a one-yard gain. On third and nine, Howell's pass intended for McLaurin is incomplete. 

Mims returns the punt from Washington's 15-yard line to Washington's 40-yard line for a 45-yard return. 

End of possession

Williams runs for five yards. Williams runs for seven yards, but offensive holding on Ben Powes negates the play. Before second and 15, the Broncos call their final timeout of the first half. Wilson scrambles and he fumbles after the hit by Jamin Davis. Cody Barton recovers it for a turnover.

End of possession

Washington begins the drive at Denver's 49-yard line. Howell's pass to Dotson is complete for three yards but holding on Sam Cosmi negates the gain. On first and 20, Howell's pass to McLaurin gains 10 yards. On second and 10, Howell is sacked but a face mask on Bonitto gives Washington a first down at Denver's 35-yard line. 

Howell finds Cole Turner for a nine-yard gain on a tight end screen. Robinson runs for two yards to move the chains.

Howell finds Bates for a six-yard gain. Samuel gets the carry on an end around and runs for 13 yards to Denver's five-yard line. 

Robinson runs for a yard on first and goal. The game has reached the two-minute warning. Howell's pass intended for Bates is deflected before falling incomplete. On third and goal, Howell's pass intended for Thomas is incomplete. 

Washington lines up to go for it. Howell's pass to Thomas on fourth and goal is complete for a touchdown. Thomas ate a huge hit from Kareem Jackson to the head and neck area and he's still down on the field. Jackson was ejected for the hit and flagged for unnecessary roughness. Thomas is being evaluated for a concussion but ran off of the field under his own power.

The Commanders go for the two-point conversion, handing it off to Robinson and it's no good with 1:47 left in the first half.  After further review, Robinson scored on the play.

Broncos 21, Commanders 11

End of possession

Denver begins the drive at its 25-yard line after the touchback.

Williams gets the carry and runs for a yard. Washington calls it first timeout with 1:40 left in the first half. Wilson is under pressure and throws it away. On third and nine, Wilson's pass to Jeudy is complete for seven yards. The Commanders call their second timeout with 1:28 left in the second quarter. 

Jamison Crowder calls for a fair catch at Washington's 23-yard line with 1:20 left in the first half.

End of possession

Howell throws it away on first down. Howell's pass to Samuel is complete for 13 yards and a first down. 

Howell finds Samuel again, this time for five yards. Howell scrambles for 17 yards but offensive holding on Charles Leno negates the big run. On second and 15, Howell's pass to Gibson gains three yards. The Commanders call their final timeout with 20 seconds left in the half. On third and 11, Howell goes deep for Bates and it's complete for a 34-yard gain. 

On first and 10 from Denver's 31-yard line, Howell's pass is incomplete. Howell throws another incompletion on second down. 

Slye comes out to attempt a 49-yard field goal and it's good. 

Halftime: Broncos 21, Commanders 14

3RD QUARTER:

Denver begins the drive at its 25-yard line after the touchback. 

Daron Payne sacks Wilson for a 10-yard loss. Williams gets the handoff and loses two yards. On third and 21, Wilson's pass intended for Samaje Perine is incomplete. 

Crowder returns the punt for only two yards to Washington's 42-yard line.

End of possession

Robinson runs for five yards. A false start on Nick Gates moves Washington back five yards to make it second and 10. Howell's pass intended for Bates is dropped. On third and 10, Howell avoids pressure and runs for 11 yards to move the chains. Defensive holding on Denver leads to five more yards being added to Howell's run. 

Robinson runs for 11 yards to Denver's 30-yard line. 

Howell goes deep and finds McLaurin for a 30-yard touchdown.

Slye's extra point is good to tie the game with 11:47 left in the third quarter.

Broncos 21, Commanders 21

End of possession

Denver begins the drive at its 25-yard line after the touchback. 

Williams runs for two yards. Wilson scrambles for a nine-yard gain and a first down.

Wilson's pass intended for Jeudy is nearly intercepted and falls incomplete. Wilson throws another incomplete pass. On third and 10, Wilson is intercepted by Emmanuel Forbes. The referees are discussing the play and the interception stands for the time being. After review, the call stands. Washington has the ball at Denver's 44-yard line.

End of possession

Robinson runs for 14 yards to move the chains. 

Robinson gets another carry and runs for two yards. Howell dumps it off to Gibson for a four-yard gain. On third and four, Howell is stripped by Cooper and Washington recovers it at Denver's 41-yard line. 

Slye comes out to attempt a 59-yard field goal and it's no good.

End of possession

Wilson's pass to Perine gains six yards and moves Denver to Washington's 45-yard line. Mims gets the handoff on an end around and runs for two yards. On third and two, Wilson's pass is complete to Cortland Sutton for 13 yards to move the chains. 

Wilson's pass to Perine goes for nine yards. Michael Burton gets the carry and runs for three yards to Washington's 18-yard line. 

Wilson's pass is complete to Sutton for four yards. Perine runs for four yards to make it third and two. Wilson is sacked by Chase Young for a three-yard loss. 

Lutz attempts a 31-yard field goal and it's good with 2:15 left in the third quarter.

Broncos 24, Commanders 21

End of possession

The Commanders begin the drive at their 25-yard line after the touchback.

Howell's pass intended for Dotson is incomplete but offensive pass interference makes it first and 20. Howell's pass to McLaurin gains five yards. On second and 15, Howell's pass intended for McLaurin is incomplete but defensive pass interference gives Washington a first down.

Robinson breaks multiple tackles and runs for 27 yards to the Broncos' 46-yard line. 

Robinson is stopped for a four-yard loss. That's the final play of the third quarter.

End of the quarter

4TH QUARTER:

Howell dumps it off to Gibson and he turns it into a huge play, running for 36 yards to Denver's 14-yard line. 

Howell's pass to Turner is complete for 12 yards to Denver's two-yard line. 

Robinson punches it in for a two-yard touchdown. 

Slye's extra point is good. 

Commanders 28, Broncos 24

Denver begins the drive at its 25-yard line after the touchback. 

Wilson's pass intended for Jeudy is incomplete but illegal hands in the face on Forbes gives Denver a first down. 

Williams is stopped for a one-yard gain. Wilson's pass intended for Williams is incomplete. On third and nine, Wilson is under pressure by Payne and he's forced to throw it away.

Crowder returns the punt to Washington's 31-yard line. A penalty on Denver adds five yards to the return.

End of possession

Washington begins the drive at its 36-yard line. Howell scrambles for two yards. Robinson gets the carry but is stopped for no gain. On third and eight, Howell is sacked, but defensive holding gives Washington a first down. 

Robinson runs for a yard. Howell dumps it off to Robinson on a screen and he runs for 21 yards. 

Howell's pass is complete to Byron Pringle for four yards. Gibson runs for six yards and a first down. 

Howell's pass to Brown gains nine yards to Denver's 15-yard line. Robinson gets the handoff off and he runs for a 15-yard touchdown. 

Slye's extra point is good with 7:11 left in the game.

Commanders 35, Broncos 24

End of possession

The Broncos begin the drive at their 25-yard line after the touchback.

Wilson's pass to Williams gains 10 yards for a first down. 

Wilson's pass is incomplete for first down. Wilson finds Sutton for 21 yards to Washington's 44-yard line. 

Wilson scrambles but doesn't gain a yard. Wilson keeps it again and runs for 15 yards to move the chains.

Wilson escapes pressure then is hit as he throws by Davis and the pass incomplete. Wilson's pass is completed to Williams for five yards. Roughing the passer on Young gives Denver a first down. 

It's first and 10 from Washington's 12-yard line. Wilson's pass to Humphery is complete for three yards. Wilson dumps it off to Perine for four yards. On third and one, Wilson keeps it and runs for a yard to move the chains. Payne is down on the field.

Wilson's pass is nearly intercepted but falls incomplete. After discussion by the refs, Wilson is ruled down at the eight-yard line as he was hit by Montez Sweat. That's the final play before the two-minute warning. 

A neutral zone infraction on Young moves Denver up four yards. On second and goal from the four-yard line, Wilson's pass to Adam Trautman is incomplete. Wilson drops back to pass on third and goal and he's sacked by Young and Sweat. Denver calls a timeout with 1:53 left in the game.

Lutz's 32-yard field goal is good with 1:50 left in the game.

Commanders 35, Broncos 27

End of possession

Lutz attempts an onside kick and it's recovered by Chris Rodriguez Jr. at Washington's 43-yard line.

Robinson runs for two yards and the Broncos call their second timeout. Robinson is stopped for a three-yard loss and Denver calls its final timeout with 1:41 left in the game. On third and 11, Robinson runs for two yards. Washington calls its first timeout with 56 seconds left in the game. 

Mims calls for a fair catch at Denver's 13-yard line with 48 seconds left in the game.

End of possession

Denver moves back five yards after a false start. Wilson's pass to Sutton is complete for 13 yards and he goes out of bounds. Wilson's pass on second down is incomplete. On third and three, Wilson's pass intended for Jeudy is incomplete. 

On fourth and three, Wilson scrambles for 13 yards to extend the drive. 

Wilson spikes it with 10 seconds left in the game. Wilson's pass to Sutton gains 16 yards to midfield. 

Washington calls its second timeout of the game with three seconds left to play. Wilson drops back for a hail mary and it's batted into the air and finds Johnson in the end zone for a touchdown. 

The Broncos line up for the two-point conversion and Wilson's pass intended for Sutton is broken up and that's the ballgame. 

FINAL: Commanders 35, Broncos 33

Published
Nathaniel Marrero
NATHANIEL MARRERO

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