DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 17: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Commanders tackles Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on September 17, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
For one half on Sunday, the Denver Broncos looked like they were ending their disastrous 2022 season.
Then everything collapsed. The Broncos squandered a 21-3 lead against the Washington Commanders, then saw their own momentum fail painfully in a 35-33 loss after a successful Hail Mary gave them a chance to tie the game.
With three seconds left in regulation, Russell Wilson found Brandon Johnson on an unusual Hail Mary that bounced off several Washington defenders to set up a two-point conversion attempt.
But a no-contact order during the attempt sealed Washington’s victory. Wilson faced Courtland Sutton in the end zone with Benjamin St-Juste covering him. St-Juste made contact with Sutton before the ball arrived and the pass fell through.
But the officials refused to raise a flag and the commanders walked off the field victorious.
The finish capped a difficult day for the Broncos, in which their offense remained quiet for most of the second half after building a large early lead. While Denver’s offense stagnated, the defense struggled to contain a balanced Washington unit led by first-year quarterback Sam Howell.
A two-yard touchdown run by Brian Robinson gave the Commanders their first lead, 28-24, with 13:25 to play. A 15-yard dash by Robinson seven minutes into the game put Washington ahead by 11 points.
Denver scored a field goal in response after driving to the Washington one-yard line on its next possession. Then the Broncos forced a Commanders punt with 48 seconds left to set off the dramatic final period.
The 18-point comeback is Washington’s biggest since 2015, when Kirk Cousins led a comeback from a 24-0 deficit to a 31-30 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, echoing his trademark rallying cry of “You like that.” “ inspired. The Commanders are now 2-0 after a Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
The day in Denver started off great for the home team with a new offense led by first-year head coach Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Joe Lomabardi. The big plays came back from former Pro Bowler Wilson, who gave the Broncos a 14-3 lead with a 60-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Mims Jr.
A 53-yard strike to Mims on Denver’s next possession helped set up another Broncos touchdown and extend the lead to 21-3.
By halftime, Wilson had completed six of eight passes for 154 yards and two scores. Denver’s offense had 223 yards of total offense. The spark seemed to have returned.
But the second half belonged to Howell and Robinson as Washington went on a 32-3 run starting in the second quarter. Howell completed 18 of 32 passes for 303 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in his second game since being named a full-time starter. Robinson managed 129 yards from scrimmage and the two scores.
Wilson finished the day 18 of 32 for 308 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Most of his second-half yardage came on Denver’s final two drives, which included the 50-yard Hail Mary. He added 56 yards on the ground.