LANDOVER, Md. -- In a nail-biting overtime clash, the Denver Broncos emerged victorious against the Washington Commanders with a 27-26 win, sealed by a clutch defensive play from Nik Bonitto.
The Decisive Play
With the Commanders needing a successful 2-point conversion to tie the game after scoring a touchdown in overtime, Bonitto stepped up to deliver the game-winning play. He deflected Marcus Mariota's pass, securing the Broncos' hard-fought victory. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, watching from the sidelines, anticipated the play, recognizing the defensive alignment and Bonitto's potential to make a significant impact.
"I knew what defense we were in, and I kind of figured out the play, so I knew what was happening,'' Nix said. "I think the guy might have been open, but Nik did a great job of making that play."
A Back-and-Forth Battle
The game was a constant seesaw, with Washington tying the score on the final play of regulation. In overtime, the Commanders responded to the Broncos' touchdown drive with an impressive 11-play, 65-yard drive, culminating in Terry McLaurin's 3-yard touchdown catch on a critical fourth-and-3.
Strategic Timeout and Defensive Adjustment
As the Commanders prepared for the pivotal 2-point conversion, Broncos coach Sean Payton called a timeout. This allowed defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to make a crucial adjustment to the defensive call, specifically designed to give Bonitto a chance to disrupt the play.
"We call it a Kodak situation where you have a timeout, the game's going to end, so call the timeout, regroup, collect your thoughts," Payton explained. "The challenge in those plays are designed QB runs, which we were concerned with ... we went from one pressure to another.
"But there's going to be a free rusher if you pressure the way we did it. And you don't know who's going to be the free rusher because the protection ... and so they left Nik free and the timing and everything was great."
Bonitto's Perspective
Lined up on the outside, Bonitto found himself unblocked as the Commanders struggled to sort out the Broncos' pass rush. He swiftly closed in on Mariota, leaping to deflect the pass with his right hand, which has been in a cast since Week 3.
"I knew he was buying time," Bonitto said. "At that point, I was just trying to make it hard for him to throw the ball, and I ended up knocking it down and we ended up winning the game." He also acknowledged the importance of the timeout in allowing the defense to regroup and execute the game-winning stop.
Near Premature Celebration
The Broncos nearly celebrated victory prematurely when safety Brandon Jones intercepted a deflected pass on fourth-and-6. However, a pass interference penalty on Talanoa Hufanga nullified the play, much to the dismay of Payton, who had already removed his headset in anticipation of the win.
"[That's] the first time for me in I don't know how many years as a head coach where I took [off] the quarterback to helmet [radio]," Payton said. "We didn't get the sack, interference was called -- it's never happened before."
Historical Significance
The Broncos' victory marked their ninth consecutive win, their longest winning streak since the end of the 2012 season. Additionally, this was their sixth game of the season decided on the last play, with a record of 4-2 in those contests.
