Bo Nix, RJ Harvey Power Broncos Past Commanders in Overtime Thriller: Denver Wins 9th Straight to Solidify AFC Contender Status

The Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders delivered one of the wildest finishes of the NFL season on Sunday night, with Denver escaping Landover, Maryland, with a 27-26 overtime win that extended its winning streak to nine games and pushed its record to 10-2. Washington fell to 3-9 with its seventh straight loss, but the primetime showcase offered more drama and hope than the standings suggest.

Rookie quarterback Bo Nix once again showed poise beyond his years, throwing for more than 300 yards and orchestrating the decisive drive in overtime. After Denver received the ball first in the extra period, Nix hit tight end Evan Engram on a deep strike to set up running back RJ Harvey for a 5-yard touchdown that put the Broncos ahead 27-20. Harvey’s performance, including multiple rushing scores, reinforced his emergence as a reliable focal point in Sean Payton’s offense.

The Commanders, however, refused to fold. Quarterback Marcus Mariota, starting again in place of injured rookie Jayden Daniels, led Washington on a gutsy response drive that was kept alive by a fourth-down pass interference call and clutch throws into tight windows. On fourth-and-goal in overtime, Mariota found star wideout Terry McLaurin for a 3-yard touchdown, cutting Denver’s lead to one and setting up a season-defining decision.

Head coach Dan Quinn chose aggression, keeping the offense on the field for a potential game-winning two-point conversion. That gamble turned into the night’s defining moment when Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto read Mariota’s quick throw and batted the pass away at the line of scrimmage, sealing the one-point win and sending Denver’s sideline into celebration. The stop underlined a resurgent Broncos defense that has consistently closed tight games during the team’s midseason surge.

Even in defeat, Washington produced highlight-reel moments that will linger. Newly acquired receiver Treylon Burks drew national attention with a spectacular one-handed touchdown grab over Broncos corner Riley Moss, a play instantly compared to Odell Beckham Jr.’s iconic catch and a potential turning point for Burks’ career after a rocky stint in Tennessee. McLaurin’s return from injury also energized an offense that piled up more than 400 total yards against one of the league’s stingiest defenses.

For Honyve readers, the bigger picture is clear: the Broncos have transformed into a legitimate AFC powerhouse built on complementary football, while the Commanders, despite their bleak record, flashed enough resilience and playmaking to keep their ongoing rebuild intriguing as December begins.