Denver Broncos vs Washington Commanders Live: Bo Nix, Sean Payton Lead 9-2 Denver in Sunday Night Football Week 13 Showdown

The Denver Broncos are back in the national spotlight tonight as they visit the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football, a Week 13 clash that could further cement Denver’s status as an AFC powerhouse. Entering the primetime matchup at 9-2, the Broncos are riding an eight-game winning streak and have emerged as one of the league’s most balanced teams on both sides of the ball.

Led by quarterback Bo Nix and head coach Sean Payton, Denver’s offense has been efficient if not explosive, ranking in the middle of the league in total yards but finding timely plays when it matters. Live-game updates note Nix’s calm command, with accurate passing and off-schedule improvisation that set up a touchdown strike to wideout Courtland Sutton and a short scoring run by running back RJ Harvey.

On defense, the Broncos continue to look like a legitimate contender. Coming into tonight, Denver ranked top-five in fewest yards and points allowed, clamping down against both the run and the pass. That stingy unit has flashed again in Washington, with linebacker Dre Greenlaw capitalizing on backfield pressure to intercept Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota early in the second quarter, flipping momentum in Denver’s favor.

For Washington, the storyline is very different. The Commanders had dropped six straight entering the game and turned to Mariota again in place of injured rookie Jayden Daniels, hoping to snap their slide in front of a restless home crowd. Early drives produced some explosive plays, including a tough touchdown run by Chris Rodriguez Jr., but consistency has been elusive against Denver’s disciplined front.

The matchup carries important implications beyond tonight’s scoreboard. A win would push the Broncos to nine straight victories and keep them firmly in the race for the AFC’s top playoff seed, while also reinforcing their bid to finally unseat Kansas City in the AFC West. For Washington, an upset could be a rare bright spot in a difficult season and a potential building block for a reshaped roster heading into the stretch run.

As of late evening on December 1, the game remains tightly contested, with Denver’s steady, methodical approach matched against a Commanders team fighting to keep its season alive. For Broncos fans, every snap feels like another step in a long-awaited return to sustained relevance—and possibly a deep postseason run.