Commander Country

Commanders Come Back Down 18, Survive Hail Mary Scare vs. Broncos

The Washington Commanders struggled at the beginning against the Denver Broncos, but they were able to finish strong and pull out a win.
Commanders Come Back Down 18, Survive Hail Mary Scare vs. Broncos
Commanders Come Back Down 18, Survive Hail Mary Scare vs. Broncos

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The Washington Commanders (2-0) are heading home happy after a 35-33 win against the Denver Broncos (0-2) on Sunday afternoon at Empower Field at Mile High.

The Commanders looked like they had the game wrapped up, but a wild 50-yard Hail Mary attempt from Russell Wilson to receiver Brandon Johnson gave the Broncos one last prayer. However, the Broncos couldn't connect on the two-point conversion and the Commanders pulled out a win.

The win didn't seem likely at the beginning of the game when the Broncos raced out to a big lead. After Joey Slye missed the field goal on the opening drive, it appeared like it would be a long day for the Commanders.

That long day turned even longer when the Broncos scored touchdowns on each of their first three drives, while Washington managed just a field goal. Midway through the second quarter, it was a 21-3 lead for the Broncos.

However, the Commanders slowly began to chip away.

Inside the two-minute warning at the end of the first half, the Commanders managed to score a touchdown from Logan Thomas (who left the game with a concussion), a two-point conversion from Brian Robinson Jr. and a 49-yard field goal from Slye as time expired to cut the deficit to a touchdown.

In the second half, Sam Howell and the offense started out hot and tied the game on their first possession with a 30-yard touchdown to receiver Terry McLaurin.

After Denver knocked down a field goal, Washington took its first lead of the game on a Robinson 2-yard touchdown. Robinson would double his touchdown total on the next drive with another score that gave the Commanders an 11-point lead, one that Washington would hold on until the end.

The Commanders hope to stay perfect next week when they visit the Buffalo Bills (1-1). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.


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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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