Sunday’s game between the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos had it all. The Broncos burst out to an 18-point lead in the first half. Washington battled back and took control of the game. That is until the Broncos scored a touchdown on an insane last-ditch Hail Mary but failed to tie the game on the ensuing two-point conversion.
The Broncos took a 21-3 lead early in the second quarter. The game seemed lost for the Commanders, but they battled back. Eventually, Washington took a fourth-quarter lead at 28-24 before extending it to 35-24.
But the Broncos kept fighting. After a field goal down 35-27, quarterback Russell Wilson led Denver on an improbable scoring drive thanks to a Hail Mary on the last snap before the clock hit zero.
Wilson got outside the pocket to launch the prayer as Commanders linebacker Cody Barton charged at him. The ball hung in the air. Commanders’ rookie Emmanuel Forbes batted the ball up in the air instead of down to the ground. The ball bounced right into the hands of Broncos wide receiver Brandon Johnson for the miracle touchdown.
The Broncos Hail Mary cut Washington’s lead to 35-33, as Commanders defenders looked in disbelief.
However, the Broncos were unable to convert the two-point conversion. Wilson targeted wide receiver Courtland Sutton, crossing the formation. Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste appeared to make contact early to break up the pass.
The officials did not throw a flag, and Washington survived the whacky ending of the game.
After the game, Sutton reacted to the failed two-point conversion and what appeared to be defensive pass interference by St-Juste.
“There’s enough cameras out there and enough TV coverage that everyone can watch it and figure out for themselves what happened,” Sutton said, per Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. “All I can talk about is what I can control. Russ [Wilson] gave me a chance to make a play, and I’ve just got to find a way.”
Broncos head coach Sean Payton was more critical of the play’s execution than the officials.
“We got a play we were going to get to,” Payton said. “I think (Jerry) Jeudy actually comes open. We come off that, and we’re going to Courtland. We’ll see it on tape, but I probably didn’t see it as good as you guys did.”
Nonetheless, the Broncos fall to 0-2 on the season. Both losses were at home by a combined three points. They’ll have their first road game of the season against the Miami Dolphins.
Meanwhile, the Commanders franchise is 2-0 for the first time since 2011. Washington rallied from early deficits in both games.
