Bonitto’s play capped a thrilling 27-26 Sunday night football victory in Landover, Md. The Commanders held leads of 30-23 in first downs, 419-402 in total yards and 35:00 to 32:13 in time of possession, but the Broncos’ elite defense ultimately sealed the win.
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“We’ve been tested all year,” Bonitto, who also recorded a catch, told reporters. “There’s no situation where we’re new. It was just a matter of finding another way to win, and we did.”
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix totaled 321 passing yards and a touchdown, but also threw an interception. Running back RJ Harvey scored twice in the win. Mariotta threw for 294 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Sunday’s game featured four lead changes and was tied 20-20 at the end of regulation. Harvey ran for a 5-yard score on the first possession of overtime. The Commanders responded with an 11-play, 65-yard drive, ending with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Mariota to Terry McLaurin.
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Mariotta proceeded to take the next snap for a two-point conversion attempt. He stepped back before getting on his back foot and throwing the ball to his left. But Bonitto, who is wearing a cast to protect his injured wrist, managed to knock the ball out of the air, cementing a Broncos road victory.
Broncos kicker Wil Lutz kicked a 33-yard field goal on the first drive of the game for a 3-0 lead. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw intercepted Mariota early in the first quarter, leading to another Lutz field goal and a 6-0 lead.
The Commanders responded with an 11-play, 71-yard touchdown drive, capped by an 8-yard Chris Rodriguez run, to take their first lead of the night.
Nix threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton on the next possession to give the Broncos the lead back. Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks had a magnificent one-handed touchdown on the first drive of the second half, leading to a 14-13 lead.
But Harvey followed with a 1-yard touchdown about six minutes later. Commanders kicker Jake Moody cut the deficit to three with a 38-yard field goal at 2:23 of the fourth quarter. He split the uprights again for a 32-yard field goal as time expired in regulation to force overtime.
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Nix completed four consecutive passes to take the Broncos to the Commanders’ 5-yard line to begin the bonus period. Harvey ran for his second touchdown on the next play. Mariota completed a 38-yard pass to Deebo Samuel to bring the Commanders to the Broncos’ 2-yard line on the next drive. He threw his touchdown pass to McLaurin four plays later before his game-winning attempt was denied.
“The journey of a good team’s season involves games like this,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “And then you think you can do it again.”
The Broncos (10-2) will look to extend their nine-game winning streak against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) at 4:05 p.m. EST on Sunday in Las Vegas. The Raiders are on a six-game losing streak.
The Commanders (3-9), who are on a seven-game losing streak, will face the Minnesota Vikings (4-8) at 1 p.m. Sunday in Minneapolis.