The Denver Broncos currently own the National Football League’s top record at 10-2 and lead the American Football Conference West division by two games over the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Broncos were on the winning end of a thrilling 27-26 overtime victory over the Washington Commanders in Week 13 and have now won nine consecutive games since their Week 3 loss to the Chargers.
The offense was solid all night long and quarterback Bo Nix’s footwork left little to fuss about. Nix completed 29 of 45 passes for 321 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed for 16 yards on two carries.
The Broncos’ rushing attack was by committee as expected in the absence of J.K. Dobbins, and while Denver only rushed for 87 yards, rookie RJ Harvey stepped up and scored two touchdowns, one in overtime, leading the team in rushing with 35 yards on 13 carries.
The story of the game was Denver’s defense and the returns of star cornerback Pat Surtain II and star linebacker Alex Singleton. Surtain matched up with the returning Terry McLaurin several times and McLaurin had a big night, catching seven of 14 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown.
It wasn’t his best game, but Surtain is the best cornerback in the league when right, so I anticipate he will look better every week going forward.
Part of what makes Denver’s defense phenomenal is their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. They lead the NFL with 51 sacks and are on pace to tie a historic record that was set in 1984 by the Chicago Bears.
Denver only sacked Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota twice because he was getting rid of the ball early, which could hamper their chances at the sack record if their remaining opponents adopted this strategy.
“The Broncos entered the night with 49 sacks, on track for the league's single-season record. They finished with two sacks, and Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota's first 19 completions went for 166 yards in one quick flip after another,” ESPN’s Jeff Legwold wrote Sunday. “Denver is still -- just barely -- on track to at least equal the record of 72 sacks at its current pace. Sunday night, however, might have been a preview of how difficult it will be if quarterbacks emulate the quick-hit pace the Commanders used and coordinators lean on personnel groupings to keep the Broncos in their base defense.”
The Broncos will square off with the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in a Week 14 divisional matchup.