The Denver Broncos squandered a 21-3 lead over the Washington Commanders on Sunday in an eventual 35-33 loss in Week 2.
The Commanders marched down the field on their opening drive but missed a field goal. After that, the Broncos went on a seven-play, 61-yard drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown run from rookie Jaleel McLaughlin to give Denver an early 7-0 lead.
Buy Broncos TicketsWashington then added a field goal to make it 7-3 late in the first quarter. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson matched that score by throwing a 60-yard touchdown pass to rookie Marvin Mims to make it 14-3.
Wilson later threw a 16-yard TD pass to Brandon Johnson to extend the lead to 21-3. Before halftime, the Commanders scored a touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-11 (Washington went for two). Broncos safety Kareem Jackson was ejected after a head-to-head hit on Commanders tight end Logan Thomas on Washington’s touchdown.
The Commanders later added a field goal to make it 21-14 going into halftime. After Denver went three-and-out to begin the third quarter, Washington went 57 yards to tie the game 21-21 on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Sam Howell to Terry McLaurin.
Late in the third quarter, the Broncos retook the lead on a 31-yard Wil Lutz field goal. The Commanders then scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make it 28-24. Washington running back Brian Robinson later added a 15-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 35-24.
Denver added a 33-yard field goal late in the fourth to cut it to 35-27, but the Broncos failed to recover the ensuing onside kick.
After getting the ball back, Denver nearly pulled off an incredible comeback. Wilson threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Johnson to make it 35-33, but the two-point conversion attempt failed, sealing a loss.
Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3.
