Washington Commanders vs. Denver Broncos: 4 reasons for optimism

The Washington Commanders host the Denver Broncos in Week 13 on Sunday Night Football from Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

Both teams are coming off their bye week and need to win for different reasons. The Broncos currently sit atop the AFC West, but the Los Angeles Chargers are hot on their heels as they seek their own playoff berth. The Commanders have no playoff hopes, but a win over Denver this week would provide a much-needed morale boost after the way their season has gone.

It's going to be a tough game for Washington this week; despite being at home, they are currently 5.5-point underdogs, per BetMGM. But that doesn't mean they will automatically lose, so let's take a look at four reasons for optimism as the Commanders host the Broncos in Week 13.

Broncos' reliance on close games

Denver is on an eight-game win streak, but six of those wins were decided by four points or fewer, suggesting they are vulnerable if Washington keeps the game close. The offense has also been inconsistent, ranking near the bottom of the league in explosive plays. The Broncos rely heavily on defense and special teams to win games, so if Washington can force Bo Nix into obvious passing downs, the Broncos' ability to score drops dramatically.

Bye week recovery

Both teams are coming off a bye, but Washington had a slew of injuries piling up and desperately needed that time to get some of its players back. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin will play this week. Having him on the field makes it easier for the Commanders to stretch the field, and it provides a reliable target against Denver's secondary. Marcus Mariota will also have Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz on the field, so the Broncos will have to decide how to defend all of them. McLaurin's presence on the field alone is enough to derail the Broncos' defense.

Broncos' road struggles

Both of Denver's losses have come on the road, and they've been far stronger at home than on the road. Traveling east for a primetime game often exposes them to slow starts, which Washington can capitalize on with early momentum. That means the Commanders have to capitalize on the slow start and get the ground game going early. If they can do that and score some points, it will be much more difficult for the Broncos to recover.

Nothing-to-lose mentality

With a 3-8 record, the Commanders are playing without postseason pressure. They legitimately have nothing to lose in this game because they have no hope of making the playoffs. This actually gives the Commanders greater freedom, leading to aggressive play-calling, trick plays, and risk-taking. It's not necessarily Dan Quinn's first choice, but this is the kind of approach that can topple a Broncos team that thrives in tight, conservative games.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 4 reasons for optimism vs. Broncos