Broncos vs. Commanders second quarter recap

The Washington Commanders began the second quarter at the Denver Broncos 23-yard line having just converted a third and 12 to end the first quarter. They were in prime position to put points on the board.

After a nice first down run, Marcus Mariota was finally pressured and tried to make a jump pass down the field where Dre Greenlaw made a play on the ball to intercept near the goal line and returned it to the 32 yard line to keep the Commanders scoreless in the game.

The Broncos offense kept things on the ground to start their next drive with back-to-back runs by RJ Harvey for a total of nine yards. On third and one, an inside handoff to Adam Prentice was more than enough for a first down. Evan Engram dropped a swing pass in the flat and then Nix scrambled on second down for five yards. Nix would then hit Troy Franklin just shy of the first down marker at the Commanders 45-yard line.

Sean Payton rarely punts in those situations, so on fourth and one, Nix hit Adam Trautman in the flat for a first down who broke several tackles for a 21-yard gain.

Two plays later RJ Harvey took a pass in the flat and gained another first down to the 12-yard line. He was stuffed for a four yard loss on the very next play though, which would ultimately thwart the Broncos hopes of scoring a touchdown.

Wil Lutz would add a field goal to cap the 13-play, 56 yard drive converting that Greenlaw interception into points.

Broncos 6, Commanders 0.

Marcus Mariota and the Commanders offense answered on their next drive. They had had success against the NFL’s best defense throughout the first half and it finally all came together late in the second quarter. Just outside of the 10 yard line, however, the Broncos defense finally began making some plays. One big play by Zach Allen to sack Mariota ended the momentum as Nik Bonitto was thrown to the ground by an offensive lineman but they called the penalty on Bonitto to give the Commanders a first and goal.

They would score on the next play. Questionable officiating seems to be here to stay in today’s NFL.

Commanders 7, Broncos 6.

With just over two minutes remaining in the half, Nix began the Broncos next drive with a quick pass to RJ Harvey who gained about seven yards on first down to bring the game to the two minute warning.

An incompletion to Evan Engram led to a completion over the middle to Marvin Mims Jr. for a short gain and a first down with Von Miller tackling Mims. Nix would finally find Engram open with a good pass and Engram would turn it up field for a 12-yard gain into Commanders territory.

Courtland Sutton would then finally get into action on the next play for another first down into field goal range. Engram again would get the ball down to the Commanders 18-yard line. Nix again found Engram for another first down to bring up a first down at the 11 yard line.

Two plays later Nix while being sacked, fired a ball to Courtland Sutton on a crosser for the touchdown to retake the lead late in the second quarter.

Broncos 13, Commanders 7.

The two minute drive took 10-plays for 64 yards. Denver needed that with the Commanders getting the ball to start the second half.