Denver Broncos vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats
The Denver Broncos vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats from the December 1, 2025 overtime thriller tell a much more interesting story than the final 27-26 score alone. Denver survived a game in which Washington produced more total yards, more rushing production, more first downs, and more offensive plays. The Broncos ultimately won because several individual performances came together at the most important moments, particularly RJ Harvey’s overtime touchdown, Bo Nix’s 321 passing yards, and Nik Bonitto’s decisive defensive play on Washington’s failed two-point attempt.
The game was played at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, and finished with Denver improving to 10-2 while Washington fell to 3-9. The official game record lists 402 total yards for Denver and 419 for Washington, making this a useful example of why raw yardage alone does not determine the winner. Official NFL game center and stats
Denver Broncos vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The Broncos entered the matchup with a 9-2 record and left Washington at 10-2 after winning their ninth consecutive game. The Commanders, meanwhile, entered at 3-8 and dropped to 3-9.
The final score was:
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT | Final |
| Denver Broncos | 3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 27 |
| Washington Commanders | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 26 |
The scoring pattern shows how unusual the contest became.
Denver established an early 6-0 advantage through two Wil Lutz field goals. Washington then responded with a Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushing touchdown before Bo Nix connected with Courtland Sutton for a late second-quarter touchdown.
Washington took a 14-13 lead in the third quarter after Marcus Mariota found Treylon Burks for a touchdown. Denver answered with an RJ Harvey rushing score to regain the advantage.
The fourth quarter belonged largely to Washington’s comeback effort. Jake Moody converted two field goals, including a 32-yard kick as regulation expired, sending the game to overtime at 20-20.
Denver scored first in overtime when Harvey ran for his second touchdown of the game. Washington responded with a Terry McLaurin touchdown reception, but the Commanders could not complete the two-point conversion that would have won the game.
That final sequence is important because it demonstrates the difference between statistical production and situational execution.
Bo Nix Passing Performance
Bo Nix produced one of the most significant statistical performances of the game for Denver.
His passing line was:
- 29 completions
- 45 attempts
- 321 passing yards
- 7.1 yards per attempt
- 1 touchdown
- 1 interception
- 1 sack for 6 yards
- 62.8 QBR
- 83.7 passer rating
The 321 passing yards were the highest total among all players in the game.
Nix did not play a flawless game. Completing 29 of 45 attempts resulted in a completion percentage of approximately 64.4%, while the interception prevented his performance from becoming statistically cleaner. He also took a sack.
Still, the volume and yardage matter.
Denver attempted 45 passes while Washington attempted 50. Nix therefore operated in a pass-heavy game script, particularly considering Denver finished with only 87 rushing yards.
One of the most useful ways to evaluate his performance is to compare passing production with the overall offensive environment.
Denver produced 402 total yards. Nix accounted for 321 gross passing yards, which represented the central component of the Broncos’ offensive production.
His 7.1 yards per attempt also compared favorably with Mariota’s 5.9 yards per attempt.
That difference suggests Denver was more efficient at turning individual passing attempts into yardage, even though Washington ultimately generated more total offense.
Nix’s Most Important Contributions
Nix’s value was not limited to his touchdown pass.
He also added 16 rushing yards on two carries, averaging 8.0 yards per attempt. His longest run was 11 yards.
That gave him 337 combined passing and rushing yards before accounting for the difference between gross and net passing yardage.
From a game-analysis perspective, this is important because Nix was not simply a stationary passer. His mobility provided another way to move the offense when Washington’s defense created pressure.
The Broncos quarterback also had to operate against a Washington defense that recorded a team sack and generated four quarterback hits.
His statistical line therefore reflects both volume and resilience.
Marcus Mariota’s Passing Statistics
Marcus Mariota had a productive statistical night in terms of volume, but his efficiency was less impressive than Nix’s.
Mariota finished with:
- 28 completions
- 50 attempts
- 294 passing yards
- 5.9 yards per attempt
- 2 touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 2 sacks for 18 yards
- 55.8 QBR
- 78.2 passer rating
The 294 passing yards were substantial, but Washington needed 50 attempts to produce them.
That distinction matters.
Mariota completed 56% of his attempts. He threw two touchdown passes, compared with one for Nix, yet Washington still lost because its late scoring opportunities required a successful two-point conversion after the overtime touchdown.
Mariota also contributed 55 rushing yards on 10 carries, giving him a meaningful role in the Commanders’ ground attack.
His 19-yard rushing gain was Washington’s longest individual run.
Mariota’s Dual-Threat Impact
The rushing numbers provide useful context for evaluating Mariota.
Washington did not depend exclusively on its running backs. Mariota’s 55 rushing yards represented a significant part of the team’s 143 rushing yards.
Washington ran the ball 33 times and averaged 4.3 yards per rushing attempt.
That was actually better than Denver’s 3.8-yard rushing average.
This is one of the clearest statistical reasons the game remained competitive.
Washington could consistently create positive rushing plays, while Mariota added another dimension as a runner.
The problem was that offensive production did not translate into a decisive final possession.
RJ Harvey Was Denver’s Most Important Rusher
RJ Harvey’s rushing numbers were not dominant throughout regulation, but his touchdowns were enormously valuable.
Harvey finished with:
- 13 carries
- 35 rushing yards
- 2.7 yards per carry
- 2 rushing touchdowns
- 11-yard long
He also caught three passes for 27 yards.
His 62 total yards from scrimmage were not the largest offensive total on the Broncos, but his two touchdowns directly influenced the final result.
The first came in the third quarter and temporarily restored Denver’s lead.
The second came in overtime and put Denver ahead 27-20.
That makes Harvey one of the clearest examples in this game of why touchdowns can be more important than volume yardage.
A running back can finish with fewer than 50 rushing yards and still become one of the game’s most important players if his carries arrive at high-value moments.
Jaleel McLaughlin Adds Efficiency
Jaleel McLaughlin had six rushing attempts for 24 yards.
His 4.0-yard average was better than Harvey’s 2.7-yard average, although his overall workload was much smaller.
McLaughlin also caught one pass for six yards.
His longest rush was 14 yards, giving Denver another source of explosive potential from the backfield.
The Broncos used multiple players rather than placing their entire rushing workload on one back.
Denver’s five listed rushing contributors combined for 87 yards.
Washington’s Rushing Attack Outproduced Denver’s
Washington’s ground game was statistically stronger.
The Commanders finished with:
- 33 rushing attempts
- 143 rushing yards
- 4.3 yards per carry
- 1 rushing touchdown
- 19-yard longest run
That was 56 more rushing yards than Denver produced.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. led Washington’s running backs with 41 yards and scored the team’s rushing touchdown.
He carried the ball 11 times, averaging 3.7 yards per attempt.
Jeremy McNichols added 30 yards on six carries, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt produced 20 yards on four attempts, also averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Mariota’s 55 rushing yards were particularly important because they pushed the Commanders’ overall rushing production well beyond Denver’s.
Yet Washington’s superior rushing numbers did not produce a victory.
That is one of the strongest lessons from the game.
Receiving Leaders for Denver
Denver’s passing production was distributed across several players rather than concentrated exclusively on one receiver.
Evan Engram led the Broncos with:
- 6 receptions
- 79 yards
- 13.2 yards per reception
- 9 targets
- 41-yard long
Engram’s 41-yard reception was the longest catch for Denver.
Courtland Sutton finished with:
- 5 receptions
- 62 yards
- 12.4 yards per reception
- 1 touchdown
- 6 targets
- 31-yard long
Sutton’s touchdown was particularly important because it arrived with only 23 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
That gave Denver a 13-7 halftime lead.
Adam Trautman’s Efficient Receiving
Adam Trautman caught three passes for 47 yards.
His 15.7 yards per reception were the highest average among Denver players with multiple receptions.
He also recorded a 22-yard reception.
Pat Bryant caught three passes for 42 yards, averaging 14.0 yards per catch.
The Broncos therefore had several players capable of producing meaningful gains without relying on one primary target.
Denver’s Overall Receiving Distribution
Denver finished with:
- 29 receptions
- 321 receiving yards
- 11.1 yards per reception
- 1 receiving touchdown
- 43 targets
That 11.1-yard average was higher than Washington’s 10.5-yard receiving average.
The difference was not enormous, but it reflects Denver’s slightly more productive average per completed pass.
Zach Ertz Led Washington’s Receivers
Zach Ertz was Washington’s leading receiver by both receptions and yardage.
He finished with:
- 10 receptions
- 106 yards
- 10.6 yards per reception
- 13 targets
- 21-yard long
Ertz was a major part of Washington’s passing volume.
Ten receptions in a game where the quarterback completed 28 passes means Ertz accounted for more than one-third of Mariota’s completions.
That level of involvement is particularly significant in a game where Washington repeatedly needed sustained drives.
Terry McLaurin Delivered in Overtime
Terry McLaurin had seven receptions for 96 yards and one touchdown.
His receiving line included:
- 7 receptions
- 96 yards
- 13.7 yards per reception
- 1 touchdown
- 14 targets
- 20-yard long
McLaurin was heavily targeted and became the player responsible for Washington’s overtime touchdown.
His final touchdown gave the Commanders a chance to win with a successful two-point conversion.
That opportunity ultimately failed, but McLaurin’s contribution was one of the most important offensive performances of the game.
Deebo Samuel Sr. Had a Mixed Statistical Profile
Deebo Samuel Sr. contributed in several areas.
As a receiver, he recorded five receptions for 64 yards, averaging 12.8 yards per catch.
He also carried the ball twice for negative three yards.
His two rushing attempts therefore reduced Washington’s rushing efficiency rather than improving it.
Samuel also returned four kickoffs for 114 yards, averaging 28.5 yards per return.
This created a significant special teams contribution even though his rushing numbers were negative.
His overall involvement demonstrates why box scores should be evaluated across multiple phases.
Denver Defensive Player Stats
Denver’s defense recorded 83 total tackles, 52 solo tackles, two sacks, eight tackles for loss, nine passes defended, and six quarterback hits.
Talanoa Hufanga led the team with 13 tackles, including 10 solo tackles.
His workload stands out immediately.
Brandon Jones recorded eight tackles.
Alex Singleton finished with six tackles, four solo stops, two passes defended, and one quarterback hit.
Jonathon Cooper added six tackles, four solo tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended.
Ja’Quan McMillian also recorded six tackles.
Nik Bonitto’s Game-Defining Play
Nik Bonitto finished with:
- 3 tackles
- 2 solo tackles
- 1 sack
- 1 tackle for loss
- 1 quarterback hit
However, his most important contribution does not appear fully in those totals.
In overtime, Washington scored a touchdown to cut Denver’s lead to 27-26. Instead of kicking an extra point to tie the game, Washington attempted a two-point conversion for the win.
Mariota’s pass was knocked away by Bonitto.
That defensive play ended the game.
The official game record confirms that Denver held Washington to 26 points despite Washington producing 419 total yards. The final defensive stand was therefore more significant than Bonitto’s basic tackle and sack numbers might suggest.
This is a perfect example of the difference between traditional statistics and situational value.
A player can have modest overall numbers but make the single play that determines the winner.
Dre Greenlaw’s Interception
Dre Greenlaw recorded Denver’s only interception.
He returned it 27 yards and finished with five tackles, two solo tackles, and one tackle for loss.
The interception was important because Washington’s offense was capable of producing sustained drives.
Greenlaw’s turnover interrupted that rhythm.
Washington Defensive Player Stats
Washington’s defense recorded:
- 79 total tackles
- 35 solo tackles
- 1 sack
- 2 tackles for loss
- 5 passes defended
- 4 quarterback hits
Bobby Wagner led Washington with eight tackles.
He also recorded the Commanders’ only interception, returning it six yards.
Mike Sainristil, Jeremy Reaves, and Quan Martin each recorded seven tackles.
Jonathan Jones, Will Harris, Noah Igbinoghene, and Jordan Magee each contributed six tackles.
Frankie Luvu recorded:
- 4 tackles
- 1 solo tackle
- 1 sack
- 1 tackle for loss
- 1 pass defended
- 2 quarterback hits
The Commanders defense did enough to keep the Broncos from pulling away.
The problem was not simply defensive failure.
Denver’s offense repeatedly generated enough production to maintain a narrow lead, while Washington’s late-game execution left the difference between winning and losing on one play.
Total Offense Reveals a Much Closer Game
The final statistics show just how competitive the game was.
| Category | Denver | Washington |
| Total yards | 402 | 419 |
| First downs | 23 | 30 |
| Rushing yards | 87 | 143 |
| Passing yards | 315 net | 276 net |
| Offensive plays | 69 | 85 |
| Third down | 7/15 | 8/17 |
| Fourth down | 1/1 | 3/3 |
| Red zone | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Time of possession | 32:13 | 35:00 |
| Turnovers lost | 1 | 1 |
Washington actually had more first downs, more total yards, more rushing yards, more offensive plays, and more time of possession.
Denver still won.
That is the central analytical lesson from this matchup.
Why More Yardage Did Not Produce a Washington Win
There were several reasons.
First, Denver’s passing game was more productive on a per-attempt basis.
Second, both teams were perfect in field goal attempts, but Denver scored three extra points compared with Washington’s two successful extra points.
Third, Denver’s defense created an interception and ultimately prevented the decisive two-point conversion.
Fourth, Denver scored first in overtime.
The sequence of scoring mattered more than the raw yardage totals.
Third-Down and Fourth-Down Performance
Denver converted seven of 15 third downs, a 46.7% success rate.
Washington converted eight of 17, or 47.1%.
Those numbers are almost identical.
Washington was more aggressive on fourth down, converting all three of its attempts.
Denver converted its only fourth-down attempt.
This tells us that neither team had a massive advantage in extending drives through standard down-and-distance efficiency.
Instead, the game was decided by a combination of explosive plays, red-zone execution, turnovers, and overtime decisions.
Red-Zone Performance Was Identical
Both teams went 3-for-5 in the red zone.
That is another important statistical detail.
Denver scored three touchdowns on five red-zone trips.
Washington also scored three touchdowns on five trips.
Therefore, red-zone touchdown efficiency did not separate the teams.
The difference came from what happened outside the red zone and, most importantly, during the final two-point attempt.
This is why a box-score analysis should not stop at touchdowns and total yards.
Two teams can have identical red-zone touchdown rates and still produce very different results because of field goals, turnovers, field position, and extra-point decisions.
Special Teams Played a Significant Role
Wil Lutz was perfect for Denver.
He made:
- 2 of 2 field goals
- 3 of 3 extra points
- 33-yard longest field goal
- 9 total points
Jake Moody was also perfect on field goals, going 2-for-2.
He made both extra points that followed Washington’s regulation touchdowns, but Washington’s overtime touchdown did not result in another successful conversion.
Denver’s kick returners combined for 118 yards.
Marvin Mims Jr. had three returns for 68 yards, averaging 22.7 yards per return.
Tyler Badie added two returns for 50 yards.
Washington’s kick return unit produced 129 yards.
Samuel led the way with 114 yards on four returns.
Therefore, Washington actually held an advantage in kickoff return yardage.
Again, the team with the better raw number did not necessarily win the game.
Punting Comparison
Denver’s Jeremy Crawshaw punted four times for 181 yards.
His average was 45.3 yards, with a 50-yard long and one punt inside the 20-yard line.
Washington’s Tress Way also punted four times.
He produced 169 total yards, averaging 42.3 yards per punt, with a 56-yard long and two inside the 20.
Washington therefore had the better number of punts placed inside the 20, while Denver had the higher average and greater total punting yardage.
The special teams numbers were competitive rather than one-sided.
The Overtime Sequence Changed Everything
The overtime sequence deserves special attention because it explains the final result better than almost any individual box-score number.
Denver received the ball first.
The Broncos drove 76 yards on five plays in 3:01.
RJ Harvey finished the drive with a five-yard touchdown run.
Denver led 27-20.
Washington then responded with a long touchdown drive.
The Commanders moved 70 yards on 11 plays and used 4:12.
Mariota eventually connected with McLaurin for a three-yard touchdown.
At 27-26, Washington had a choice.
The Commanders attempted the two-point conversion instead of settling for an extra point and another possession.
Bonitto broke up the attempt.
Game over.
This is why the Denver Broncos vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats should be viewed through the lens of game situation.
The final defensive play had a larger effect on the outcome than many players’ entire statistical lines.
What the Game Says About Bo Nix
Nix’s 321 passing yards demonstrate that Denver’s offense could generate substantial passing production even without a dominant rushing attack.
However, the one interception and 83.7 passer rating also show that the performance was not statistically perfect.
The more interesting takeaway is that Nix operated efficiently enough to keep Denver competitive while Washington controlled several other statistical categories.
His ability to produce 7.1 yards per passing attempt was particularly valuable.
For evaluating quarterbacks, I find it more useful to look at multiple variables together rather than declaring a player good or bad based on the final score.
In this game, Nix had strong yardage, adequate completion efficiency, one touchdown, one interception, and some rushing value.
That profile fits a productive but imperfect quarterback performance.
What the Game Says About Marcus Mariota
Mariota’s statistics tell a similar story from the opposite side.
He produced two touchdown passes and 294 passing yards.
He also ran for 55 yards.
Washington generated 419 total yards.
Those are meaningful numbers.
But Mariota needed 50 pass attempts to reach 294 yards, and his 5.9 yards per attempt was considerably lower than Nix’s 7.1.
His 78.2 passer rating also trailed Nix’s 83.7.
Most importantly, Washington’s final offensive sequence ended without the successful conversion needed to win.
That does not mean the loss can be assigned to Mariota alone.
The Commanders moved the ball well enough to put themselves in position to win.
The final outcome was a team-level result shaped by a single high-pressure play.
The Most Valuable Denver Players
Based strictly on the supplied statistics and game context, several Broncos stand out.
RJ Harvey
Harvey scored both of Denver’s rushing touchdowns.
His second touchdown gave Denver the overtime lead.
Bo Nix
Nix threw for 321 yards and a touchdown while adding 16 rushing yards.
His passing production was the foundation of Denver’s offensive output.
Evan Engram
Engram led Denver with 79 receiving yards and produced the team’s longest reception at 41 yards.
Courtland Sutton
Sutton’s five receptions included Denver’s regulation touchdown.
Nik Bonitto
Bonitto’s overall numbers were modest, but his blocked two-point attempt was the game’s defining defensive play.
Talanoa Hufanga
Hufanga’s 13 tackles led Denver and reflected his heavy involvement in containing Washington’s high-volume offense.
The Most Valuable Washington Players
Washington also had several standout performers.
Zach Ertz
Ertz led Washington with 10 receptions and 106 yards.
Terry McLaurin
McLaurin posted 96 receiving yards and scored the overtime touchdown that nearly gave Washington the victory.
Marcus Mariota
Mariota produced 294 passing yards and two touchdown passes while adding 55 rushing yards.
Deebo Samuel Sr.
Samuel contributed as a receiver and kick returner, including 114 kickoff return yards.
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Rodriguez scored Washington’s regulation rushing touchdown and finished with 41 rushing yards.
Bobby Wagner
Wagner led Washington with eight tackles and recorded the team’s interception.
The Biggest Statistical Surprise
The biggest surprise is that Washington statistically controlled many parts of the game.
The Commanders had:
- 30 first downs
- 419 total yards
- 143 rushing yards
- 85 offensive plays
- 35:00 time of possession
- 33 rushing attempts
- 50 passing attempts
Denver had:
- 23 first downs
- 402 total yards
- 87 rushing yards
- 69 offensive plays
- 32:13 time of possession
- 23 rushing attempts
- 45 passing attempts
Washington therefore ran 16 more offensive plays.
Yet Denver won.
That is not a contradiction.
It illustrates how NFL games can be determined by efficiency, scoring opportunities, turnovers, and situational football rather than volume alone.
Why the Denver Passing Game Mattered
Denver’s 315 net passing yards were the primary reason the Broncos could remain competitive despite Washington’s rushing advantage.
The Broncos averaged 6.8 yards per pass play when sacks were included in the official team calculation.
Washington averaged 5.3.
That gap is meaningful.
Denver was able to gain more value from each passing opportunity.
This helped compensate for the Broncos’ relatively modest 3.8-yard rushing average.
The offense did not need to dominate every statistical category.
It needed enough efficiency in the passing game to generate points.
What the Matchup Teaches About Player Evaluation
A strong player-stat analysis should answer more than “Who had the most yards?”
It should also ask:
- Who produced the most efficient offense?
- Who generated points?
- Who created turnovers?
- Who delivered in critical situations?
- Which statistics were misleading?
- Which players influenced the game without producing large totals?
This matchup provides examples for every question.
Ertz had more receptions than any Denver receiver, but Denver won.
- Washington rushed for 56 more yards than Denver, but Denver won.
- Washington had seven more first downs, but Denver won.
- Washington ran 16 more offensive plays, but Denver won.
Bonitto had only three tackles, yet his final pass breakup may have been the most important individual defensive play of the night.
That is why box-score interpretation requires context.
Denver Broncos vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats: Key Takeaways
The most important statistical conclusions from the game are straightforward.
Bo Nix led the passing yardage battle.
His 321 yards were the highest total in the matchup.
Marcus Mariota was more involved as a runner.
His 55 rushing yards were a major part of Washington’s offensive production.
Washington dominated rushing yardage.
The Commanders produced 143 yards compared with Denver’s 87.
Evan Engram led Denver’s receivers.
He recorded 79 yards and a 41-yard reception.
Zach Ertz led Washington’s receivers.
He caught 10 passes for 106 yards.
RJ Harvey scored twice on the ground.
His overtime touchdown put Denver ahead for the final time.
Both teams were efficient in the red zone.
Each went 3-for-5.
Both teams lost one turnover.
Neither team had a major turnover differential advantage.
Denver’s defense won the final moment.
Bonitto’s two-point pass breakup preserved the victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Denver and Washington?
The Denver Broncos defeated the Washington Commanders 27-26 in overtime on December 1, 2025.
Who was the leading passer in the game?
Bo Nix led all passers with 321 yards. He completed 29 of 45 attempts, threw one touchdown and one interception, and finished with an 83.7 passer rating.
Who led the Broncos in rushing?
RJ Harvey led Denver with 35 rushing yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns.
Who led Washington in receiving?
Zach Ertz led the Commanders with 10 receptions for 106 yards on 13 targets.
How many rushing yards did Washington have?
Washington produced 143 rushing yards on 33 attempts, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
Who made the game-saving defensive play?
Nik Bonitto knocked away Marcus Mariota’s two-point conversion attempt in overtime, preserving Denver’s 27-26 victory.
Conclusion
The Denver Broncos vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats provide a strong example of why NFL box scores should be read as a connected story rather than a collection of isolated numbers.
Washington produced more total yards, more first downs, more rushing yards, more offensive plays, and more time of possession. The Commanders also converted all three of their fourth-down attempts and kept Denver under 100 rushing yards.
Denver nevertheless found enough passing efficiency and scoring production to stay ahead when it mattered.
Bo Nix’s 321 passing yards gave the Broncos a major advantage through the air. RJ Harvey converted two important rushing opportunities into touchdowns, including the overtime score that gave Denver a seven-point advantage. Evan Engram provided the team’s highest receiving yardage, while Courtland Sutton supplied a crucial regulation touchdown.
Washington had its own impressive individual performances. Zach Ertz surpassed 100 receiving yards, Terry McLaurin nearly reached the same mark and scored the overtime touchdown, while Marcus Mariota contributed through both passing and rushing.
The decisive difference came at the end.
After Washington scored in overtime, the Commanders had a chance to win with a successful two-point conversion. Nik Bonitto’s pass breakup ended that opportunity.
That final play captures the essence of the entire matchup. Statistics explain how the game developed, but situational execution explains why one team walked away with the win.
For anyone studying the Denver Broncos vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats, the biggest lesson is not that Denver dominated. It did not. The better conclusion is that Denver was more effective in several high-value moments, and those moments outweighed Washington’s statistical advantages in volume.
The 27-26 result was therefore a product of efficiency, scoring timing, quarterback production, red-zone execution, and one decisive defensive play.
