Bonitto, Broncos fend of Commanders in OT for 9th-consecutive win

Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Nik Bonitto darted around the right edge, flailed his casted right hand and swatted away Marcus Mariota's final pass attempt, denying a game-winning two-point conversion and leading the Denver Broncos past the Washington Commanders for their ninth-consecutive victory.

Bonitto's play capped a hectic 27-26 Sunday Night Football victory in Landover, Md. The Commanders held advantages of 30-23 in first downs, 419-402 in total yards and 35:00 to 32:13 in time of possession, but the Broncos' elite defense ultimately sealed the triumph.

"We've been battle-tested all year," Bonitto, who also logged a sack, told reporters. "There's no situation that we're new to. It was just a matter of just finding another way to win, and we did that."

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix totaled 321 passing yards and a score, but also threw an interception. Running back R.J. Harvey scored twice in the victory. Mariotta threw for 294 yards, two scores and an interception.

Sunday's game featured four lead changes and was tied 20-20 at the end of regulation. Harvey ran for a 5-yard score on the first possession of overtime. The Commanders responded with an 11-play, 65-yard drive, which ended with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Mariota to Terry McLaurin.

Mariotta proceeded to take the next snap for a two-point conversion attempt. He drifted back before leaning on his back foot and lofting the ball to his left. But Bonitto, who is wearing a cast to protect his injured wrist, managed to knock the ball out of the air, cementing a Broncos road victory.

Broncos kicker Wil Lutz made a 33-yard field goal on the game's opening drive for a 3-0 lead. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw intercepted Mariota early in the first quarter, leading to another Lutz field goal and 6-0 edge.

The Commanders answered with an 11-play, 71-yard touchdown drive, capped with an 8-yard Chris Rodriguez run, to take their first lead of the night.

Nix threw an 11-yard touchdown toss to Courtland Sutton on the next possession to give the lead back to the Broncos. Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks hauled in a magnificent one-handed touchdown snag on the first drive of the second half, leading to a 14-13 advantage.

But Harvey followed with a 1-yard touchdown run about six minutes later. Commanders kicker Jake Moody cut the deficit to three with a 38-yard field goal 2:23 into the fourth quarter. He split the uprights again for a 32-yard field goal as time expired in regulation to force overtime.

Nix completed four-consecutive passes to get the Broncos to the Commanders 5-yard line to start the bonus period. Harvey ran for his second touchdown on the next snap. Mariota completed a 38-yard pass to Deebo Samuel to get the Commanders to the Broncos 2-yard line on the next drive. He threw his touchdown pass to McLaurin four plays later before being denied on his game-winning attempt.

"The journey of a good team's season involves games like this," Broncos coach Sean Payton said. "And then you believe you can do it again."

The Broncos (10-2) will look to extend their nine-game winning streak against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) at 4:05 p.m. EST Sunday in Las Vegas. The Raiders are on a six-game skid.

The Commanders (3-9), who are on a seven-game losing streak, will take on the Minnesota Vikings (4-8) at 1 p.m. Sunday in Minneapolis.