Bo Nix had a clear view from the Denver Broncos sideline as the Washington Commanders lined up for a final, high-stakes snap in overtime.
The rookie quarterback suspected Nik Bonitto was perfectly set to make the decisive stop before the ball even left Marcus Mariota’s hands.
Moments later, Bonitto broke free off the edge and batted down Mariota’s 2-point attempt, sealing a 27-26 win for the Broncos on Sunday night.
“I knew what defense we were in, and I kind of figured out the play, so I knew what was happening,” Nix said afterwards.
“I think the guy might have been open, but Nik did a great job of making that play.”
Denver appeared to have the game wrapped up in regulation, only for Washington to tie it at the end.
The Broncos then marched for a touchdown to start overtime, before the Commanders answered with an 11-play, 65-yard reply, capped by Terry McLaurin’s 3-yard grab on fourth-and-3. That set up the conversion that would decide it all.
Sean Payton said defensive coordinator Vance Joseph made a subtle but crucial adjustment during a timeout before the 2-point try, shifting into a look that could free up a rusher.
“We call it a Kodak situation where you have a timeout, the game’s going to end, so call the timeout, regroup, collect your thoughts,” Payton said. “The challenge in those plays are designed QB runs, which we were concerned with, we went from one pressure to another.
“But there’s going to be a free rusher if you pressure the way we did it. And you don’t know who’s going to be the free rusher because the protection, and so they left Nik free and the timing and everything was great.”
With all 11 defenders crowded close to the line, Bonitto took a wide alignment outside left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Washington failed to pick him up. As Mariota dropped back, Bonitto accelerated untouched, leapt, and deflected the throw with his right hand – still in a cast since Week 3.
Drama had already struck earlier in overtime. Denver thought they had ended the game when Brandon Jones intercepted a fourth-down pass, only for a pass interference flag on Talanoa Hufanga to bring the play back. Payton admitted he briefly believed the result was sealed.
“[That’s] the first time for me in I don’t know how many years as a head coach where I took [off] the quarterback to helmet [radio],” Payton said. “We didn’t get the sack, interference was called – it’s never happened before.”
The win extends Denver’s streak to nine, their best run since the 11-game surge to end the 2012 regular season.
Six of their games this year have gone to the final snap – and the Broncos have come out on top in four of them.
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