Never mind all the doom and gloom about the failure of the Commanders’ season. The Sons of Washington played a tough game against the 9-2 Denver Broncos, who are riding nine-game winning streak en route to a playoff run.
The Commanders fought to the final whistle. Dan Quinn went down swinging with a two point conversion attempt for the win, rather than settling for a tie.
There was plenty to inspire hope for a better 2026, by way of stand-out performances by young players including Josh Conerly Jr,
Mike Sainristil, Jordan Magee and Kain Medrano, as well as established veterans Terry McLaurin, Jeremy McNichols, Laremy Tunsil, Sam Cosmi, Frankie Luvu and Tress Way.
Let’s see who played where and how they all did.
Biggest Plays of the Game
Expected Points Added (EPA) quantifies the contribution of individual plays to a team’s scoring potential on a drive. These are all the plays with EPA greater than 2.4 or less than -2.4.
Biggest Plays for the Commanders
OT 3.58, 3rd and 14 at DEN 40: Marcus Mariota pass complete deep right to Deebo Samuel for 38 yards. EPA 5.32
Q3 11:30, 3rd and 9 at DEN 16: Marcus Mariota pass complete short middle to Terry McLaurin for 13 yards. EPA 3.32
OT 2:50, 4th and 3 at DEN 3: Marcus Mariota pass complete short left to Terry McLaurin for 3 yards, touchdown. EPA 2.96
Q4 0:52, 4th and 6 at DEN 45: Marcus Mariota pass complete short middle to Zach Ertz for 8 yards. EPA 2.85
Q3 10:02, 3rd and 5 at DEN 5: Marcus Mariota pass complete short right to Treylon Burks for 5 yards, touchdown. EPA 2.74
OT 5:29, 4th and 6 at DEN 41: Marcus Mariota pass short right is intercepted by Brandon Jones at DEN-35 and returned for no gain. Penalty on Talanoa Hufanga: Defensive Pass Interference, 5 yards, no play – Commanders’ first down. EPA 2.65
Q1 0:34, 3rd and 13 at DEN 39: Jeremy McNichols right tackle for 16 yards. EPA 2.49
Q4 2:17, 4th and 1 at WAS 35: Jeremy McNichols up the middle for 2 yards. EPA 2.44
Q4 14:13, 3rd and 8 at DEN 33: Bo Nix pass short middle intended for Pat Bryant is intercepted by Bobby Wagner at DEN-42 and returned for 6 yards. EPA -3.22
Biggest Plays for the Broncos
Q2 11:06, 4th and 1 at WAS 45: Bo Nix pass complete short left to Adam Trautman for 22 yards. EPA 3.77
Q3 5:24, 3rd and 5 at WAS 24: Bo Nix pass complete short right to Pat Bryant for 21 yards. EPA 3.44
Q3 7:26, 3rd and 11 at DEN 40: Bo Nix pass complete deep left to Courtland Sutton for 31 yards. EPA 3.34
Q2 0:28, 2nd and 10 at WAS 11: Bo Nix pass complete short middle to Courtland Sutton for 11 yards, touchdown. EPA 2.86
OT 8:27, 1st and 10 at DEN 48: Bo Nix pass complete short middle to Evan Engram for 41 yards. EPA 2.71
Q2 14:33, 2nd and 6 at DEN 19: Marcus Mariota pass short left intended for Chris Rodriguez is intercepted by Dre Greenlaw at DEN-7 and returned for 27 yards. EPA -3.22
OFFENSE
Marcus Mariota completed 28/50 passes for 294 yds, 2 TD and 1 INT, while taking 2 sacks for 18 yds. He was also the Commanders’ leading rusher, with 10 carries for 55 yds (5.5 Y/A) and 5 first downs (60% Success Rate).
Mariota committed his third intentional grounding penalty of the season with 1:25 remaining in regulation. It turned out to be a very big play for the Broncos (EPA – 2.23).
Mariota’s performance achieved a 57.8 Total QBR, which ranked 19th among starting QBs in Week 13, and was only his third best mark of the season.
Jeremy McNichols got the most playing time of the RBs and led the team in Rushing Success Rate at 66.7%. He took 6 carries for 30 yds (5.0 Y/A), including two conversions on third and fourth downs. McNichols earned the tough yards, as he has done for much of the season. He averaged just 0.33 Yards Before Contact/Attempt per PFF or 1.0 YBC/Att per PFR.
McNichols was targeted twice as a receiver and made 2 receptions for 0 yds. That might not seem like much, but he had an ADOT of -4.5 yds and gained 9 Yards After the Catch.
Chris Rodriguez had the most rushing attempts (11), yards (41) and TDs (1) of the RBs, but had the lowest rushing average at 3.7 Y/A. He gained 2 rushing first downs and achieved a 54.5% Rushing Success Rate. He had a slightly easier time finding room to run, with an average of 0.91 YBC/Att per PFF (1.1 YBC/Att per PFR). Rodriguez had passing target and 0 receptions.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt took 4 carries for 20 yds (5.0 Y/A) and 1 first down (Success Rate 50%).
In his long-awaited return from injury, Terry McLaurin did not disappoint with 7 rec/14 tgt for 96 yds, 6 first downs and 1 TD (Success Rate 42.9%), with 1 drop (Drop Rate 7.1%). Per PFF, McLaurin had an ADOT of 16.3 yds. McLaurin was the most productive Commanders’ WR, at a respectable 2.91 Yards/Route Run.
McLaurin was flagged for a 5 yard false start penalty on the Commanders’ final drive in regulation.
Deebo Samuel finished in second place of the position group, with 64 receiving yds and 3 first downs from 5 REC and 7 tgt (57.1% Success Rate). Deebo caught 71.4% of his targets at an ADOT of 8.6 yds and gained 4.4 YAC/Rec. He was second among the WRS in receiving productivity at 1.49 Y/RR. Deebo had two rushing attempts for 0 yds.
Treylon Burks was the only other WR with a reception. He was targeted 4 times and made 1 one-handed catch in the back of the end zone for a TD. It was a spectacular catch that will make the season highlight reel.
Jaylin Lane was targeted once with no reception.
Zach Ertz led the Commanders in receptions (10), receiving yards (106), and receiving first downs (6, tie with Terry McLaurin), and contested catches (2, 66.7% contested catch rate – team rank 2). Ertz caught 10/13, targets (76.9%) at an ADOT of 10.3 yds. PFF credits him with a dropped pass, but PFR does not. He was the Commanders’ third most productive receiver at a very respectable 2.47 Y/RR.
John Bates caught 2/2 targets for 9 yds. He is normally among the team’s best blockers. Against Denver, PFF gave him fairly pedestrian blocking grades: Run 51.1, Pass 25.8. He took 15.2% of offensive snaps lined up at fullback.
Ben Sinnott was not targeted as a receiver. He took 26.7% of offensive snaps lined up at fullback, which clears the threshold to call that his position. He ran routes on 3 snaps and spent the other 12 snaps as a blocker. PFF gave him a 45.3 run block grade and a 71.5 pass block grade.
Colson Yankoff led all Commanders in receiving productivity, at an elite-level 4.67 Y/RR. He caught 1/1 target for 14 yards out of a total of 3 routes run.
The offensive line had a great day against one of the NFL’s best defensive fronts.
LT Laremy Tunsil allowed 1 sack and 1 hurry in 59 pass blocking snaps for a 3.4% Pressure Rate, which is very good for an OT. While allowing a sack is not good, if you run enough pass pass plays, eventually pass rushers will get through. 59 dropbacks is a lot to defend. His 82.4 run block grade was the second highest on the team.
Tunsil collected his first penalty since Week 6, for a false start in the third quarter.
LG Chris Paul allowed 1 QB hit in 59 dropbacks, for a very respectable 1.7% Pressure Rate. His 52.5 run block grade was fairly ordinary.
C Tyler Biadasz allowed 2 QB hurries, for a 3.4% Pressure Rate, which is fairly high for an iOL. This season he has allowed pressures on 3.2% of dropbacks. He graded in the good range in run blocking at 62.9, per PFF.
G Sam Cosmi appears to be fully recovered from injury and even building from where he left off. He allowed no pressures in pass protection and was the highest graded run blocker on the team at 90.4. In fact, he had PFF’s third highest run blocking grade among offensive linemen in Week 13.
RT Josh Conerly Jr has been on a steady ascent following his baptism by fire to start his NFL career. Against Denver’s highly regarded defensive line, he allowed no pressures in pass protection and received a 73.4 run block grade (Team Rank: 3).
The rookie collected his 11th flag from the officials for offensive holding in OT. The following graph shows his progression as a blocker through his rookie season:
A Pressure Rate below 6% in pass protection is a good predictor of long term success at OT. Conerly’s performance was up and down early in the season. Around game 9, against Seattle, things seemed to click, and he has been on an encouraging trajectory ever since. The switch flipped a little earlier in run blocking. He started on a steady upward trajectory in Week 6, and has been consistently highly rated since Week 8.
DEFENSE
Jacob Martin’s productivity dipped, following his peak before the bye. He recorded 1 tackle, and 3 QB hurries in 34 pass rush snaps (Pressure Rate 8.8%). PFF recorded 1 missed tackle, which PFR did not see. He dropped into coverage twice and was targeted both times, allowing 1 rec for 12 yds per PFF. PFR recorded 1 tgt/0 rec.
Preston Smith recorded 2 tackle assists and 1 QB hit according to official league stats. PFF recorded an additional 3 QB hurries for a total pressure rate of 20%, which is very good. He contributed to 1 run stop in just 11 plays in run defense, for a respectable 9.1% Run Stop Rate. PFF charges him with 2 missed tackles. PFR counted none.
Von Miller had 1 tackle and 1 QB hit, per NFL stats. PFF also recorded 2 QB hurries (Pressure Rate 13.6%). According to PFF he played 1 coverage snap and was targeted for a 6 yd completion. PFR had him at 2/2 for 11 yds.
International Program player T.J. Maguranyanga recorded 1 tackle assist, which marks his first NFL stat.
Daron Payne came back from his suspension as a force in run defense. He tallied 2 tackles and 3 assists, with 1 TFL. These included 3 run stops in 14 rushing downs, for an impressive 21.4% Run Stop Rate. He recorded no stats in 30 pass rush snaps.
Javon Kinlaw was almost Payne’s mirror image. PFF credits him with 4 QB hurries in 31 pass rush attempts (12.9% Pressure Rate) and 1 missed tackle.
Eddie Goldman made 1 tackle and 3 assists. These included 2 run stops in just 11rushing downs, for an 18.2% Run Stop Rate, reminiscent of his early career.
Johnny Newton and Sheldon Day each had statistical output was 1 QB hurry, per PFF.
Jordan Magee had a breakout performance in run defense. Despite just playing 34% as many snaps as his senior colleagues, he had comparable output, with 3 tackles and 3 assists. These included 4 run stops in 12 rushing downs, for a team-leading 33.3% Run Stop Rate.
In 8 coverage snaps, he was targeted 3 times for 3 receptions and 20 yds, per PFF. PFR recorded 2 rec for14 yds.
Frankie Luvu’s performance was reminiscent of last season. He filled up the stat sheet with 1 tackle, 3 assists, 1 sack, 2 QB hits, 1 TFL, 1 PBU, and 1 FF. PFF counted an additional pressure for an elite-level 23.1% Pressure Rate in the pass rush. In coverage, PFF counted 1 tgt for a 5 yd completion; while PFR recorded 2 tgts/0 rec. PFF counted 2 missed tackles, but PFR had 0.
Bobby Wagner led the team in combined tackles, with 3 lead efforts and 5 assists. He also had 1 missed tackle and 0 stops. In 47 coverage snaps, he was targeted 7 times, allowing 4 rec for 69 yds per PFF, with 1 INT. PFR counted 9 tgt/5 rec for 80 yds.
Mike Sainristil moved outside to RCB and had his best day in coverage since the Week 5 game against the Chargers. According to PFF, in 49 coverage snaps, he allowed just 4 receptions for 22 yards. At 0.49 Y/Cov Snp, his rate of yardage allowed in coverage places him in the “shutdown corner” range.
Sainristil recorded 3 tackles and 3 assists, with 2 stops and no misses.
Jonathan Jones manned the left corner, where he allowed 5 rec for 49 yds in 49 coverage snaps (1.0 Y/Cov Snaps). His rate of yardage allowed was in the normal range for boundary corners.
Jones made 5 tackles and 1 assist with 3 stops. PFF recorded 1 missed tackle. PFR did not.
Noah Igbinoghene made 3 tackles, 3 assists and 1 PBU, with 2 stops and 1 missed tackle. He played 36 coverage snaps in the slot and was targeted 5 times. PFF recorded 3 rec for 39 yds (1.08 Y/Cov Snap). PFR rated him a little worse with 4 rec for 46 yds (1.28 Y/Cov Snp).
Quan Martin bounced back to his full time role at FS, after a dip in playing time in Madrid. He recorded 2 tackles and 5 assists, with no stops. In 47 coverage snaps, he had 2 targets and allowed 1 rec for 16 yds.
Will Harris played his first game after rehabbing from a fibula fracture suffered in Week 3. He played predominant at strong safety and recorded 4 tackles and 2 assists with 1 PBU. He had a rough day in coverage, playing 40 snaps and allowing 5 tgt, 4 rec, 62 yds and 1 TD.
Jeremy Reaves recorded 2 tackles, 4 assists and 1 PBU, with 1 stop and 1 missed tackle. In 21 coverage snaps, he was targeted 3 times, allowing 2 rec for 21 yds.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jake Moody was steady as a rock on place kicks, connecting on field goal attempts from 32 and 38 yds, and was a perfect 2/2 on extra points.
Tress Way averaged 42.3 yds on 4 punts, landing 3 inside the Denver 20 yard line. These resulted in 2 fair catches, 1 downed, and 1 returned for 10 yards. Tressler leads all NFL punters with more than 1 attempt, at just 3.8 yards per return. His next closest competition is Arizona’s Pat O’Donnell at 5.0 YPR. This is a testament to Way’s punting, as a well as Washington’s league-best coverage unit.
Zach Triner had big shoes to fill, stepping in for injured long snapper Tyler Ott. The Commanders’ snapping game did not miss a beat in his rock steady hands. He was not mentioned once in the entire game.
Deebo Samuel took over kick return duties and performed competently, running back 4 attempts for 114 yds (28.5 YPA), with a long of 35.
Jeremy McNichols also took two snaps at kick returner, with 1 return for 15 yds.
Jaylin Lane had 1punt return attempt for 0 yds and made 1 fair catch.
2025 sixth round pick Kain Medrano had something of a breakout game in special teams coverage. His 3 tackles and 1 assist tied for the NFL lead in Week 13 with Christian Ellis of the Patriots. However, unlike Ellis, Medrano had no missed tackles, making him the Week 13 Special Teams tackle leader. Who said he can’t tackle?
Jeremy Reaves, Mike Sainristil and Antonio Hamilton each had a tackle in coverage. However, Antonio Hamilto gets a demerit point for a missed tackle.
