Broncos’ fourth-quarter touchdown, late defensive…

The Broncos made several key plays on Sunday when it mattered most, including a pair of blocked field goals. One of those — courtesy of Dre’Mont Jones — kept the game tied at 10 and set up the Broncos’ go-ahead drive. On the Broncos’ ensuing possession, an 18-yard pass to Jerry Jeudy on third-and-8 was perhaps the most critical play. Jeudy, in his return from injury, came across the field and caught the ball near the left sideline to push the Broncos inside the Washington 30-yard line. A few plays later, the Broncos scored the touchdown that put them ahead for good.

The game then appeared over when Malik Reed strip-sacked Taylor Heinicke with just over a minute to play to set up a decisive fourth-and-19 and Justin Simmons picked off Heinicke in the end zone for his second pick of the day. Gordon fumbled the ball on the ensuing possession, though, and Washington got another chance. Washington couldn’t move the ball, though, and time expired on Washington’s final attempt at tying the game.

The Broncos’ offense put together a pair of drives that were enough to earn the win. In the second quarter, the Broncos marched 75 yards in seven plays to take a 10-3 lead. In the second half, the Broncos had an eight-play, 63-yard drive to take a 17-10 lead that decided the game. On the Broncos’ other six drives — excluding their final drive of the day — Denver recorded 135 total yards. While it wasn’t always perfect, Bridgewater and Co. did enough when it mattered to earn a victory.