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Week 2 - Washington Commanders (1-0) @ Denver Broncos (0-1)
Nuts & Bolts
Date: September 17, 2023
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
How to Watch: CBS
Matchup History: Denver lead all-time series 8-7
Last Meeting: Denver def. Washington 17-10 on 10/31/21
Betting Lines: Via DraftKings
Spread: Washington +3.5
Over/Under: 38.5
Prediction: Washington 16, Denver 19
Official Game Notes: HERE
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Head Coach: Ron Rivera (4th season, 23-27-1 record in Washington)
Record: 1-0 (0-0, T-1st in NFC East)
Last Time Out: Def. Arizona 20-16 on 9/10
Highlights HERE
Player to Watch: Brian Robinson
It was far from convincing for Washington in Week 1 against Arizona.
The Commanders won the game 20-16, despite turning the ball over three times, including one that was returned for a touchdown.
Quarterback Sam Howell did not have a great day, turning the ball over twice while throwing for 202 yards and a touchdown. It was also not a great day for the Washington offensive line, who allowed 6 sacks of Howell. Only Daniel Jones of the Giants, who lost 40-0 to Dallas last week, was sacked more in Week 1.
The Washington rushing attack was solid in Week 1, with second-year back Brian Robinson taking the majority of the snaps.
Running Back Antonio Gibson fumbled in the redzone midway through the second quarter and did not carry the ball the rest of the game, leaving Robinson as the bell-cow for the rest of the game. Robinson finished with 59 yards on 17 carries to go along with a 7 yard receiving touchdown.
The Washington defense, however, was phenomenal, going the entire game without allowing a touchdown.
This week, they'll get Defensive End Chase Young back as well. If last week's game was any indicator, expect a low-scoring affair on Sunday at Mile High.
Head Coach: Sean Payton (1st season, 0-1 record in Denver)
Record: 0-1 (0-0, T-2nd AFC West)
Last Time Out: Lost vs. Las Vegas 17-16 on 9/10
Highlights HERE
Player to Watch: Russell Wilson
For the second straight season, the Denver Broncos started the year with a heartbreaking 17-16 Week 1 loss.
Unlike last year, with the loss coming in Russell Wilson’s return to Seattle, this loss came at home to a divisional opponent, the Las Vegas Raiders.
Denver led at the half and led midway through the fourth quarter but could not hang on to secure a win in Sean Payton’s first game as head coach.
In the game, Wilson passed for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns while the offense never turned it over. The Broncos simply did not make enough plays on offense and eventually the Raiders ran the clock out.
Wilson completed 27 passes to ten different receivers in the game, with no pass catcher finishing with more than 37 yards. On the ground, Running Back Javonte Williams finished with 52 yards on 13 carries in his first game back from a season ending injury that prematurely ended his 2022 rookie season.
It’s likely to be a battle in the trenches throughout the game and if Denver can win the turnover battle again against a Washington team that was prone to turnovers Week1, it should bode well for a team that is due for a break to fall its way.