On a chilly Sunday night under the lights, the Washington Commanders found themselves in a gritty back-and-forth with the Denver Broncos. It’s been that kind of season for Washington-short on wins, long on questions-but in the middle of a hard-fought drive to open the second half, they got a flash of something special. And it didn’t come from the quarterback.
Marcus Mariota, stepping in for the injured Jayden Daniels, led the Commanders on a solid scoring drive coming out of the break. But the moment that turned heads came courtesy of wide receiver Treylon Burks, who hauled in a jaw-dropping one-handed touchdown grab that immediately lit up highlight reels and social media feeds alike.
Let’s talk about that catch.
Burks, who joined Washington this year after being cut by the Tennessee Titans, hasn’t had the smoothest ride in the NFL. A former first-round pick, he was drafted by Tennessee in the wake of the A.J.
Brown trade-a move that came with sky-high expectations he never quite met. Before this game, Burks had just one career touchdown, scored during his rookie season.
But this grab? This one was different.
This was the kind of play that makes coaches take a longer look, especially when roster decisions loom.
Matched up against Broncos cornerback Riley Moss in the red zone, Burks didn’t just win the route-he stole the moment. Moss isn’t a slouch, either.
While Patrick Surtain II usually draws the top assignment in Denver’s secondary, Moss has carved out a respectable role of his own. But on this snap, Burks elevated above the coverage and snagged the ball with one hand, channeling shades of Odell Beckham Jr.’s iconic grab.
It was the kind of catch that makes you forget the stat lines and remember the talent.
And it couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Commanders’ receiving corps has been running on fumes lately. With Noah Brown and Luke McCaffrey still sidelined, the return of Terry McLaurin gave the offense a much-needed lift.
McLaurin made his presence felt early, coming back from injury and making a few key grabs. But with depth still thin, Burks had an opportunity-and he made the most of it.
This version of Washington’s offense looks nothing like the one that broke camp in the summer. Injuries have reshaped the depth chart, and with Daniels out, Mariota is trying to steady the ship.
To their credit, the offensive line held up well early against a Broncos defense that’s known for wearing teams down as the game progresses. But as the night wore on, Denver’s defense started to do what it does best-ratchet up the pressure and force mistakes.
Still, in a season that’s drifted far from its original script, that touchdown from Burks was a reminder that there are still moments worth watching. The Commanders may be playing out the string with little left in the playoff picture, but individual performances like Burks’ can reshape careers. He’s still got something to prove, and with more catches like that, he just might earn himself a longer runway heading into 2026.
For now, the Commanders will take the spark wherever they can get it. And on this night, it came from a receiver who’s been waiting for a second chance-and made the most of it with one hand.