Evan Engram Emerging as a Key Weapon in Broncos’ Surging Offense
For much of this season, Evan Engram has been something of a quiet figure in Denver’s offense - not absent, but certainly underutilized. That changed under the Sunday night lights against the Commanders, when the Broncos finally leaned into what Engram can bring to the table. And if what we saw was a preview of what’s to come, Denver just added another layer to an already red-hot team riding a nine-game win streak.
Coming into the game, Engram was averaging just 45% of the Broncos' offensive snaps - the lowest usage rate of his career. But against Washington, that number ticked up to 54%, and the difference was noticeable. The Broncos made a clear effort to get him involved, and the payoff was immediate.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing early. Engram and rookie quarterback Bo Nix misfired on their first two connections - a reminder that this chemistry is still a work in progress.
But credit both players for staying locked in. Instead of drifting away from the game plan, they kept coming back to each other.
The result? A steady stream of completions that culminated in one of the night’s biggest moments.
In overtime, with the game hanging in the balance, Engram found himself matched up against veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner - and he made it count. The Broncos' versatile tight end, often referred to as their “Joker” because of how he can line up all over the field, shook Wagner with a sharp cut and turned a short pass into a 41-yard catch-and-run. That play set the table for RJ Harvey’s second rushing touchdown of the night, sealing another hard-fought win for Denver.
“It feels great,” Engram said after the game. “It feels great just to make a big play like that for the team. Yeah, that feels good.”
Engram finished the night with six catches on nine targets for 79 yards - a stat line that doesn’t just reflect volume, but trust. Nix kept looking his way, and Engram kept delivering.
As the Broncos continue their climb in the AFC, this developing connection between Nix and Engram could become a real difference-maker. Engram’s ability to create mismatches against linebackers - especially in one-on-one situations - adds a new wrinkle to Sean Payton’s offense. It’s the kind of evolution that could make Denver even tougher to defend as the playoff race tightens.
The Broncos have been winning with defense, a strong ground game, and smart quarterback play. But if Engram becomes a consistent weapon down the stretch, this team might be just scratching the surface of what it can be offensively.