Commanders’ Tackles Shine in Gritty OT Loss to Broncos, Offering Glimpse of What’s Possible
The Washington Commanders were a fingertip away - literally - from flipping the script in Week 13. Instead, Nik Bonitto’s last-gasp effort helped seal a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, and Washington dropped to 3-9 on the season. But if you’re only looking at the final score, you’re missing the real story.
This wasn’t a team going through the motions. This was a squad that went toe-to-toe with the NFL’s hottest team, pushed through a barrage of adversity - including some head-scratching officiating - and still managed to take it to overtime. And they did it with a mix of veteran poise, emerging talent, and a game plan that finally clicked.
Let’s start with the most encouraging sign of the night: the Commanders’ offensive tackles. Against the most ferocious pass rush in football, Laremy Tunsil and rookie Josh Conerly Jr. held their ground - and then some.
Holding the Line Against the League's Best
Denver came into this game leading the NFL in sacks. Their front seven is a nightmare, with Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper combining for 18 sacks and Zach Allen adding six of his own - numbers that would make any offensive line coach lose sleep. Vance Joseph’s defense was averaging nearly 4.5 sacks per game, with a staggering 12% sack rate.
But on Sunday, Washington flipped that script. The Broncos brought Mariota down just twice on 52 dropbacks. That’s a sack rate under 4% - a massive win for an offensive line that’s been under the microscope all season.
A big part of that success came from Kliff Kingsbury’s offensive design. The quick passing game kept Denver’s edge rushers from pinning their ears back, and Marcus Mariota’s timing and mobility helped neutralize pressure. But none of it works without Tunsil and Conerly anchoring the edges.
Tunsil, the veteran presence brought in to protect Jayden Daniels’ blindside, has quietly been one of the Commanders’ most consistent performers. Even as the season has gone sideways, his play hasn’t dipped.
Against Bonitto and Cooper - two of the most explosive edge rushers in the league - Tunsil’s footwork, balance, and agility were on full display. He was flagged once for a false start and had a couple of close calls, but overall, he did what he’s paid to do: keep his quarterback upright.
Conerly’s Breakout Performance
Then there’s Josh Conerly Jr., who might’ve had the best night of his young career. The 22-year-old rookie hasn’t missed a snap all season, and his growth has been steady.
But this game? This was a leap.
Conerly looked smooth in pass protection and delivered some key blocks in the run game. On one standout play, he held his block against linebacker Que Robinson long enough for Mariota to find Terry McLaurin - a play that ended in an illegal contact flag on Patrick Surtain II. A few snaps later, he drove 290-pound John Franklin-Myers off the line, opening the lane for a Mariota scramble and first down.
Yes, there were growing pains. Conerly was flagged for a holding penalty late in the game, and Denver’s pressure still forced some hurried throws.
But when you’re a rookie lining up every snap against the best pass rush in football and you’re winning more than you’re losing? That’s a sign of big things to come.
McLaurin, Mariota, and a Glimpse of What Could Be
Terry McLaurin looked like the 2024 version of himself again - finally. He was sharp, explosive, and reliable in key moments.
Treylon Burks made a highlight-reel grab that’s sure to land on season-end lists. And Marcus Mariota, stepping in under center, delivered a gutsy performance that reminded everyone he still has something left in the tank.
Veteran tight end Zach Ertz also chipped in with a clutch performance, showing why he was brought in as a steadying force for this young offense. And while the result didn’t go their way, the Commanders showed something you can’t measure in the box score: fight.
A Loss, But Not Without Promise
The final result stings - no question. But if you’re the Commanders, you take this game and build on it.
You saw your rookie right tackle grow up under the lights. You saw your franchise wideout reemerge.
You saw your offensive line go toe-to-toe with the most dangerous pass rush in football - and hold their own.
There are no moral victories in the NFL, but there are turning points. And for Washington, this might just be one.