Denver Edges Washington 17-10

October 31, 2021

By Noonefromtampa

First Quarter

Denver won the toss and deferred, so Washington started on offense. The first series featured a couple of key plays by J.D. McKissic, including receptions of 8 and 27 yards. After a 10 yard scramble by Heinicke, Washington ran Jaret Patterson three straight times. On fourth and short they elected to pass, but Ricky Seals-Jones was unable to haul the ball in, so they turned it over on downs.

Denver responded with its own 13 play drive, with the key play being a 31 yard completion from Teddy Bridgewater to Courtland Sutton over Benjamin St-Juste. The play came one play after Bobby McCain dropped a sure interception by trying to run before securing the ball. Denver’s offense then went into a funk, being flagged for both offensive holding and ineligible man downfield, along with a 4 yard sack by James Smith-Williams. Denver failed to convert on third and 29 with an incomplete pass and was forced to punt.

On Washington’s next possession, after a short return by DeAndre Carter, Washington was able to move the ball behind a 15 yard face mask penalty and a 17 yard completion to Terry McLaurin.  After Patterson picked up 8 yards on two carries, McKissic caught a short pass for an apparent first down. After originally calling it a first down, the officiating crew revered themselves and called it fourth down. Coach Ron Rivera challenged the call and upon review it was upheld, which resulted in a first down. Antonio Gibson caught a 13 yard completion but the drive stalled at that point. Chris Blewitt’s 45 yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Denver 0, Washington 0

Second Quarter

Denver was able to move the ball downfield with a 31 yard completion from Bridgewater to Tim Patrick. Landon Collins was able to sack Bridgewater two plays later setting up a third and 14 which Denver failed to convert. Brandon McManus converted his 45 yard field goal attempt.

Washington was able to respond by completing a 20 yard swing pass to Cam Sims and a 12 yard completion to Adam Humphries. Taylor Heinicke was sacked on and third and six, leading to a 52 yard field goal attempt, which Blewitt converted. Unfortunately, Chase Roullier was injured on this series ad taken off the field in an air cast after having another player roll up on his leg.

Denver ‘s next drive featured two key plays by Albert Okwuegbunam, receptions of 12 and 19 yards. Another 19 yard catch by Patrick put Denver in the redzone. Melvin Gordon who had picked up nine yards on the drive, then caught a 15 yard touchdown pass outrunning the coverage to the pylon. McManus converted the extra point.

Washington was able to move the ball behind a 17 yard completion to Carter and a 14 yard completion to Seals-Jones. McKissic picked up 7 yards on first down, but Heinicke threw it away on second down and was sacked for a 10 yard loss on third down, taking them out of field goal range. The fourth down “Hail Mary” was intercepted in the endzone by Justin Simmons.

Denver 10, Washington 3

Third Quarter

Washington was able to hold Denver to a short 8 play, 19 yard drive to open the second half. After picking up one first down, excellent tackling by St-Juste and Danny Johnson stopped the drive.

After a 48 yard punt by Sam Martin backed Washington up to their own 8 yard line, Wes Schweitzer committed a holding penalty backing up the offense even further. The next two plays got Washington back to the original line of scrimmage, but Heinicke was sacked on third down. Tress Way punted it 66 yards and Kendall Hinton returned it 15 yards.

Washington was able to force a three and out on Denver’s next series when Landon Collins tackled Gordon for a four yard loss on third and one. Another good punt from Martin started Washington on their own 6 yard line.

After the punt, Washington was able to put together their best drive of the game, if not the season, going 94 yards in 10 plays, culminating in a 20 yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Carter, his NFL first receiving touchdown. Patterson gained 24 yards rushing on the drive, including a 13 yard run. Humphries had the big play of a 23 yard reception to move the ball deep into Broncos’ territory. Blewitt converted the extra point.

Denver 10, Washington 10

Fourth Quarter

Denver next drive was a strange one, going 12 plays but picking up only 30 yards aided by a 15 yard roughing the passer call on Jamin Davis. Deron Payne picked up a sack after Bridgewater’s foot was stepped on by the center and he fell to the ground. The positive plays on that drive were an 11 yard pass to Javonte Williams and 11 yard run by Gordon. The McManus 53 yard field goal was just wide right giving the ball back to Washington.

Washington’s drive started with two 12 yard runs, one by Gibson and an end around by McLaurin.  Patterson’s 4 yard run took it down to the Denver 29 but two straight incompletions led to a 4^th and 6 to go situation. Blewitt attempted a 47 yard field which was again blocked.

Denver was able to drive the ball down the field and scored a 7 yard Gordon rushing touchdown to take the lead again with 4:27 remaining. The drive featured receptions of 14 yards by Patrick, 9 yards by Sutton and 18 yards by Jerry Jeudy, plus a 14 yard run by Williams. Despite a sack by Jonathan Allen on the drive, the Washington could not close the deal on third down yet again.

Washington responded quickly, opening the drive with a 19 yard catch and run by McKissic. Washington converted some key third downs courtesy of a Dax Milne 22 yard reception and a 14 yard catch by Carter. After getting the ball down to Denver’s 7 yard line, Heinicke was sacked again for a 13 yard loss on third down. On fourth down, Simmons once again intercepted Heinicke in the endzone.

With less than a minute to go, Denver made some questionable decisions, including calling a running play that resulted in Chase Young forcing a fumble giving Washington the ball back deep in Broncos’ territory. Ereck Flowers was injured on the first incompletion and Heinicke was sacked on second down. Heinicke threw incompletions on the next two downs to end the game.

Denver 17, Washington 10

Heroes

Landon Collins had probably his best game of the season and seems to handling his new role well.

Jaret Patterson picked up 46 yards on 11 carries.

J.D. McKissic had 83 yards on 8 receptions.

Jonathan Allen continues to have a strong season.

Zeroes

Quarterback play is the bane of this season, with missed receivers, inopportune sacks and interceptions all coming into play.  In the last three games, the Washington offense has scored 10 points in the second half, a dismal showing.

The ability to stop opposing teams consistently on third down continues to plague the defense.