Game Preview, Week 2: Washington at Denver

September 15, 2023

by Steve Thomas

Washington had a successful start to the new 2023, thankfully, with a win over the Cardinals.  That game was a bit shaky at times, but at the end of the day, 1 – 0 is all that matters.  Next up are the Denver Broncos, which should be another good shot at a win.  The Broncos dropped their season opener to the Raiders at home in Denver.   Despite the travel, there’s no doubt that the Redskins Washington Football Team Commanders Washington coaches look at this contest as a must-win considering that the scheduling difficulty ramps up considerable in future weeks.  Washington certainly needs to improve in some areas, most notably the offensive line, in order to have a successful season.  Can they do it in Denver?  We’ll all find out late Sunday afternoon.  Our game preview starts below.

Game time & location:           Sunday, September 15, 2023, 4:25 p.m. ET, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO;                                                            Gates open 2:25 a.m. ET; parking lots open 11:25 a.m.

Television:                               CBS

Television announcers:          Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Aditi Kinkhabwala

TV broadcast map:                 click here

 

DC-area radio:                            BIG-100 (WBIG FM)

Washington radio network:     click here

Broncos radio network:           click here

Satellite radio:                             Sirius: 83 (Wash. broad.); SiriusXM: 227 (Wash. broad.); internet: 831

 

Washington roster:                 click here

Washington depth chart:       click here

Broncos roster:                       click here

Broncos depth chart:              click here

 

Records (2022): Washington 8 – 8 – 1 (away 4 – 3 – 1); Denver 5 – 12 (home 4 – 4)

All-time head-to-head record vs Broncos: 6 – 8 (last 10: 4 – 6; streak: 0 – 1)

Last meeting: L, October 31, 2021, 10 – 17

Early odds: Broncos, -3.5

3 KEYS TO THE GAME

Offensive line play

Washington’s offensive line needs to somehow do a better job in both pass protection and run blocking against Denver than they did last week against the Cardinals.  The Broncos aren’t a particularly threatening team from a pass rush perspective, so this might be a week that Washington could show a more improved performance.  Quarterback Sam Howell still needs time to get into a rhythm though, since he’s a young quarterback, and Washington’s line thusfar hasn’t done him too many favors.  Be sure to watch out for how much success this position group seems to be having early, because it might set the tone for the entire contest.

Pressure Russell Wilson

Wilson is obviously a scrambler and an improviser.  Throughout his career, he has shown a tendency to extend plays out of the pocket, then make fabulous passes on the run.  Washington needs to get significant pressure on Wilson while keeping him in the pocket.  This means that Washington’s ends, Montez Sweat and, presumably, James Smith-Williams, need to be disciplined.  The Broncos don’t have a ton of offensive weapons, but on a good day Wilson can be a multiplier who makes everyone better.  Washington needs to keep him in the pocket and under pressure in this contest.

Establish a run game

Washington has had a long-standing problem with effectiveness and efficiency in their run game, and nothing changed against the Cardinals last week, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry.  The Broncos aren’t a particularly good team in general, but they were a middle of the road team against the run last year.  Washington need to be able to establish a run game this week in order to keep the offense from having to constantly rely on the young quarterback and an offensive line that can’t pass block.  My advice, if Ron Rivera and company chooses to listen, would be to give more carries to rookie Chris Rodriguez; regardless, though, Washington needs to find a running game in order to increase the effectiveness of their offense.

3 KEY MATCHUPS

Terry McLaurin vs Patrick Surtain II

This is the highlight matchup of the game – Denver’s First Team All-Pro third year corner versus Washington’s Pro Bowl wide receiver.  McLaurin has at times been shut down by the better corners, so it would be nice to see a breakout game by him against a widely-respected defensive back.  This is the matchup to watch this weekend.  If McLaurin can make headway against Surtain, this almost certainly will open up Washington’s offense.    Keep a close eye on this battle.

Montez Sweat vs. Garett Bolles

Bolles has taken significant flak for his play, both last year and last week, at least by some.  In contrast, Washington’s #1 defensive end had one of the better games of his career last week against the Cardinals.  Sweat’s defense will need his talents against a quarterback like Wilson, who has a history of scrambling outside the pocket and off-plan plays.  Sweat should be able to take advantage of Bolles, so look for him to have another big game and to start to get more national attention.

Benjamin St-Juste vs Courtland Sutton

This is matchup is big receiver versus big corner.  Sutton has both some talent and the size to be somewhat of a mismatch against Washington’s corners, except the larger St-Juste.  Look for St-Juste to be paired against Sutton at times this game for that reason.  St-Juste is a player who needs to continue to prove his worth no that Washington has spent more high draft picks on his position group, and for him, it starts this week.

OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)

LP – limited practice                          FP – full practice                    DNP – did not practice

NIR – not injury related                      Q – questionable                     O – out

D – doubtful                                        NL – not listed

Washington	Broncos
DB J. Martin, concussion; Wed: DNP	TE G. Dulcich, hamstring; Wed: DNP
WR C. Samuel, hip; Wed: LP	OLB F. Clark, hip; Wed: LP
DE C. Young, neck; Wed: LP	WR J. Jeudy, hamstring; Wed: LP
G S. Cosmi, shoulder, Wed: FP	DT D.J. Jones, knee; Wed: LP
WR T. McLaurin, toe; Wed: FP	CB R. Mos, abdomen; Wed: LP

Steve’s Prediction

Washington is a better team than the Broncos, so they’ll get a win; however, since this is a long road game and the offense isn’t particularly effective, it’ll be a fairly close game.  Washington wins 20 – 17.