Commanders used screen game to take advantage of Broncos’ defense
There are many reasons why the Broncos blew an 18-point lead to the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Their inability to stop Commanders quarterback Sam Howell’s screen passes was one of them.
Denver was clinging to a 24-21 lead at the start of the fourth quarter when Howell threw a short pass to his left to running back Antonio Gibson, who had plenty of green grass in front of him as he sped down the field for 36 yards. Two plays later, second-year running back Brian Robinson Jr. powered into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown to give the Commanders their first lead at 28-24.
As Washington faced a second-and-8 with 10:15 to go, the Broncos blitzed six defenders. With linebacker Josey Jewell and defensive end Zach Allen closing in, Howell dumped the ball off to Robinson, who took advantage of another open field near Washington’s sideline and ran 21 yards for a first down.
Eventually, Robinson scored on a 15-yard rushing touchdown, extending the Commanders’ lead to 35-24 with 7:11 left in regulation.
“It was just crucial parts of the game where we needed key stops,” Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II said after the game. “It’s frustrating as a defense because we have a standard for ourselves.”
In a chess match between two friends and former Colorado football teammates, Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy used the screen game to expose Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and pull off the 35-33 comeback win.
Howell went 7-for-7 for 92 yards while averaging 13.1 yards per attempt on screen passes, according to Pro Football Focus. Three of those screens went for 20-plus yards. Robinson caught two passes for 42 yards — both 21-yard gains.
“I think the screen game was one of the main things that won us this game,” Howell said. “The (running backs) did a good job. The offensive line did a good job in space. We were getting to the screens because those guys were kind of teeing off. Getting to those screens was huge for us.”
Head coach Sean Payton was disappointed about Denver’s defense, which allowed 21 points and 198 total yards in the second half. Inside linebacker Alex Singleton said the Commanders had a good game plan, but the defense should’ve done a better job at getting stops.
“(When it comes to) screens and reverses, you have to get to the ball,” Singleton said. “Collectively, we need to be better at it.”
Extra Points
• Payton is not used to watching big leads crumble before his eyes. Entering Sunday, Payton-led teams were 72-0 — playoffs included — when leading by at least 18 points, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
• Quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked seven times — tied for the most he has been taken down in a game during his career. Wilson was sacked 55 times in 2022. Broncos center Lloyd Cushenberry III thought Washington’s pass rush fed off the momentum in the second half.
“They got comfortable and got home a few times,” Cushenberry said. “Most of the mistakes are on us and we gotta clean that up moving forward.”
• Denver’s red zone defense has been a problem. Opponents have scored TDs on 5 of 7 red-zone trips against the Broncos through two games. On Sunday, Washington scored a touchdown on all three visits to the red zone. “We didn’t help them with the field position, but our red zone defense was poor,” Payton said.
• Howell avoided throwing in Surtain’s direction. The All-Pro cornerback was targeted twice, allowing a pair of catches for 17 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. He was also called for defensive pass interference in the third quarter. Second cornerback Damarri Mathis was targeted eight times, allowing seven catches for 83 yards, and was in coverage on Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin’s game-tying 30-yard touchdown catch with 11:47 remaining in the third quarter.
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