Hidden in dramatic win were two potentially fatal flaws for the Broncos

It came down to one play. And Nik Bonitto made it. With the game on the line, the Broncos edge rusher deflected the Commanders two-point conversion attempt, helping his team escape with a 27-26 victory.

It was dramatic. It was thrilling. It was a nail biter.

The Broncos did what they do. They won a close game, notching their ninth-straight victory to move to 10-2 and atop the AFC standings.

But not everything was rosy on Sunday night. The current No. 1 seed in the conference showed two flaws, one on each side of the ball, that could be fatal come playoff time.

Overall, the Broncos offense was good against Washington. They put 27 points on the scoreboard and racked up 402 total yards. Bo Nix was stellar, completing 29 of 45 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown. And they marched 76 yards in just five plays to score what turned out to be the winning TD in OT.

But in the fourth quarter, with a chance to put the game away, Denver’s O was non-existent. Leading 20-14, a Nix interception ended a drive. Their next three possessions ended in punts, including a pair of three-and-outs.

The ineptitude allowed the Commanders to hang around. They were able to chip away, knotting the game at the end of regulation.

With the game on the line, the Broncos offense needs to be better. Nix can’t throw a pick at midfield. Sean Payton’s play calling needs to improve. And everyone else needs to step up.

Great teams put games away in the fourth quarter. With four opportunities to seal the deal on Sunday night, Denver came up empty in all four situations. As a result, the game came down to the final play, with the Broncos winning streak staying intact by the slimmest of margins.

But it wasn’t just the offense that shrunk late in the game. Denver’s much-ballyhooed defense also disappeared in the biggest moment.

Leading 20-17 with three minutes to play, the Broncos allowed Marcus Mariota and company to move 71 yards on 18 plays to set up the game-tying field goal. The Commanders overcame a third-and-25, converted a fourth down and had two shots at scoring a touchdown before settling for a short kick.

It didn’t end there. After Denver scored to take a 27-20 lead in overtime, the Broncos defense had a chance to close the deal. Technically, they did, but it wasn’t in impressive fashion.

Mariota marched his team down the field, scoring a touchdown after an 11-play, 65-yard drive. Along the way, the Broncos allowed another fourth-down conversion and gave up a 38-yard completion on third-and-14. They couldn’t get a stop when they needed it. They couldn’t make a play with the game on the line.

Until Bonitto did. And he bailed out the Broncos.

But that doesn’t hide two huge concerns from Sunday night’s game. In crunch time, Denver’s offense and defense both disappeared.

They were able to survive against Washington, a three-win team that has lost seven games in a row. But that won’t always be the case. Against a good team, against a non-journeyman QB, those two flaws could be fatal.

In the fourth quarter and overtime, the Broncos offense and defense weren’t good enough on Sunday night. And that needs to change in a hurry.

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