Dan Quinn wanted to see a positive response from his players after getting some time to reflect over the bye week. The Washington Commanders' season hasn't gone well, but the head coach urged his squad to display the resolve needed to gain some respectability from a lost campaign.
That wouldn't be easy against the in-form Denver Broncos, who were heading in the opposite direction. Sean Payton's men had an eight-game winning run to protect on Sunday Night Football. Not many gave the Commanders a chance of being competitive, but it didn't take long to realize this was going to be a lot closer than the experts initially envisaged.
It was a pulsating encounter. Momentum swung back and forth, but a strong end to the contest saw Washington take it to overtime. And when they matched Denver's touchdown, Quinn wanted to seal the victory outright by going for two.
This was the correct call. The Commanders were 3-8 and going nowhere fast. The play-call was perfect, leaving running back Jeremy McNichols wide open. Unfortunately, veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota couldn't lift his pass over edge rusher Nik Bonitto, and Washington lost the game.
Even so, there were far more positives than negatives to take from the contest. With this in mind, here are five winners and two losers as Washington fell to its ninth defeat of the season in dramatic fashion.
Winners and losers from the Commanders' heartbreaking loss against the Broncos
Winner No. 1
Zach Ertz - Commanders TE
The Washington Commanders' offense relied heavily on veteran tight end Zach Ertz to move the chains in Week 13. Aside from a couple of concentration lapses, it was a highly productive evening at the office for the three-time Pro Bowler.
Ertz was finding the soft spots in coverage extremely well. It was a tiring outing, especially for an aging player. Fatigue began to show near the end, but there was a lot to like about the way he dug deep. And the Commanders wouldn't have kept this game so competitive without him.
The former Stanford standout brought in no fewer than 10 receptions from 13 targets for 106 receiving yards. Ertz passed Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe on the all-time list for tight end receptions, and he'd have also had a touchdown if not for a drop.
With nobody else in the tight end room offering anything in the passing game, a strong end to the campaign could see Ertz rewarded with a new deal. But that could still legitimately go either way right now.
Winner No. 2
Laremy Tunsil - Commanders OT
Going up against the vaunted Denver Broncos pass-rush represented a daunting proposition for the offensive line. They led the league in sacks by a comfortable margin heading into the prime-time clash, and most fans were anticipating a difficult night for the Washington Commanders' protection in front of veteran signal-caller Marcus Mariota.
It wasn't easy, but they held up well under challenging circumstances. And perhaps unsurprisingly, five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil put on another pass protection clinic with the national NFL audience watching on.
The Commanders might be struggling this season, but Tunsil is playing like an All-Pro. There was another false start penalty, which wasn't ideal, but the blindside enforcer was almost flawless aside from that. Considering he was doing all this on an island with tight end help going to the right-hand side, it made his performance all the more impressive.
Washington struck gold with Tunsil. The price was steep, but his influence cannot be overstated.
Loser No. 1
Johnny Newton - Commanders DL
The Commanders are not seeing enough from Johnny Newton this season. Most fans expected the second-year defensive tackle to gradually increase his role with a full offseason to hone his craft, but it's been largely underwhelming.
Newton was a non-factor against the Broncos. Head coach Dan Quinn clearly prefers the defensive tackle trio of Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, and Eddie Goldman, depending on the down and distance. The former Illinois standout is on the proverbial fringes, and although all hope is not lost just yet, there is a significant amount of hard work ahead to turn the tide.
Washington thought Newton was a steal at No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Injuries blighted his early transition, and it's been a slow burn after that. But until the interior presence develops into a well-rounded tackle capable of becoming more forceful against the run, it's hard to see how his role will change.
Winner No. 3
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
It's been a rollercoaster ride for cornerback Mike Sainristil this season. His switch to the slot didn't go as well as fans thought. Although his interception numbers were up, his feast or famine approach was something opposing offenses exploited with alarming frequency.
Sainristil has been switched back to the boundary after four-time Pro Bowl corner Marshon Lattimore and second-round rookie Trey Amos were both ruled out for the campaign. The Commanders didn't have much choice, but it provided the spark that ignited the Michigan product to brighter fortunes.
There is no doubt that Sainristil looks much more comfortable on the outside these days. There was urgency and aggression in everything he did versus the Broncos, adding an extra sense of fire to the secondary that had been sorely lacking previously.
The Commanders should make Sainristil a permanent feature outside the numbers moving forward. One only has to look at the growth being displayed in recent weeks to see that.
Winner No. 4
Josh Conerly Jr. - Commanders OT
As previously mentioned, the Washington Commanders' offensive line held up remarkably well in the face of stern opposition. And even though he got a lot more help than left tackle Laremy Tunsil, this was another accomplished outing from first-round rookie Josh Conerly Jr.
Conerly endured a baptism of fire to start his NFL career. The Commanders were willing to put up with growing pains, but their faith in the former Oregon standout never wavered during his transition to the right tackle spot. Those in power were rewarded with gradual growth, and the No. 29 overall selection in the 2025 draft has come to life over the second half of the campaign.
His footwork and hand placement have developed significantly. Conerly still needs to add some strength to his core base, but the trajectory is pointing up. With another offseason to hone his craft, the sky is the limit in 2026 and beyond.
Loser No. 2
Ben Sinnott - Commanders TE
Zach Ertz was nothing short of sensational throughout the game. That was great news for the Commanders, but it left Ben Suinnott on the outside looking in once again.
This has been the tale of Sinnott's two years in Washington so far. The Commanders didn't spend a second-round pick on the former Kansas State product for him to be a bit-part player. They wanted him to emerge gradually as a long-term replacement for Ertz, but the jury is still well and truly out on that one.
Sinnott was brought in for jumbo packages when extra protection was needed, but his involvement was fleeting. The calls to get him more involved as part of Washington's ongoing roster assessments are falling on deaf ears. If the same trend continues over the Commanders' remaining five games, it will tell fans all they need to know about how those in power perceive his development.
Winner No. 5
Terry McLaurin - Commanders WR
Everyone associated with the Commanders got a massive booing when wide receiver Terry McLaurin returned. He was reportedly going to be on a snap count after featuring just four times this season, but that went out of the window once this game became one Washington could win.
McLaurin couldn't have asked for a more formidable challenge to get back into the groove. The second-team All-Pro locked horns with reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, who was also making his comeback from a torn pectoral muscle. The battle went back and forth, but the wideout gave the shutdown corner a real test.
The Ohio State product had some trouble with his footwork on Washington's new field at Northwest Stadium. However, he still made a difference, recording seven catches on 14 receptions for 96 receiving yards and one touchdown.
This also proved how much the Commanders have missed McLaurin this season. Hopefully, his health worries are over, and he can end the campaign on the front foot.