Broncos vs. Redskins: Denver dominates preseason matchup with Washington in 29-17 victory

The Denver Broncos first and second team units came out and continued to build on its successes from the previous week. Against the Washington Redskins, it seemed like they were scoring on every offensive drive while shutting down the Redskins on the defensive side of things.

By the time Chad Kelly extended the Case Keenum 17-3 lead to 26-3, the Broncos offense had been unstoppable.

The would finish the game with a 29-17 victory over the Redskins for their first preseason win of 2018. The win should give us all a little hope that this team might be a lot better than people around the NFL realize.

First Quarter

Right off the bat after receiving the opening kickoff, freshly-signed Adrian Peterson ripped off seven yards on the first snap of the game. However, Adam Gotsis brought Alex Smith down for a sack on second down to force a third and long. Smith was flushed outside and threw an incomplete pass to the sidelines to force a punt.

On the punt, Isaiah McKenzie tried to wave off Issac Yiadom on the punt and the ball hit Yiadom’s foot for a big mistake. Fortunately, McKenzie was able to fall on the ball for the recovery.

The Broncos were able to move the ball somewhat to open things up on their first drive, converting one third down before Case Keenum on the next third down conversion hit Phillip Lindsay in space who easily ran for a 17-yard gain and a first down out past midfield.

Keenum ended up with forever to throw, but found Courtland Sutton for the first down catch on the next throw. Two plays later, Emmanuel Sanders made a quick catch outside to setup a third and four. Keenum’s pass to Sanders on that play was knocked down at the last second to force a field goal attempt.

Brandon McManus was able to kick the 50-yard field goal to put the Broncos up 3-0 after their first offensive drive.

The Adrian Peterson show began the Redskins next drive with four straight carries for 14 yards, but a ticky-tack helmet penalty was called on Todd Davis for lowering his head to look down at Peterson who fell to the ground while running.

That sprung the Redskins drive into field goal range and three plays later on fourth down and three they would opt to go for it. Smith would complete a pass just short of the sticks to Vernon Davis, but Dymonte Thomas would make the stop for the turnover on downs.

Keenum wasted no time getting the Broncos offense going with a 27-yard back shoulder throw to Sutton for a big time first down into Redskins territory.

Keenum went right back to a big wide receiver on the next play with a 13-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas who was being covered by Josh Norman.

Right back into field goal range from the Rrdskins 29-yard line, Keenum hit Jake Butt for a short gain that setup a monster interior block from Andy Janovich that sprung Royce Freeman for the 24-yard touchdown run to put the Broncos up 10-0 to end the first quarter.

With just over 30 seconds left in the first quarter, Smith and the Redskins went three and out on three straight incomplete passes to give the ball back to the Broncos to start the second quarter.

Second Quarter

After a holding penalty, Keenum went back to Sutton for get those yards back.

On third and 12, Keenum had his pass batted down to force the first Broncos punt of the evening.

After a quick first down on a slant, Bradley Chubb stuffed Peterson for no gain. Peterson got through the muck on the next play for a six yard gain to setup a third and four for the Redskins. Former Broncos’ running back Kapri Bibbs took the ball outside, but Darian Stewart and Dymonte Thomas flew in like rockets to trip Bibbs up just shy of the first down marker.

Once again, Jay Gruden went for it on fourth down and this time about three inches to the first down. Peterson would have been stuffed, but pulled a move only a guy like Peterson can make by bouncing it outside for a big 15-yard run. Smith followed it up with his biggest (and only relevant) pass completion of the game; a 21-yarder to Paul Richardson.

The Broncos defense stiffened from there to force a field goal attempt. The Redskins cut the Broncos lead to 10-3.

It looked like the Broncos were on their way to a three and out when Keenum found Sanders on third and 15 for a big first down. Keenum went to Sanders again for another big play down the field for a 31-yard reception into Redskins territory.

With Sanders catching fire, the Broncos tried an end-around that he took 27-yards for the touchdown run and a 17-3 Broncos lead in the first half.

The Broncos defense forced another three and out to keep their perfect 0/6 on third down efficiency in tact. The Redskins defense woke up too on the next drive, finally forcing a punt from Marquette King.

With the Redskins nearing midfield and hoping to score before the end of the first half, Colt McCoy was obliterated by Von Miller despite completing the pass for a short gain. On third down, DeMarcus Walker and Bradley Chubb combined to bring McCoy down to end the Redskins hopes of scoring before the half.

Third Quarter

After two good runs for a first down for Phillip Lindsay, Chad Kelly hit De’Angelo Henderson outside for a big catch and run to get the Broncos out past midfield. Henderson took the next handoff for five yards on first down.

Kelly converted a third down to DaeSean Hamilton two plays later to get the Broncos to the Redskins 30-yard line. The drive stalled from there and the Broncos were forced to settle for another field goal and a 20-3 lead.

Despite a blatant no-call hold on Shane Ray, who would have killed McCoy on the Redskins next drive. The third-down pass was incomplete anyway to give Kelly and the Broncos offense another crack at it with excellent field position.

Lindsay took the opening handoff up the middle for a quick - and I mean quick - 13-yard run and a first down. Two plays later, Kelly hit David Williams outside for a nine yard pick up to setup a third and one from the Redskins 34-yard line.

The first-down reception was almost negated by an illegal formation penalty by Tim Patrick, but a helmet-rule 15-yard personal foul gave the Broncos a first-down and a red zone opportunity.

Two plays later, facing a third and nine, Kelly was nearly obliterated but somehow got the ball out to Henderson for a short gain and another Broncos field goal to extend the lead to 23-3.

With Shane Ray fighting to keep his name in the mix and in the rotation, he came out to make some plays. On the Redskins next drive, they quickly found themselves in a third and long and Ray burst around the outside to slam McCoy down to the ground to force another punt for the Broncos third sack and 10th quarterback hit on the night.

After a couple of short runs, Kelly hits David Williams on a wheel route for a big 20-yard gain and a first down and an end of the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

The Broncos drive would stall to start the fourth quarter, but they were again within the range of McManus who attempted at 56-yard field goal that would travel right through the uprights for his fourth field goal of the game to put the Broncos up 26-3.

The Redskins third-string quarterback Kevin Hogan comes in and promptly throws a bomb for 40-yards down to the Broncos 38-yard line. Hogan would follow things up with a few plays later with an 18-yard touchdown pass to cut the Broncos lead to 26-10.

Paxton Lynch came into the game at this point and made a great pass to Kevin White deep that bounced right off White’s chest for a horrible non-catch. Lynch seemed like he was a bit more on in this game, driving the offense into Redskins territory.

The drive would stall, but a Lynch-led offense would finally put some points up on the board after an impressive march down the field for the embattled former first-round pick for the Broncos.

Up 29-10, the Redskins were out of hope with time winding down they were able to add a touchdown late, but it was not enough. The Broncos finally got their preseason win.

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Inactives

The Broncos had six players deactivated and added a seventh with Ronald Leary staying on the bench heading into this third preseason game.

Pregame

The Denver Broncos (0-2) have landed in Landover, Maryland to take on the Washington Redskins (1-1) in Week 3 action of the 2018 NFL Preseason. This is the full dress rehearsal for the first-team offense and defense and the “most important” preseason game of the year.

For the Broncos, Head Coach Vance Joseph really liked what he saw from the team in terms of progress on the offensive and defensive installs.

“After really watching the tape, I was really impressed with our guys. We made a lot of progress,” Joseph said on Monday. “We didn’t win the game, and that’s always the most important thing, but we made a lot of progress offensively and defensively. Offensively, we got off to a better start. We scored some points, and it would have been two touchdowns outside of [penalties]. Defensively, I was impressed with our guys. Obviously, stopping the run. They averaged like 2.4 yards per carry and that was big for us. Outside of the third-and-15 penalty, it would’ve been a pretty nice performance for the defense. That was a good sign on both sides of the ball.”

We saw it too. The progress they made from the first preseason game to the second was leaps and bounds. They are actually game planning for the Redskins in this game, so we should see even more progress towards that goal. That is the next step Joseph hopes to see from the team.

“Just continuing to make more progress,” Joseph said on what he is looking for in the next game. “I thought Case [Keenum] was good but not great. He missed two or three throws that he wants back, so we have room for improvement. Even in the fourth quarter, we’re driving to win the game and Billy Turner whiffed and gave a sack up. There’s plenty to correct. We’re looking for more progress this week.”

Here is how to watch.

Game info, TV channel, and streaming info

When: Friday, August 24, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. Mile High time

Where: FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

Channel: 9News - KTVD-20 (local only)

Online Stream: NFL Game Pass | Futbo TV

Radio: KOA - 850 AM | 94.1 FM & The Fox - 103.5 FM | Spanish Radio KNVR 1150 AM

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