Broncos vs. Washington first quarter recap

The Denver Broncos defense came out struggling to start the game as the linebacker situation continued to get exposed by opposing offenses. The Washington Football Team easily converted their first third down on a little dump off to the running back who completely juked a Broncos defender on his way to a 27 yard gain into Broncos territory early.

The Broncos defense did stiffen on Washington’s next third down to force a fourth and one. Washington went for it and Justin Simmons stuffed it for a turnover on downs.

On Denver’s first possession, Pat Shurmur stuck to the run game and it worked for a first down early. Teddy Bridgewater then avoided a horrific over thrown pass that was dropped by the safety. On the very next play, Bridgewater went deep to Courtland Sutton for a 31 yard gain.

The drive was derailed from there after a holding call on Dalton Risner and then Shurmur put Noah Fant in to block an edge rusher that predictably ended in a sack. On third down and 24, a screen pass ended in another penalty to force a third and 29 and bounced them out of field goal range for the punt.

The first quarter ended with Washington marching down the field. They would start the second quarter down near the red zone.