Two teams on the opposite end of the spectrum collide in a Sunday Night Football clash in Week 13. While the Denver Broncos stand near the top of the AFC West and continue to build off their success from last season with a sophomore quarterback, the same cannot be said about their opponents.
With injuries hampering proceedings, the Washington Commanders haven’t climbed the same heights as last season’s trip to the NFC Championship Game, as they seem to be in danger of missing the playoffs outright. When the two sides face off, neither squad is fully healthy, so who will be starting for them?
Inactive List for Broncos and Commanders
Washington Commanders
- QB Jayden Daniels
- S Darnell Savage
- LB Ale Kaho
- LS Tyler Ott
- T Trent Scott
- T George Fant
- DE Jalyn Holmes
Denver Broncos
- TE Nate Adkins
- OLB Jonah Elliss
- OT Geron Christian
- DL Jordan Jackson
- DE Sai’vion Jones
Starters for Broncos vs. Commanders
Washington Commanders
Offense:
- QB Marcus Mariota
- RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- WR Terry McLaurin
- WR Deebo Samuel
- WR Treylon Burks / Chris Moore
- TE Zach Ertz
- LT Laremy Tunsil
- LG Chris Paul
- C Tyler Biadasz
- RG Sam Cosmi
- RT Josh Conerly Jr.
Defense:
- RDE Jalyn Holmes
- LDT Jer’Zhan Newton
- RDT Javon Kinlaw
- LDE Preston Smith
- WLB Frankie Luvu
- MLB Bobby Wagner
- SLB Von Miller / Nick Bellore
- RCB Antonio Hamilton Sr.
- SS Jeremy Reaves
- FS Will Harris
- LCB Jonathan Jones
Special Teams:
- PK Jake Moody
- P, H Tress Way
- PR, KR Jaylin Lane
- LS Tyler Ott (Questionable)
After practicing in a limited capacity throughout the week, the hope is that Jayden Daniels could return to the Commanders’ lineup as soon as next week. However, it might be too little, too late for a franchise that has very few chances of making the playoffs.
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Facing a Broncos squad that is coming off a bye, while holding a 9-2 record near the top of the AFC, isn’t going to be an easy challenge by any stretch of the imagination. However, a full cast of wide receivers and Marcus Mariota continuing his solid play in Daniels’ absence is the lone hope Washington has against Denver.
Denver Broncos
Offense:
- QB Bo Nix
- RB RJ Harvey
- WR Courtland Sutton
- WR Troy Franklin
- TE Adam Trautman
- FB Adam Prentice
- LT Garett Bolles
- LG Alex Palczewski
- C Luke Wattenberg
- RG Quinn Meinerz
- RT Mike McGlinchey
Defense:
- LDE Zach Allen
- NT D.J. Jones / Malcolm Roach
- RDE John Franklin-Myers
- LOLB Jonathan Cooper
- RILB Alex Singleton
- LILB Dre Greenlaw
- ROLB Nik Bonitto
- SS Talanoa Hufanga
- FS Brandon Jones
- RCB Riley Moss
Special Teams:
- PK Wil Lutz
- P, H Jeremy Crawshaw
- PR Marvin Mims Jr.
- KR Tyler Badie
- LS Mitchell Fraboni
For a team that has a stranglehold on an AFC West that also features the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, there shouldn’t be a ton of question marks surrounding the Broncos.
With the best defense in the league per PFSN’s Defense Impact that rivals the 1980s Chicago Bears, they have been able to dominate their way to a 9-2 record. However, the one question mark on the roster remains their quarterback, Bo Nix.
As a result, facing a lacklustre Commanders’ defense should be the perfect recipe for him to get going during the closing stretch of the season before what the team is hoping will be a deep playoff run.
