After squandering a 21-3 first-half lead, the Denver Broncos trailed the Washington Commanders 35-27 late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game.
Near midfield, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson launched a Hail Mary pass that was tipped and eventually caught by wide receiver Brandon Johnson, who stepped into the end zone to make it 35-33.
Buy Broncos TicketsDenver was then just a two-point conversion away from tying the game at 35-35 and sending it to overtime, but Wilson’s ensuing pass was broken up in the end zone, sealing a loss. Washington’s defensive back made contact with wide receiver Courtland Sutton on the two-point attempt but was not penalized for pass interference.
Here’s a sampling of how Twitter reacted to the Hail Mary pass and the Broncos’ eventual 35-33 loss at home.
Broncos got this Hail Mary…but then failed to convert the two-point conversion to force OT vs Washington. Commanders go to 2-0. pic.twitter.com/pEGGlyUmyp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2023
Broncos fans seeing Russell Wilson hit a Hail Mary to end up losing by 2: pic.twitter.com/KG2kjnh5kS
— Danny Armstrong (@DArmstrong44) September 17, 2023
How that’s not a flag, I have no idea. I’ve seen flags thrown for less. How are we feeling #BroncosCountry ?
— Orlando Franklin (@OFranklin74) September 17, 2023
Whoa! First Vance Joseph 3 and out!
Make sure to save that game ball for him! He’ll want to remember that one
— Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars) September 17, 2023
That was real PI on the final play…how the hell do they not call that
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) September 17, 2023
For all it's worth, Sean Payton is having a worse start to his Broncos tenure than Nathaniel Hackett did.
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) September 17, 2023
NOT defensive pass interference pic.twitter.com/XF7AkH3bh1
— Ryan Greene 📷 (@RyanGreeneDNVR) September 17, 2023
I wish the Broncos gave Vic Fangio a blank but signed check to come back as defensive coordinator.
Vance Joseph's defense has been very concerning so far…
— Rachel Strand (@RachelNFL) September 17, 2023
How is that not pass interference???!! #Broncos
— Rich (midnight blue 🌠and sunshine yellow ☀️) (@RichKurtzman) September 17, 2023
One of the greatest plays I’ve seen. Followed by the refs not calling PI on the 2 point play. cURSE pic.twitter.com/2xXTQorJSl
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) September 17, 2023
The Broncos fall, 35-33. Washington seized command with a 32-3 run. And it wasn’t a fluke; they diced up a struggling Broncos defense. They’re 0-2 for the third time in the last five years. And no previous Broncos team that started 0-2 ever avoided a losing season.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) September 17, 2023
Another missed call by the officials. One on the play that changed the game (Wilson fumble). Then the important 2 point conversion at the end which decided the outcome.
Nonetheless we didn't do well enough to win. The collapse was embarrassing.
— Denver Broncos UK (@UKDenverBroncos) September 17, 2023
The trade for Russell Wilson was made with the thought that this was a very talented roster that was a QB away from contention
Under George Paton’s watch, the roster has regressed, and that’s no longer true
Time to re-think how this team is constructed
Rebuild in SP’s image
— Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars) September 17, 2023
I think we all already know it but I’m pretty convinced that the Broncos have to finally rebuild this roster.
— Joey Richards (@JRDrafts) September 17, 2023
That one is going to sting for more than 24 hours, no matter how much you try to turn the page.
A 50-yard Hail Mary off two deflections brings to Denver to within 2. Then, Sutton appears to be clearly interfered with on the 2-point conversion.
Still, Broncos didn't do enough.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) September 17, 2023
that whole hail marry two point conversion sequence was basically the broncos franchise in the 21st century in a nutshell
— uh oh (1-0) (@f3mboyfootball) September 17, 2023
Remarkable finish in #WASvsDEN. Following the Hail Mary, the Broncos needed to convert the 2 point conversion to send the game to OT. IMO, the contact by the defender significantly impacted the receiver's ability to make a play on the ball.https://t.co/SKT9Ww3o1f
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) September 17, 2023
What a Broncos way to lose: complete a Hail Mary with no time left and then get screwed on a no-call of a blatant PI on the 2 point conversion.
Existence is pain.
— Mile High Mario (@VetanzeTherapy) September 17, 2023
How is this not pass interference? Oh yeah because it’s Courtland Sutton, who has never ever ever benefited from defenders cheating pic.twitter.com/BihTzDptVh
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) September 18, 2023
Wilson for Sutton no good on the two-point try. No flag. Ballgame.
Sutton got held, but the whistle got swallowed.
After all that: Commanders 35, #Broncos 33
Denver led 21-3, but Sean Payton's team is 0-2 after home losses Las Vegas and the Commanders.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) September 17, 2023
Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Miami Dolphins Week 3.
