Commanders vs. Broncos: Live updates, score, highlights for 'Sunday Night Football'

Well, we've got extra football! Marcus Mariota puts on his hero hat and drives Washington 71 yards over 18 plays to set up Moody's game-tying 32-yard field goal. What a showing from the fill-in quarterback, who once again finds Zach Ertz on a critical down -- this time a fourth-and-6 spot with less than a minute to play -- and uses his own legs to move the chains as well.

Mariota looks deep to Zach Ertz, who's already got seven catches to lead the Commanders, for a would-be monster gain on third-and-long, but Singleton extends himself for a last-second breakup. Huge play by Denver's linebacker:

Washington plays it somewhat safe after stealing a possession via Nix's interception, with Marcus Mariota sticking to short throws on early downs, so Jake Moody comes on for a 38-yard field goal to make this a three-point ballgame. Credit Dan Quinn's defense for sticking this one out, and also Mariota for keeping the Commanders competitive. Zach Ertz (7 catches, 75 yards) has been active as his safety valve, still going strong as a possession target at age 35.

Uh-oh! Nix double-clutches in the face of delayed pressure from Jacob Martin, then rifles one over the middle ... and right into the arms of Wagner, who was apparently invisible to the Broncos quarterback:

Bo Nix is settling in now. The quarterback buys some time in the pocket to find Courtland Sutton deep, hitting his top wideout for 31 yards after Washington leaves a glaring opening downfield. Then Harvey finishes the drive by finding paydirt:

Burks, who just joined the Commanders in mid-October after a tumultuous three seasons with the Titans, has Washington in front of the Broncos after one of the best prime-time receptions of the year:

No. Way. Marcus Mariota lofts one to the back corner of the end zone after a couple of Zach Ertz catches put Washington in scoring range, and Burks comes down with easily the most impressive catch of his NFL career ... and perhaps the finest of this season. In a near-replica of the famous Odell Beckham Jr. grab, the ex-Titans castoff extends with one arm and brings it in securely.

Washington did a fine job moving the ball against Denver's tough defense in the first half, totaling 76 rushing yards between five different ball carriers, but the Broncos finished stronger, reaching the red zone three times and finally getting over the hump thanks to Bo Nix's play-extending mobility. If Denver can unlock ground support for Nix in the second half, Washington will be in trouble. Marcus Mariota has been solid for the most part in place of the injured Jayden Daniels, although his one forced throw -- the pick -- was costly.

How about this for a highlight reel? After failing to make magic on Denver's last red-zone trip, Nix barely eludes a sack this time around, flinging it into the end zone for the Broncos' first touchdown of the night:

Washington is on the board! Chris Rodriguez explodes up the gut for a bruising score, capping a 70-yard drive that also featured a nice loft from Marcus Mariota to Zach Ertz. The underrated catalyst of the touchdown drive: a critical penalty by Denver pass rusher Nik Bonitto, who pulled lineman Tyler Biadasz away from a Broncos teammate after the whistle, only to get shoved by Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil. There's a case to be made Tunsil also deserved a flag, but it's a moot point now.

The Broncos drive all the way to the Commanders' 10-yard line but have to settle for another short Wil Lutz field goal after Bo Nix can't find anyone open on third-and-8. Nix pleads with the officials to consider a penalty on Frankie Luvu for helmet-to-helmet contact after the linebacker strikes the quarterback's helmet, but the contact was so quick, almost simultaneous to Nix flicking the ball out of his grasp to avoid a sack, that the would-be infraction goes uncalled. It's 6-0 in favor of the visitors.

The Commanders march down the field thanks largely to a shifty extra-effort run from Jeremy McNichols, but then Mariota takes a crushing blow to the midsection while unloading a ball into traffic, and Denver gets its first takeaway:

Denver goes 59 yards over the course of 4:32 to go up 3-0 on a Wil Lutz field goal. Another erratic passing stretch for Bo Nix, who hits just 3 of his first 7 passes, but the run game is already taking advantage of Washington's struggling "D," with RJ Harvey averaging more than 5 yards per carry on the opening drive. Let's see how Marcus Mariota responds for the Commanders.

The most notable omission on Denver's inactives list is probably Singleton, the club's leading tackler, who is making his return just over three weeks after undergoing surgery for testicular cancer. Also active for the Broncos defense: top cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who sat out the team's Week 12 win over the Chiefs due to injury.

As expected, Marcus Mariota gets the nod as Washington's fill-in quarterback for the third straight week:

The SportsLine Projection Model envisions a big night for Denver's top wideout:

The Broncos have been involved in plenty of close battles this season, as only two of their 11 contests have been decided by more than eight points. Their five games away from Empower Field at Mile High, including one against the New York Jets in London, were decided by a total of 13 points. ... [Still,] SportsLine prop expert PropBetGuy believes Courtland Sutton will be productive in Denver's aerial attack since Washington has been torched by receivers out wide this year.

Expert bet: Over 47.5 receiving yards for Courtland Sutton (-114)

From CBS Sports' betting preview, featuring SportsLine simulation data:

Denver has covered in three of its last four and is 5-3 ATS during its eight-game win streak. That contrasts with Washington, which has not only lost six in a row straight up, but ... [also] versus the spread. The Broncos possess an elite defense, leading the NFL in sacks [and] allowing the fewest passing touchdowns, [while also] holding opponents to a league-low in yards per rush. The defense [should get] another boost with cornerback Patrick Surtain II (pectoral) cleared to play. At the other end of the spectrum is Washington's defense, which has bottom-five rankings in points allowed, yards allowed and turnovers forced. Washington has allowed an average of 34 points over its last five games, while the Broncos haven't given up 34 points in any game this season.

Washington may be without Jayden Daniels, but the quarterback's top target figures to be a full go for the first time since Week 8, with coach Dan Quinn telling reporters ahead of Sunday night's game McLaurin (quad) is on track to suit up.