Game story
In Week 5 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-10-09, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Washington Commanders, pulling away with a 21–19 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Brunell (Washington Commanders) paced the passing game, with +11.10 total EPA.
On the individual side, M. Brunell (Washington Commanders) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.10 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-16.8% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Washington Commanders changed the game: (7:34) 3-N.Novak 38 yard field goal is BLOCKED (93-T.Pryce), Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost, RECOVERED by DEN-56-A.Wilson at DEN 24. 56-A.Wilson to DEN 40 for 16 yards (71-E.Albright; 77-R.Tho
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders | 7 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 19 |
| Denver Broncos | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Brunell · Washington Commanders · Passing · +11.10 total EPA · 61 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
- 2 T. Bell · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +10.28 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
- 3 S. Moss · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +9.87 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play
- 4 C. Cooley · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +6.77 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
- 5 D. Patten · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.74 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
- 6 R. Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.49 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
- 7 A. Lelie · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.82 EPA/play
- 8 C. Portis · Washington Commanders · Rushing · +2.16 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Brunell — WAS · Passing
M. Brunell posted the highest total EPA (+11.10) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Washington Commanders's efficiency. Across 61 counted snaps, they averaged +0.18 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.60 EPA) came from Denver Broncos: (6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Denver Broncos — T. Bell
- Washington Commanders — M. Sellers (M. Brunell pass)
- Denver Broncos — A. Lelie (J. Plummer pass)
- Denver Broncos — T. Bell
- Washington Commanders — C. Cooley (M. Brunell pass)
Field goals
- Washington Commanders — N. Novak
- Washington Commanders — N. Novak
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the WAS 34 (Q1 56:49) — (11:49) 26-T.Bell left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q1 56:40) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DEN 2 (Q1 48:55) — (3:55) 8-M.Brunell pass to 45-M.Sellers for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q1 48:47) — 3-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..
The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the WAS 5 (Q2 42:12) — (12:12) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q2 42:07) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the DEN 16 (Q2 31:46) — (1:46) 3-N.Novak 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost..
The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the WAS 55 (Q3 21:39) — (6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q3 21:27) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer..
The fourth quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 9–0. Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the DEN 18 (Q4 6:30) — (6:30) 3-N.Novak 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.; Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DEN 11 (Q4 1:15) — (1:15) (Shotgun) 8-M.Brunell pass to 47-C.Cooley for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DEN, Defensive Holding, declined..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Washington Commanders (Q3 22:34) — (7:34) 3-N.Novak 38 yard field goal is BLOCKED (93-T.Pryce), Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost, RECOVERED by DEN-56-A.Wilson at DEN 24. 56-A.Wilson to DEN 40 for 16 yards (71-E.Albright; 77-R.Tho
- Denver Broncos (Q3 21:39) — (6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 57:35) — (12:35) 8-M.Brunell FUMBLES (Aborted) at WAS 43, RECOVERED by DEN-56-A.Wilson at WAS 43. 56-A.Wilson to WAS 43 for no gain (26-C.Portis). Handoff was never completed.
- Washington Commanders (Q4 1:09) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-M.Brunell pass to 80-D.Patten is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 56:49) — (11:49) 26-T.Bell left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Denver Broncos (Q3 21:39) — (6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 57:35) — (12:35) 8-M.Brunell FUMBLES (Aborted) at WAS 43, RECOVERED by DEN-56-A.Wilson at WAS 43. 56-A.Wilson to WAS 43 for no gain (26-C.Portis). Handoff was never completed.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 56:49) — (11:49) 26-T.Bell left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q3 22:34) — (7:34) 3-N.Novak 38 yard field goal is BLOCKED (93-T.Pryce), Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost, RECOVERED by DEN-56-A.Wilson at DEN 24. 56-A.Wilson to DEN 40 for 16 yards (71-E.Albright; 77-R.Tho
Quarterback report card
M.Brunell led all passers in efficiency for Washington Commanders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Brunell (Washington Commanders) · 61 dropbacks · 49.2% completion · +0.18 EPA/play · +11.10 total EPA
- J.Plummer (Denver Broncos) · 26 dropbacks · 38.5% completion · -0.12 EPA/play · -2.99 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Washington Commanders | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.039 | +0.045 |
| Offensive success rate | 48.0% | 42.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.182 | -0.129 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.127 | +0.245 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.045 | -0.039 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.3% | 52.0% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Washington Commanders +0.04, Denver Broncos +0.04) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Denver Broncos: 12 drives, +3.39 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 12 drives, +3.96 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Denver Broncos leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- M. Brunell (Washington Commanders) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 56:49 · WAS 34 · Score 0-6
(11:49) 26-T.Bell left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 56:40 · WAS 2 · Score 0-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 48:55 · DEN 2 · Score 6-7
(3:55) 8-M.Brunell pass to 45-M.Sellers for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 48:47 · DEN 2 · Score 7-7
3-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 42:12 · WAS 5 · Score 7-13
(12:12) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 42:07 · WAS 2 · Score 7-14
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer. - Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 31:46 · DEN 16 · Score 10-14
(1:46) 3-N.Novak 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 21:39 · WAS 55 · Score 10-20
(6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 21:27 · WAS 2 · Score 10-21
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer. - Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q4 6:30 · DEN 18 · Score 13-21
(6:30) 3-N.Novak 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q4 1:15 · DEN 11 · Score 19-21
(1:15) (Shotgun) 8-M.Brunell pass to 47-C.Cooley for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DEN, Defensive Holding, declined.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos?
The Denver Broncos beat the Washington Commanders 21-19 in Week 5, 2005 on 2005-10-09.
What was the final score of Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos?
The final score was Washington Commanders 19, Denver Broncos 21 (WAS 19-21 DEN) in Week 5, 2005 on 2005-10-09.
What was the score by quarter in Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos?
Q1: Washington Commanders 7, Denver Broncos 7; Q2: Washington Commanders 3, Denver Broncos 7; Q3: Washington Commanders 0, Denver Broncos 7; Q4: Washington Commanders 9, Denver Broncos 0; Final: Washington Commanders 19, Denver Broncos 21.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos?
Denver Broncos touchdown — T. Bell (Q1 56:49) Washington Commanders touchdown — M. Sellers (M. Brunell pass) (Q1 48:55) Denver Broncos touchdown — A. Lelie (J. Plummer pass) (Q2 42:12) Denver Broncos touchdown — T. Bell (Q3 21:39) Washington Commanders touchdown — C. Cooley (M. Brunell pass) (Q4 1:15) Washington Commanders field goal — N. Novak (Q2 31:46, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — N. Novak (Q4 6:30, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos?
M. Brunell (Washington Commanders), 49.2% completion, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +11.10 total passing EPA. J. Plummer (Denver Broncos), 38.5% completion, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -2.99 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos?
M. Brunell (Washington Commanders) led the game in total EPA with +11.10 on passing plays. across 61 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.60 EPA): (6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was -16.8%.
Was Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos a close game?
Yes — the margin was 2 points. Denver Broncos won 21-19 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Washington Commanders
Entered 3-0 Now 3-1 L
Denver Broncos
Entered 3-1 Now 4-1 W
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