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NFL · Week 5 · October 9, 2005 · 12 min read

Washington Commanders vs. Denver Broncos: 2005 Week 5 Recap

Broncos defeat Commanders 21–19 in Week 5

M.Brunell led Fantasy Impact as Broncos prevailed in a 19–21 Week 5 finish.

Washington Commanders 19 3–1
Final 19–21
Denver Broncos 21 4–1 Winner
Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
19–21
Halftime
Washington Commanders 10–14 Denver Broncos
Top passer
M. Brunell
FantasyHQ MVP
M.Brunell
Game date
October 9, 2005

Top fantasy performers · Commanders

  • M.Brunell 30/61 · 337 YDS · 3 TD +11.1 Fantasy Impact
  • S.Moss 8 REC · 116 YDS +9.9 Fantasy Impact
  • C.Cooley 8 REC · 82 YDS · 1 TD +6.8 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

  • Travis Bell
    Travis Bell 12 CAR · 127 YDS · 2 TD +10.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith 2 REC · 23 YDS +3.5 Fantasy Impact
  • A.Lelie 1 REC · 5 YDS · 1 TD +2.8 Fantasy Impact
View Commanders vs Broncos box score View all 2005 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Denver Broncos
Final score
Denver Broncos 21–19 Washington Commanders
Halftime
Washington Commanders 10–14 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
M. Brunell
Top passer
M. Brunell
Biggest EPA play
(6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2005-10-09

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Washington Commanders 21–19 on 2005-10-09. M. Brunell posted a game-high +11.10 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Washington Commanders7309019
Denver Broncos7770021

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

WASWashington Commanders
DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DENDenver Broncos
    Q1 11:49TD
    Travis Bell

    Points+6

    Yard line
    WAS 34
    Score
    0-6

    (11:49) 26-T.Bell left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. DENDenver Broncos
    Q1 11:40XP
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+1

    Yard line
    WAS 2
    Score
    0-7

    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.

  3. WASWashington Commanders
    Q1 3:55TD
    MSM. Sellers

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    6-7

    (3:55) 8-M.Brunell pass to 45-M.Sellers for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. WASWashington Commanders
    Q1 3:47XP
    NNN. Novak

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 2
    Score
    7-7

    3-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.

  5. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 12:12TD
    ALA. Lelie

    Points+6

    Yard line
    WAS 5
    Score
    7-13

    (12:12) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 12:07XP
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+1

    Yard line
    WAS 2
    Score
    7-14

    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.

  7. WASWashington Commanders
    Q2 1:46FG
    NNN. Novak

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 16
    Score
    10-14

    (1:46) 3-N.Novak 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.

  8. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 6:39TD
    Travis Bell

    Points+6

    Yard line
    WAS 55
    Score
    10-20

    (6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. DENDenver Broncos
    Q3 6:27XP
    JEJ. Elam

    Points+1

    Yard line
    WAS 2
    Score
    10-21

    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.

  10. WASWashington Commanders
    Q4 6:30FG
    NNN. Novak

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 18
    Score
    13-21

    (6:30) 3-N.Novak 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.

  11. WASWashington Commanders
    Q4 1:15TD
    CCC. Cooley

    Points+6

    Yard line
    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.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1M. Brunell · Washington Commanders · Passing · +11.10 total EPA · 61 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
  2. 2Travis BellTravis Bell · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +10.28 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
  3. 3S. Moss · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +9.87 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play
  4. 4C. Cooley · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +6.77 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
  5. 5D. Patten · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.74 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
  6. 6Ryan SmithRyan Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.49 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
  7. 7A. Lelie · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.82 EPA/play
  8. 8C. Portis · Washington Commanders · Rushing · +2.16 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

M. Brunell — WAS · Passing

M. Brunell posted the highest total EPA (+11.10) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Washington Commanders. Across 61 counted snaps, they averaged +0.18 EPA per play.

M. Brunell's top snap (-5.03 EPA): (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.

Biggest single play (+5.60 EPA): Travis Bell — (6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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
  • Jack PlummerJack 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.

StatWashington CommandersDenver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play+0.039+0.045
Offensive success rate48.0%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 rate57.3%52.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

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.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Washington Commanders: +0.04 EPA/play (61st percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: +0.04 EPA/play (62nd percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: 12 drives, +3.39 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • Washington Commanders: 12 drives, +3.96 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Travis BellDenver Broncos — Travis Bell (Q1 11:49)
  • Washington Commanders — M. Sellers (M. Brunell pass) (Q1 3:55)
  • Denver Broncos — A. Lelie (Jack Plummer pass) (Q2 12:12)
  • Travis BellDenver Broncos — Travis Bell (Q3 6:39)
  • Washington Commanders — C. Cooley (M. Brunell pass) (Q4 1:15)

Field goals

  • Washington Commanders — N. Novak (Q2 1:46)
  • Washington Commanders — N. Novak (Q4 6:30)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the WAS 34 (Q1 11:49) — (11:49) 26-T.Bell left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q1 11:40) — 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 3:55) — (3:55) 8-M.Brunell pass to 45-M.Sellers for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q1 3:47) — 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 12:12) — (12:12) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q2 12:07) — 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 1:46) — (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 6:39) — (6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the WAS 2 (Q3 6:27) — 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.

  • Washington Commanders (Q3 7:34) — (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 [WPA -16.8% · EPA -4.40]
  • Denver Broncos (Q3 6:39) — (6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +5.60]
  • Washington Commanders (Q1 12:35) — (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. [WPA -13.5% · EPA -5.03]
  • Washington Commanders (Q4 1:09) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 8-M.Brunell pass to 80-D.Patten is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS. [WPA -12.9% · EPA -0.95]
  • Denver Broncos (Q1 11:49) — (11:49) 26-T.Bell left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.8% · EPA +5.03]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Denver Broncos (Q3 6:39) — (6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.9% · EPA +5.60]
  • Washington Commanders (Q1 12:35) — (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. [WPA -13.5% · EPA -5.03]
  • Denver Broncos (Q1 11:49) — (11:49) 26-T.Bell left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.8% · EPA +5.03]
  • Washington Commanders (Q3 7:34) — (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 [WPA -16.8% · EPA -4.40]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 11:49 · WAS 34 · Score 0-6
    (11:49) 26-T.Bell left end for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 11:40 · WAS 2 · Score 0-7
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
  3. Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q1 3:55 · DEN 2 · Score 6-7
    (3:55) 8-M.Brunell pass to 45-M.Sellers for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q1 3:47 · DEN 2 · Score 7-7
    3-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.
  5. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 12:12 · WAS 5 · Score 7-13
    (12:12) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 12:07 · WAS 2 · Score 7-14
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
  7. Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 1:46 · DEN 16 · Score 10-14
    (1:46) 3-N.Novak 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-71-E.Albright, Holder-4-D.Frost.
  8. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 6:39 · WAS 55 · Score 10-20
    (6:39) 26-T.Bell right end for 55 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 6:27 · WAS 2 · Score 10-21
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-16-J.Plummer.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Denver Broncos earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • M. Brunell (Washington Commanders) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos on 2005-10-09?

The Denver Broncos beat the Washington Commanders 21-19 in Week 5, 2005.

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 11:49) Washington Commanders touchdown — M. Sellers (M. Brunell pass) (Q1 3:55) Denver Broncos touchdown — A. Lelie (J. Plummer pass) (Q2 12:12) Denver Broncos touchdown — T. Bell (Q3 6:39) Washington Commanders touchdown — C. Cooley (M. Brunell pass) (Q4 1:15) Washington Commanders field goal — N. Novak (Q2 1:46, 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. Jack Plummer (Denver Broncos), 38.5% completion, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -2.99 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos?

M. Brunell (Washington Commanders) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +11.10 total EPA on Passing plays. across 61 snaps. Their top snap (-5.03 EPA): (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..

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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