Quick answer
- Winner
- Denver Broncos
- Final score
- Denver Broncos 17–10 Washington Commanders
- Halftime
- Washington Commanders 3–10 Denver Broncos at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- J. McKissic
- Top passer
- Taylor Heinicke
- Biggest EPA play
- (9:33) (Shotgun) 71-W.Schweitzer reported in as eligible. 4-T.Heinicke pass incomplete sho…
- Game date
- 2021-10-31
Game summary
The Denver Broncos beat the Washington Commanders 17–10 on 2021-10-31. J. McKissic posted a game-high +6.89 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 15 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Washington Commanders | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
 Denver Broncos | 10 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
WASWashington Commanders
(10:31) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
(5:30) 12-C.Blewitt 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-C.Cheeseman, Holder-5-T.Way.
(1:18) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short right to 25-M.Gordon for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
(:44) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass deep right to 1-D.Carter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12-C.Blewitt extra point is GOOD, Center-54-C.Cheeseman, Holder-5-T.Way.
8-B.McManus kicks 65 yards from DEN 35 to end zone, Touchback.
(4:27) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass short right to 41-J.McKissic ran ob at WAS 44 for 19 yards (31-J.Simmons).
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin. DEN-93-D.Jones was injured during the play.
DENDenver BroncosFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q2 10:31FG Brandon McManusPoints+3
- Yard line
- WAS 27
- Score
- 0-3
(10:31) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
- WASWashington Commanders
Q2 5:30FG CBC. BlewittPoints+3
- Yard line
- DEN 34
- Score
- 3-3
(5:30) 12-C.Blewitt 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-C.Cheeseman, Holder-5-T.Way.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q2 1:18TD Points+6
- Yard line
- WAS 15
- Score
- 3-9
(1:18) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short right to 25-M.Gordon for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q2 1:11XP Brandon McManusPoints+1
- Yard line
- WAS 15
- Score
- 3-10
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
- WASWashington Commanders
Q3 0:44TD DeWayne CarterPoints+6
- Yard line
- DEN 20
- Score
- 9-10
(:44) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass deep right to 1-D.Carter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- WASWashington Commanders
Q3 0:38XP CBC. BlewittPoints+1
- Yard line
- DEN 15
- Score
- 10-10
12-C.Blewitt extra point is GOOD, Center-54-C.Cheeseman, Holder-5-T.Way.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q4 4:27TD Brandon McManusPoints+7
- Yard line
- DEN 35
- Score
- 10-17
8-B.McManus kicks 65 yards from DEN 35 to end zone, Touchback.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q4 4:27TD JMJ. McKissicPoints+7
- Yard line
- DEN 75
- Score
- 10-17
(4:27) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass short right to 41-J.McKissic ran ob at WAS 44 for 19 yards (31-J.Simmons).
- DENDenver Broncos
Q4 4:27XP Brandon McManusPoints+1
- Yard line
- WAS 15
- Score
- 10-17
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin. DEN-93-D.Jones was injured during the play.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1J. McKissic · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +6.89 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
- 2
Jerry Jeudy · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.65 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play - 3
Tim Patrick · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.00 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play - 4DeWayne Carter · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +3.54 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
- 5
Teddy Bridgewater · Denver Broncos · Passing · +3.52 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play - 6Jarrett Patterson · Washington Commanders · Rushing · +1.99 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
- 7Dax Milne · Washington Commanders · Receiving · +1.76 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
- 8
Cameron Sutton · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.19 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.30 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
J. McKissic — WAS · Receiving
J. McKissic posted the highest total EPA (+6.89) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Washington Commanders. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.86 EPA per play.
J. McKissic's top snap (-2.70 EPA): (:49) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass deep right intended for 11-C.Sims INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Simmons at DEN -2. 31-J.Simmons ran ob at DEN 22 for 24 yards (41-J.McKissic). Penalty on WAS-41-J.McKissic, Unnecessary Roughness,
Biggest single play (-3.90 EPA): Wes Schweitzer — (9:33) (Shotgun) 71-W.Schweitzer reported in as eligible. 4-T.Heinicke pass incomplete short right to 83-R.Seals-Jones (59-M.Reed).
Quarterback report card
Taylor Heinicke led all passers in efficiency for Washington Commanders, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
Taylor Heinicke (Washington Commanders) · 47 dropbacks · 51.1% completion · -4.2% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.43 total EPA- Teddy Bridgewater (Denver Broncos) · 31 dropbacks · 61.3% completion · +5.2% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +3.52 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Washington Commanders | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.072 | +0.017 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.3% | 43.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.009 | +0.113 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.007 | -0.026 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.017 | +0.072 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.1% | 61.7% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.07), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Washington Commanders: -0.07 EPA/play (34th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
- Denver Broncos: +0.02 EPA/play (54th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
- Denver Broncos: 9 drives, +1.11 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Washington Commanders: 9 drives, -5.86 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Denver Broncos — Melvin Gordon (Teddy Bridgewater pass)
- Washington Commanders — DeWayne Carter (Taylor Heinicke pass)
Field goals
- Denver Broncos — Brandon McManus
- Washington Commanders — C. Blewitt
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the WAS 27 (Q2 10:31) — (10:31) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Washington Commanders connected on a field goal from the DEN 34 (Q2 5:30) — (5:30) 12-C.Blewitt 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-C.Cheeseman, Holder-5-T.Way.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the WAS 15 (Q2 1:18) — (1:18) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short right to 25-M.Gordon for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q2 1:11) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin..
The third quarter: Washington Commanders won the period 7–0. Washington Commanders found the end zone from the DEN 20 (Q3 0:44) — (:44) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass deep right to 1-D.Carter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Washington Commanders added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q3 0:38) — 12-C.Blewitt extra point is GOOD, Center-54-C.Cheeseman, Holder-5-T.Way..
The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 15–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DEN 35 (Q4 4:27) — 8-B.McManus kicks 65 yards from DEN 35 to end zone, Touchback.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DEN 75 (Q4 4:27) — (4:27) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass short right to 41-J.McKissic ran ob at WAS 44 for 19 yards (31-J.Simmons).; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the WAS 15 (Q4 4:27) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin. DEN-93-D.Jones was injured during the play..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 0:27) — (:27) 25-M.Gordon right end to DEN 21 for -2 yards (99-C.Young). FUMBLES (99-C.Young), RECOVERED by WAS-51-D.Mayo at DEN 24.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 6:54) — (6:54) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass deep left to 10-J.Jeudy ran ob at WAS 29 for 18 yards.
- Washington Commanders (Q3 0:44) — (:44) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass deep right to 1-D.Carter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Washington Commanders (Q4 0:49) — (:49) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass deep right intended for 11-C.Sims INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Simmons at DEN -2. 31-J.Simmons ran ob at DEN 22 for 24 yards (41-J.McKissic). Penalty on WAS-41-J.McKissic, Unn
- Denver Broncos (Q4 13:13) — (13:13) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short right to 33-J.Williams pushed ob at WAS 40 for 11 yards (99-C.Young).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Washington Commanders (Q1 9:33) — (9:33) (Shotgun) 71-W.Schweitzer reported in as eligible. 4-T.Heinicke pass incomplete short right to 83-R.Seals-Jones (59-M.Reed).
- Washington Commanders (Q2 13:51) — (13:51) 12-C.Blewitt 45 yard field goal is BLOCKED (96-S.Harris), Center-54-C.Cheeseman, Holder-5-T.Way.
- Washington Commanders (Q4 9:00) — (9:00) 12-C.Blewitt 47 yard field goal is BLOCKED (93-D.Jones), Center-54-C.Cheeseman, Holder-5-T.Way.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 0:27) — (:27) 25-M.Gordon right end to DEN 21 for -2 yards (99-C.Young). FUMBLES (99-C.Young), RECOVERED by WAS-51-D.Mayo at DEN 24.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 10:31 · WAS 27 · Score 0-3
(10:31) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Washington Commanders FG (+3) — Q2 5:30 · DEN 34 · Score 3-3
(5:30) 12-C.Blewitt 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-C.Cheeseman, Holder-5-T.Way. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 1:18 · WAS 15 · Score 3-9
(1:18) (Shotgun) 5-T.Bridgewater pass short right to 25-M.Gordon for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 1:11 · WAS 15 · Score 3-10
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Washington Commanders TD (+6) — Q3 0:44 · DEN 20 · Score 9-10
(:44) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass deep right to 1-D.Carter for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Washington Commanders XP (+1) — Q3 0:38 · DEN 15 · Score 10-10
12-C.Blewitt extra point is GOOD, Center-54-C.Cheeseman, Holder-5-T.Way. - Denver Broncos TD (+7) — Q4 4:27 · DEN 35 · Score 10-17
8-B.McManus kicks 65 yards from DEN 35 to end zone, Touchback. - Denver Broncos TD (+7) — Q4 4:27 · DEN 75 · Score 10-17
(4:27) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass short right to 41-J.McKissic ran ob at WAS 44 for 19 yards (31-J.Simmons). - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 4:27 · WAS 15 · Score 10-17
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin. DEN-93-D.Jones was injured during the play.
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.
- J. McKissic (Washington Commanders) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Taylor Heinicke (WAS) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos on 2021-10-31?
The Denver Broncos beat the Washington Commanders 17-10 in Week 8, 2021.
What was the score by quarter in Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos?
Q2: Washington Commanders 3, Denver Broncos 10; Q3: Washington Commanders 7, Denver Broncos 0; Q4: Washington Commanders 0, Denver Broncos 15; Final: Washington Commanders 10, Denver Broncos 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos?
Denver Broncos touchdown — M. Gordon (T. Bridgewater pass) (Q2 1:18) Washington Commanders touchdown — D. Carter (T. Heinicke pass) (Q3 0:44) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q2 10:31, 3 pts) Washington Commanders field goal — C. Blewitt (Q2 5:30, 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?
Taylor Heinicke (Washington Commanders), 51.1% completion, -4.2% CPOE, -0.01 EPA per dropback, -0.43 total passing EPA. Teddy Bridgewater (Denver Broncos), 61.3% completion, +5.2% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +3.52 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos?
J. McKissic (Washington Commanders) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.89 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (-2.70 EPA): (:49) (Shotgun) 4-T.Heinicke pass deep right intended for 11-C.Sims INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Simmons at DEN -2. 31-J.Simmons ran ob at DEN 22 for 24 yards (41-J.McKissic). Penalty on WA.
Was Washington Commanders vs Denver Broncos a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Denver Broncos won 17-10 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Washington Commanders
Entered 2-5 Now 2-6 L
Denver Broncos
Entered 3-4 Now 4-4 W
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