Broncos vs. Commanders Week 13 Preview: Can Denver’s defense exploit Washington’s depleted passing game?

What to Watch - Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders

Sunday night’s Week 13 showdown sees the 9-2 Broncos traveling to Northwest Stadium in Landover to face the struggling 3-8 Commanders (Sunday, Nov. 30 - 8:20 p.m. ET / 5:20 p.m. PT).

Denver - riding an eight-game win streak and an AFC West lead - enters as a 4.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 43.5. The Broncos' elite defense, which leads the league in sacks and ranks top 3 in total defense, looms as the biggest threat to Washington’s offense.

For Washington, the storyline centers on a passing game in flux: with their starting quarterback Jayden Daniels missing, the onus will fall on backup Marcus Mariota, while the team scrambles to get healthy around him.

Expect Denver to lean heavily on their pass rush and run game, while the Commanders try to cobble together a workable aerial attack - all under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football.

Injury & Practice Reports - Broncos and Commanders (as of Friday Night, Nov. 28, 2025)

Denver Broncos – Week 13 Practice & Game Status

Denver Broncos

CB Pat Surtain II — Pectoral
• Practiced fully Friday after being limited earlier this week.
• Game Status: Expected to Play

LB Alex Singleton — Illness
• Returned to full participation.
• Game Status: Expected to Play

OLB Jonah Elliss — Hamstring
• Remained limited in practice.
• Game Status: Questionable

TE Nate Adkins — Knee
• Did not practice; remains unavailable.
• Game Status: Out

Washington Commanders – Week 13 Practice & Game Status

WR Terry McLaurin — Quad
• Practiced fully this week; confirmed active for Sunday night.
• Game Status: Active

QB Jayden Daniels — Dislocated Left Elbow
• Practiced limited this week, but was ruled out by head coach for Sunday night.
• Game Status: Out

WR Noah Brown — Groin / Knee (IR-return window)
• Although he practiced this week, Friday update confirms he will not be activated this weekend.
• Game Status: Out

DE Drake Jackson — Knee
• Did not practice Friday; ruled out for Sunday.
• Game Status: Out

S Will Harris — Ankle (returning from fractured fibula)
• FP Friday;
• Game Status: Questionable

LS Tyler Ott — Illness / Back
• FP Friday; listed as Questionable.

WR Treylon Burks — Finger
• FP Friday - expected to play

WR Jaylin Lane — Hip
• FP Friday - expected to play

LB Frankie Luvu — Shoulder
• FP Friday - expected to play

Injury Impact: What It Means for Sunday Night

Denver: Boosted Defense, Thin Tight End Depth

The return of Alex Singleton and potentially Pat Surtain II gives Denver a major boost defensively. Singleton’s presence reinforces an already-stout linebacker unit, while Surtain’s return (if active) shored up a secondary that may need help if Washington gets wideouts back.
On offense, Pat Bryant looks good to go, maintaining depth at WR. That said, with tight end Nate Adkins trending toward inactive, Denver may have to rely more heavily on their wide receivers and running backs rather than tight-end–heavy packages.

Washington: Offense Issues

The biggest blow: the absence of Jayden Daniels again. While he returned to practice after dislocating his elbow, reports suggest he’s unlikely to play Sunday. Backup Marcus Mariota — whose performance this season has been sub-par (Commanders are 1-4 when he starts) — is expected to take the snaps again.
That said, the return of veteran WR Terry McLaurin (quad) offers a tangible upgrade to Washington’s pass-catching corps. McLaurin said he plans to play “as much as they’ll allow me,” giving Mariota more weapons.
Defensive reinforcements — including the possible return of DE Drake Jackson and full-practice statuses for players like Will Harris and Ale Kaho — help Washington’s defensive depth, but the unit still struggles to stop elite offenses.

Overall, the encouraging injury-report developments for Washington won’t fully offset the quarterback downgrade. Meanwhile, Denver’s defense — healthy and aggressive — could capitalize on those cracks.

Why This Game Matters

For Denver, this is a chance to stay hot and cement the AFC West lead, setting themselves up for a favorable playoff seeding with six games left. A road win on Sunday Night would further boost their momentum and confidence.

For Washington, it’s about pride—and trying to salvage dignity in a down 2025 season. If McLaurin and Mariota find some rhythm, the offense could show signs of life. But overcoming Denver’s dominant defense will require near-perfect execution.

Prognosis & Key Matchups

Broncos defense vs. Commanders OL / backup QB — If Surtain II dresses and Denver’s front seven stay healthy, pressure could disrupt Mariota and force turnovers.
McLaurin vs. Broncos secondary — Can the veteran WRs generate chunk plays and keep Washington’s offense afloat under backup QB pressure?
Run game & time of possession — Washington must keep the chains moving to stay competitive; Denver will try to shorten the game and grind down the clock.

A healthy Broncos side makes Denver the clear favorite.

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