ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The game wasn't decided until much later.

The Denver Broncos would possess the ball six more times and score 14 more points en route to a 27-26 overtime win over the Washington Commanders.

But in the aftermath of Denver's ninth consecutive win, Head Coach Sean Payton pointed to the Broncos' final drive of the first half as a determining moment in the game.

"Quietly, that two-minute drill … was the difference between winning and losing," Payton said.

Trailing 7-6 in the late stages of the second quarter with the Commanders poised to get the ball after the half, Bo Nix put together a precise drive.

Nix hung in the pocket and threw three completions for first downs as part of a five-completion streak that set Denver up at the Washington 11-yard line with 28 seconds to play. Then, Nix delivered one of his best throws of the season, as he escaped pressure to his right and fired a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton.

"That's one of the tremendous plays we've seen all season long," NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth pronounced on the broadcast.

It also exemplified one of Nix's key strengths, as his knack for extending plays is one that can't necessarily be coached.

"I think the ability to throw the ball, not only from the pocket, but I would say a strength of his — going right or left — is throwing it off schedule," Payton said Monday. "I think some people can work on that but aren't as effective as others."

Added tight end Adam Trautman: "It's definitely part of his game that's got some magic to it."

Payton credited Nix's "decision-making and … his ability to buy time" on both that drive and Denver's game-winning possession in overtime. Nix has now led six game-winning drives in 2025, which is the most in the NFL this season and tied with John Elway for the most in a season in franchise history.

Nix needed just five plays on the overtime possession, completing four consecutive passes for 71 yards before RJ Harvey powered into the end zone for the eventual game-winning touchdown.

On the two key drives, Nix was 13-of-15 for 135 yards, a touchdown and a 126.4 quarterback rating. And, most importantly, a win.

ENGRAM STANDS OUT

Those two drives were significant for more than just Nix, as tight end Evan Engram caught three passes for 28 yards on the end-of-half drive before racing for a 41-yard catch-and-run in overtime.

Engram's six catches for 79 yards were both season highs for the 2025 free-agent acquisition and represented his most receiving yards since Week 6 of 2024.

The veteran tight end led the Broncos in receptions, targets and yards — and his 41-yard catch was the Broncos' longest play of the evening.

"Evan [had] one of his better games," Payton said Sunday. "The play he made in overtime was huge. The 'jerk' route he ran was outstanding."