The Washington Commanders lost to the Denver Broncos in Week 13, and yet after the way the past two months have gone, it felt like a win.
Washington took a 10-2 team into overtime and lost on the final play, an unsuccessful two-point conversion. Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin returned and balled out with his best performance of the campaign. One brutal Marcus Mariota interception aside, the sloppy mistakes that have plagued the Commanders this season were not an issue.
It might be too late to save Washington's playoff hopes, but the energy is shifting.