Sean Payton makes defiant statement about Broncos' 'escape' in win over Commanders

The Denver Broncos improved to 10-2 on the season via a nervy 27-26 overtime win at a Washington Commanders side that fell to 3-9 on Sunday night.

Following the contest, Broncos head coach Sean Payton made it clear he didn't feel his club "escaped" Washington's Northwest Stadium with a victory.

Sean Payton sends message about Broncos' alleged "escape" vs. Commanders

"We didn’t escape," Payton somewhat defiantly said after the win, per Michael Phillips of The Associated Press. "We won. The journey of a good team’s season involves games like this. And then you believe you can do it again." 

According to ESPN Bet, the Broncos entered Sunday night as 6.5-point favorites over a Commanders team that was starting backup quarterback Marcus Mariota in place of the injured Jayden Daniels (dislocated left elbow). Mariota led the Washington offense on an 18-play, 71-yard drive that ended with Jake Moody kicking a game-tying 32-yard field goal in the closing seconds of regulation. Mariota later hit wide receiver Terry McLaurin for a short touchdown pass that decreased Denver's lead to 27-26 in the overtime period. 

As Washington lined up to attempt a walk-off two-point conversion, Payton called a timeout so that he and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph could make a change to the defensive alignment. Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto then batted down a Mariota pass to secure the win for Denver. 

"We call it a Kodak situation where you have a timeout, the game's going to end, so call the timeout, regroup, collect your thoughts," Payton explained, per ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "The challenge in those plays are designed QB runs, which we were concerned with...we went from one pressure to another. But there's going to be a free rusher if you pressure the way we did it. And you don't know who's going to be the free rusher because the protection...and so they left Nik free, and the timing and everything was great."

Sean Payton experienced a first on Sunday night

Payton first thought the Broncos had earned a win when Mariota was intercepted halfway through the extra period. However, that pick was erased by a pass interference penalty. 

"[That's] the first time for me in I don't know how many years as a head coach where I took [off] the quarterback to helmet [radio],'' Payton added during his postgame comments. "We didn't get the sack, interference was called -- it's never happened before.''

The Broncos and New England Patriots began Monday sitting atop the overall AFC standings. 10-2 New England hosts the 2-10 New York Giants on Monday night. 

Denver next plays at the lowly Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) on Dec. 7.