Why Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto wasn’t satisfied with game-winning play

Denver Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto ended up playing the part of hero when he batted down Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota's final pass of Sunday night's overtime victory.

Following a 27-26 victory, Broncos coach Sean Payton praised Vance Joseph's call that led to Bonitto's heroics. “Vance and his staff did a great job of coming up, you know, with the correct call," Payton said. "It's obviously the correct call when it works. 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 might and so they left Nik free and you know, the timing and everything was great.”

Bonitto spoke about his role in the final defensive play. “Yeah, [Mariota] kind of drifted back kind of far too, so I knew he was just kind of buying time, so at that point he was just trying to make a hard run and throw the ball, and I ended up knocking it down and ended up winning the game," said Bonitto.

"Nik’s the free rusher and the irony is the ball hit his club hand, but it was good play by him," Payton said.

Quarterback Bo Nix also weighed in on the spectacular play. “I think the [Washington receiver] might have been open, but Nik did a great job of making an athletic play," said Nix. "I was just really hoping the ball hit the ground in that moment, and sure enough, it did. When you realize the game's over, you can take a deep breath and, you know, enjoy it."

Bonitto, though, seemed less than satisfied about the play after the game, disappointed that his cast on his hand prevented an interception, a play that would surely have gone the distance.

Here's what NFL Network's Brian Baldinger had to say about the game-clinching pass breakup:

The Broncos will now prepare to face the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in Week 14 (Sunday, Dec. 7).

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Why Nik Bonitto wasn’t satisfied with game-winner