The Broncos are back from their bye — and back under the lights.

Denver (9-2) will put its eight-game winning streak on the line in a “Sunday Night Football” matchup against Marcus Mariota and the Washington Commanders (3-8).

The Broncos currently hold their longest single-season win streak since winning 11 consecutive games in 2012, and they’ll aim to keep pace in the competition for the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win over Washington.

With a Week 13 victory, the Broncos would earn their fourth-consecutive road win, matching their longest road winning streak since 2015.

A win would push the Broncos’ AFC West chances to 85 percent and improve their odds of getting the No. 1 seed by 5 percent, according to The Athletic’s playoff simulator.

These are the questions that will determine if Denver can earn a prime-time victory:

HOW DOES PAT SURTAIN II’S EXPECTED RETURN BOOST DENVER’S DEFENSE?

The Broncos’ star cornerback is set to make his return after missing the last three games, and he’ll rejoin a Denver defense that went 3-0 and allowed fewer than 14 points per game in his absence.

“[Those] guys, they exuded a lot of confidence out there,” Surtain said Friday. “[Those] dudes was playing lights out, and it made me a fan to watch on the sidelines. Just being out there, seeing from my lens, those guys playing with full strength and confidence, you could tell everybody was together, flying around, playing good ball. When you look at stuff like that, it makes it even more exciting to get back out there with the guys.”

Surtain and Denver’s defense will face an 11-year veteran in Mariota, who will make his sixth start of the season. In those previous starts, Mariota has thrown seven touchdowns to four interceptions while recording a 95.7 passer rating, but the Commanders have won just once this season with Mariota as a starter.

On Sunday, though, Mariota will regain a two-time Pro Bowl receiver in Terry McLaurin. The seventh-year player has recorded just 13 catches this season as he’s battled injuries, but he notched his lone touchdown of the year in his most recent action.

Surtain’s return, though, could pay dividends in the matchup against the talented wideout.

“He’s a great receiver,” Surtain said. “He’s been doing it consistently in this league for some time. It’s going to be a great matchup. I’m looking forward to it.”