New Way for Elway to Pull Out a Game : Interconference: Quarterback throws 43-yard touchdown pass on final play of game against Redskins.

The king of comebacks did it again Sunday.

John Elway threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Rod Smith on the final play of the game, giving the Denver Broncos a 38-31 victory over the stunned Washington Redskins.

With the game about to go into overtime tied 31-31, Elway took the snap on a fourth down with six seconds left. He dropped back, then stepped up to avoid the rush and found Smith at the goal line. Smith, a first-year receiver who spent last season on the Broncos’ practice squad, leaped and beat the Redskins’ Darrell Green to the ball.

It was Smith’s first catch in the NFL.

For the 35-year-old Elway, it was the 35th fourth-quarter game-saving drive of his career. Despite all of those miracle finishes, this one was different.

“I think it’s the first time since I started playing football that I’ve thrown a touchdown pass on the last play to win a game,” Elway said, “so this was extra special.

“It took me a second to realize what had just happened. I was stunned.”

Imagine how the Redskins felt.

“It was a great throw and an incredible catch,” Redskin Coach Norv Turner said. “It’s hard to win in Denver with the crowd and Elway at quarterback.”

Said Green: “It was a smart play on their part. It’s the only thing you can do. [Smith] is a lot taller, and he just came down with the ball. It’s a heartbreaker.”

Said Smith: “I saw it coming and I said, ‘I’ve got to get it, no matter what.’ I jumped up and made the play. It was just great. I can’t describe it.”

Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan said Elway “did a great job of stepping up into the pocket to buy some time and give Rod a chance to get in the end zone.”

Brian Mitchell’s kick returns and Gus Frerotte’s three touchdown passes pulled the Redskins (1-2) into a tie, but the Broncos went 80 yards in eight plays in the final 1:07 seconds to steal the game.

Mitchell had five kickoff returns for 188 yards and a punt return for 52 more.

Elway passed to Ed McCaffrey for 19 yards to approach midfield. Then, on fourth and 10, Elway, who completed 30 of 47 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns, delivered another sensational finish for the Broncos (2-1).