“Bills vs. Broncos Showdown: A Rollercoaster of Turnovers and Touchdowns! Will the Bills Bounce Back or Broncos Secure Victory?”
ORCHARD PARK –Bills vs. Broncos Following a Sunday afternoon where the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns secured their playoff positions with a 6-3 record, and the emerging 5-4 Houston Texans claimed the seventh AFC spot, the Buffalo Bills are entering a Monday night game with little room for error.
Hosting the 3-5 Denver Bills vs. Broncos, the 5-4 Bills find themselves in ninth place in the conference standings, still trailing the 5-4 Cincinnati Bengals. A victory could propel the Bills past the Bengals, but a loss would complicate their playoff prospects, marking their fifth defeat, the same as the Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Bills vs. Broncos
Buffalo’s playoff chances, relatively low for a team that entered the Super Bowl contention window in 2020, would suffer another blow if they were to lose to a resurgent Denver team.
This story will be updated as the game progresses.
Final score: Denver Broncos 24, Buffalo Bills 22
Wil Lutz needed two attempts, but he made the game-winning field goal as time expired. Bills vs. Broncos Russell Wilson kneeled on third down with 24 seconds left, and the Broncos ran their special teams unit onto the field for the field goal attempt. Lutz initially missed the 41-yard field goal, but the Bills had 12 men on defense during the quick change. Lutz got another chance from 5 yards closer and made the 36-yarder.
Bills vs. Broncos Buffalo outgained Denver 369 to 300 but committed four turnovers along with a turnover on downs, possessing the ball for only 22 minutes, 39 seconds.
Josh Allen completed 15 of 26 passes for 177 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, and Bills vs. Broncos James Cook rushed for 109 yards on 12 carries. Buffalo ran for 192 yards on 26 attempts for a 7.4 average. Russell Wilson went 24 of 29 for 193 yards and two touchdowns.
Bills vs. Broncos Taron Johnson flagged for pass interference
A defensive pass interference penalty on cornerback Taron Johnson bailed out the Broncos. On third-and-10 from the Bills’ 45-yard line with 35 seconds left, Jerry Jeudy beat Johnson off the line of scrimmage, and Wilson underthrew it under duress. Johnson never got turned around, and the 28-yard penalty brought the ball to the Bills’ 17.
Bills 22, Broncos 21: Josh Allen rushing touchdown gives Buffalo its first lead
The Bills took the lead as Buffalo handed the ball off to James Cook five straight times, and Bills vs. Broncos Josh Allen punched in the touchdown with a 2-yard run. Buffalo kept the ball on the ground for all six plays, going 75 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
James Cook recovers his own fumble and takes off running
James Cook fumbled again, but it turned out to be beneficial. Cook was credited with a 42-yard run after he burst up the middle, fumbled, caught the ball off the ground in stride, and kept running to the Broncos’ 26.
Broncos 21, Bills 15: Russell Wilson throws touchdown pass to Javonte Williams
Denver used three straight third-down conversions to keep the drive alive. The first was a 19-yard completion to Jerry Jeudy on third-and-10, and three plays later, Russell Wilson flipped a pass to Samaje Perine for 9 yards on third-and-7.
On the ensuing third down, Courtland Sutton made a 4-yard catch to convert a third-and-4. After a false start, Javonte Williams broke loose for 11 yards on first-and-15. Williams took a handoff 4 yards to the Bills’ 3 to set up first-and-goal. Wilson capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Williams. Riley Dixon couldn’t handle the snap on the extra point attempt and was forced to pick up the ball before being tackled at the Bills’ 27 for a failed extra point.
Bills punt, Marvin Mims return gives Broncos good field position – 12:22 4th quarter
Josh Allen opened with a 7-yard completion to Dalton Kincaid, and Latavius Murray picked up a first down with a 6-yard run. Stefon Diggs made a reception for 11 yards for another first down. Allen completed to Murray for 2 yards but threw two straight incompletions, and the Bills had to punt. Sam Martin punted 44 yards to the Broncos’ 19, but Marvin Mims returned it 27 yards to the Broncos’ 46.
Denver goes three-and-out – 14:52 4th quarter
Buffalo’s defense continued to bail out the offense. Denver went three-and-out with a 2-yard run, incompletion, and 2-yard pass. Riley Dixon punted 33 yards to the Bills’ 11. Denver has started four drives in Buffalo territory, resulting in a total of 6 points.
Bills lose another fumble on Josh Allen and James Cook handoff – 1:13 3rd quarter
Buffalo looked poised to take the lead, but then it turned the ball over for the fourth time. Josh Allen found a wide-open Gabe Davis for 37 yards, but on the ensuing play, Josh Allen and James Cook lost the ball on a handoff exchange. Linebacker Alex Singleton recovered at the Bills’ 48.
Bills sack Russell Wilson on two straight plays – 2:30 3rd quarter
Marvin Mims returned the kickoff 31 yards to the Broncos’ 39. Denver got into Buffalo territory with a first down but the Bills’ defensive line came up big. On second-and-6, Greg Rousseau sacked Russell Wilson for a loss of 6 yards. A.J. Epenesa followed with a sack on third down. Riley Dixon punted 42 yards to the Bills’ 11.
Broncos 15, Bills 15: Latavius Murry touchdown run ties the game
James Cook is running hard after his fumble to open the game. Cook sprinted up the middle for 11 yards, and two plays later, Josh Allen hit a deep ball to Khalil Shakir for 24 yards to the Broncos’ 16. Latavius Murray converted a third-and-2 with a 5-yard run to set up first and goal. Murray followed it with a touchdown.
Bills take the ball back with fumble recovery – 9:51 3rd quarter
The Bills took the ball back. On third-and-6, Russell Wilson threw low for Courtland Sutton, who made the catch but lost the ball on a hit by cornerback Taron Johnson. Rasul Douglas, acquired from the Green Bay Packers before the trade deadline, recovered at the Bills’ 43.
Bills turn the ball over on downs – 11:22 3rd quarter
Buffalo went for it on fourth-and-2. On first down, Josh Allen’s pass was batted at the line of scrimmage. Then Stefon Diggs dropped a pass, and Allen completed to Dalton Kincaid for 8 yards. Allen overthrew Khalil Shakir on their 48-yard line on fourth down.
Denver hampered by penalties to start the second half – 12:09 3rd quarter
The Broncos were unable to double dip. Running back Javonte Williams was flagged for holding, and center Lloyd Cushenberry was called for a false start to put Denver in a third-and-17. Russell Wilson scrambled for 5 yards. Riley Dixon punted 63 yards to the Bills’ 14, but Deonte Harty returned it 15 yards, and Denver was penalized for holding on the punt.
Halftime score: Broncos 15, Bills 8 after field goal as time expired
Josh Allen gifted three more points to the Broncos as he made an awful read and throw on first down following the kickoff. Fabian Moreau picked it off and returned it to the Buffalo 31.
The Broncos capitalized, and Wil Lutz kicked a 40-yard field goal to increase their lead to 15-8 at the break. Despite a deplorable first half, the Bills were fortunate to be only down one score.
Allen has completed 9 of 15 passes for 86 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, and Latavius Murray has 54 yards rushing on six carries for the Bills. Russell Wilson is 12 of 14 for 114 yards and a touchdown for the Broncos.
Josh Allen throws a second interception of the first half
Buffalo has turned the ball over three times in six first-half possessions. The Bills got the ball with 37 seconds left in the second quarter, and Allen threw a pick on the first play. Allen was looking for Deonte Harty along the left sideline, and it was intercepted by cornerback Fabian Moreau, who returned it 10 yards to the Bills’ 31.
Broncos 12, Bills 8: Wil Lutz makes a 49-yard field goal
Denver answered Buffalo’s first score of the night with an eight-play, 45-yard drive that resulted in Wil Lutz’s 49-yard field goal.
On the first play after the kickoff, the Bills blitzed Russell Wilson, and it failed miserably. He had all night to throw and found Courtland Sutton wide open for a 30-yard gain to the Bills 45, but from there, the Buffalo defense stiffened with the help of a Broncos holding penalty.
Bills vs. Broncos 9, Bills 8: Buffalo strikes quickly with Josh Allen TD pass to Dalton Kincaid
James Cook made his return to the game after being benched for fumbling on the first play. The kid had something to prove, and Ken Dorsey gave him the chance. The first play of the possession was a pass to Cook for seven yards, then running plays that went for 14, 5, and 3 yards to get the Bills started on what became an 8-play, 81-yard scoring drive.
Bills vs. Broncos Stefon Diggs pitched in with a 14-yard reception before Dalton Kincaid got open down the right sideline, and Allen dropped in a perfect 22-yard TD pass.
On the extra point, Sean McDermott took the point off the board when the Broncos jumped offside and decided to try for two points. Allen then threw a dime to the back of the end zone to Gabe Davis, cutting the Bills’ deficit to 9-8.
Broncos 9, Bills 0: Courtland Sutton drags toes for fourth-down touchdown catch
As the Bills’ offense continues to struggle, the Bills vs. Broncos have extended their lead to nine points. A terrible Sam Martin punt gave Denver a drive start at midfield, and Russell Wilson – with the help of a 15-yard personal foul penalty on Dorian Williams – drove the Broncos to a fourth-and-2 at the 7. Denver decided to go for it, and Wilson, chased out of the pocket by Shaq Lawson, threw what looked like a prayer to Courtland Sutton in the left end zone.
Sutton made a spectacular catch, initially ruled incomplete but overturned on replay as it was determined he got both feet in bounds.
Wil Lutz missed the extra point attempt.
Bills go three-and-out – 11:10 2nd quarter
James Cook has still not played a snap since fumbling to open the game. Latavius Murray carried for 5 yards, made a catch for no gain, and Josh Allen’s third-down pass went off Dalton Kincaid’s hands. Bills vs. Broncos Sam Martin punted 44 yards, and it was returned 17 yards by Marvin Mims to the Bills vs. Broncos 48. Bills vs. Broncos fans are booing in Orchard Park.
Denver punts – 12:47 2nd quarter
Buffalo’s defense is keeping it in the game. The Bills vs. Broncos gained two first downs but were forced to punt. On third-and-13, Russell Wilson checked down to Adam Trautman for 9 yards. Riley Dixon punted 46 yards into the end zone.
1st quarter score: Bills vs. Broncos 3,
Bills punt instead of turning the ball over – 2:30 1st quarter
At least it wasn’t a turnover. Buffalo started with a first down on Stefon Diggs’ 9-yard punt and Latavius Murray’s 3-yard run. But then Allen’s designed run only gained 1 yard, Murray dropped a pass in the flat, and Allen threw incomplete for Diggs on third down. Sam Martin punted 46 yards to the Broncos’ 21.
Denver punts – 4:24 1st quarter
Buffalo’s two turnovers have only turned into 3 points. Bills vs. Broncos drive started promisingly with a 14-yard pass from Russell Wilson to Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Javonte Williams went 17 yards on a catch-and-run to get near midfield, but Denver went backward after that. The Broncos were called for a false start, Marvin Mims Jr. lost 2 yards on an end-around, Terrel Bernard was credited with a sack, and Wilson’s third-down pass was incomplete. Bills vs. Broncos Riley Dixon punted 58 yards into the end zone for a touchback.
Josh Allen intercepted off deflected pass – 8:22 1st quarter
Two possessions, two turnovers. It’s been a disastrous start for the Bills’ offense. Bills vs. Broncos Buffalo was driving in Denver territory when Josh Allen’s pass over the middle went off the hands of Gabe Davis and was picked off by safety Justin Simmons.
Latavius Murray gives Bills spark with big runs
Buffalo’s second drive started with a holding penalty on guard O’Cyrus Torrence. Dalton Kincaid made a 4-yard catch, and the Bills converted a third-and-16 with an 18-yard rip from Josh Allen to Gabe Davis. Latavius Murray took back-to-back carries for 9 yards and 20 yards to the Bills vs. Broncos 34.
Bills vs. Broncos 3, Bills 0: Wil Lutz makes a 40-yard field goal after Buffalo fumble
It is extremely rare when the Bills win the coin toss and decide to receive, but that was Sean McDermott’s call Monday night. He wanted the ball first, in the hope the offense could get out to an early lead.
And then, on the first play of the game, Josh Allen threw a short pass to James Cook, and he fumbled with Denver recovering at the Bills 28.
The Bills vs. Broncos Buffalo defense stood up to the test, though, and forced a three-and-out which was helped by a Broncos penalty, so Will Lutz kicked a 40-yard field goal to give the Bills vs. Broncos the early 3-0 lead.
