The Denver Broncos stunned the Buffalo Bills, 24-22, on the road Monday night with a field goal to move to 4-5 on the season.
The Bills are now 6-5, having lost consecutive games.
After Josh Allen and the Bills offense took their first lead of the night on a 6-yard quarterback touchdown, Russell Wilson and the Broncos, down just one point, had a chance to win.
Wilson was able to gain the yards needed for a 41-yard field goal attempt by Wil Lutz, and with no timeouts and the clock approaching zero, Denver’s field goal unit raced down the field to speed up their kick before the end. of the game. .
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Broncos WR Courtland Sutton catches a 7-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. (USA TODAY Sports)
In the rush, Lutz missed the game-winning goal wide right and it looked like the Bills were going to steal the victory. However, on a night full of Buffalo mistakes, they made their biggest yet when a flag was thrown for too many men on the field.
Giving the Broncos field goal team another chance five yards closer, Lutz kicked up the middle on a 36-yard play to end the game.
Looking back at what happened before that field goal, Buffalo should not have been in a position to win the game in the first place.
Buffalo’s offense struggled mightily during the game, primarily due to momentum-killing turnovers.
The problems began on the first play of the game when Allen threw a short pass to running back James Cook, who took the ball a few yards, but Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian was not satisfied with simply tackling Cook to the ground. . instead, he ripped the ball.
McMillian fell on the ball and immediately gave Wilson and the Broncos offense work.
Two more brutal turnovers for Buffalo came in the first half, starting with a ball that went through the hands of wide receiver Gabe Davis on a pass that Allen ran through a Broncos zone defense. Davis was not covered, so he was expected to catch the ball. Instead, Justin Simmons was left with the choice.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) prepares to throw in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium on Nov. 13, 2023. (Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports)
The third turnover came just after the Broncos kicked a field goal to take a 12-8 lead into the second quarter. Allen took control with less than a minute left when he attempted to hit Khalil Shakir at the boundary, but Fabian Moreau read the play in its entirety, skipping the route for the interception that ultimately set up another field goal before the end of the game. half.
THE BRONCOS TROLL CHIEF FLYING TO TAYLOR SWIFT KNOCKED THROUGHOUT THE STADIUM AFTER A MAJOR ANNOYANCE
The second half saw a better effort from the Bills early despite turning the ball over. It started with a Denver turnover when Taron Johnson knocked the ball out of Sutton’s arms and the Bills recovered it with perfect field position to make up points.
The Bills took advantage of the running game on the ensuing drive, with Latavius Murray punching in from three yards out to tie the game at 15 after Tyler Bass’ extra point, but the turnover problem was not there. over for the Bills.
Latavius Murray #28 of the Buffalo Bills carries the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium on November 13, 2023 in New York. (Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
On their next drive, after forcing another Broncos punt, Allen simply missed a handoff attempt to Cook at midfield, which Denver picked up.
Although it didn’t lead to points, Wilson and the Broncos offense finally put together another touchdown drive, this one killing seven minutes and 16 seconds in the fourth quarter. After 12 plays and 54 yards, Wilson threw a short pass to Javonte Williams, who scored for a 21-15 lead.
However, the extra point attempt caused it to be caught by punter Riley Dixon, who attempted to run for two points but was tackled.
Allen’s rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter was almost the deciding factor in this rollercoaster of a game, but instead, it became another freak occurrence that worked in the Broncos’ favor.
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson #3 throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium on November 13, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York. (Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)
The play of the game was definitely the first touchdown when classic Wilson climbed all over the pocket and threw a pass toward the left back of the end zone where Sutton came flying in, put his feet in bounds and leaned toward the ball. to secure the score.
That magnificent catch led to a surprising victory for the Broncos, which keeps them in the fight for the playoffs.
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Meanwhile, the Bills have more questions to answer about whether they are playoff contenders after they couldn’t handle business at home as expected.