Buffalo reaches new low; can’t get out of their own way against Denver
The Buffalo Bills fell to the Denver Broncos following a mindless last-second penalty during a missed field goal on Monday, Nov. 13 (Courtesy of Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Week 10 of the National Football League (NFL) season concluded with the 5-4 Buffalo Bills hosting the 3-5 Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football on Nov. 13. The Bills came into the game having just lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, while the Broncos were coming out of their bye week re-energized after taking down the Kansas City Chiefs in week eight.
The first play from scrimmage on Monday night laid the groundwork for the rest of the game. Buffalo started on offense and immediately turned the ball over as running back James Cook fumbled the ball after taking in a pass from quarterback Josh Allen. Cook was subsequently benched as the Broncos took over on offense at the Bills’ 28-yard line. Denver was unable to secure a first down and kicked a 40-yard field goal to take the lead just four plays later.
The Bills’ next drive took four minutes off the clock and included some big plays, but ultimately ended similarly to their first. After a pass to wide receiver Gabe Davis for 18 yards and a 21-yard rush by running back Latavius Murray, Buffalo found themselves just outside of the red zone. For the sixth consecutive week, though, Allen turned the ball over as his pass bounced off Davis’ hands and right into a defender’s for an interception.
Later in the first half, following four consecutive punts, the Broncos began a drive already in Buffalo’s end of the field. Denver took only four minutes to score the first touchdown of the game as several short gains led to quarterback Russell Wilson finding wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who made a miraculous grab right by the sideline, to put the team up by nine points.
The Bills regained possession and put together one of their most impressive drives of the game as Cook re-entered and had multiple solid rushes while wide receiver Stefon Diggs cut up the defense on a 14-yard catch-and-run. The drive ended with Allen finding rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid for a 22-yard touchdown pass before a successful two-point conversion lessened their deficit to one point with just over three minutes left in the second quarter.
The final minutes of the first half were chaotic as the Broncos quickly worked 45 yards downfield before kicking a 49-yard field goal to extend their lead to four. The Bills took over and immediately turned the ball over for the third time as Allen was intercepted again, this time at the team’s own 31-yard line. With 37 seconds left on the clock, Denver moved nine yards closer to the end zone before kicking a 40-yard field goal to go to the break leading 15-8.
The second half began slowly as the Broncos punted, the Bills turned the ball over on downs after only four plays, and Denver gave the ball right back as Sutton lost a fumble after a three-yard reception.
Buffalo took advantage and finally assembled a solid drive as Allen found wide receiver Khalil Shakir on a 24-yard pass downfield. Allen and Murray ran the ball to get the team within five yards of the goal line before Murray took off once more and found the end zone to tie the game at 15.
With 12 minutes left in regulation, Denver took over on offense and completely tore apart the Bills’ defense on a 12-play drive that took over seven minutes. Aside from two plays of 19 and 11-yard gains, the Broncos worked no more than five yards per snap on the drive. It didn’t matter, though, as the team gained 51 yards before Wilson found running back Javonte Williams on the right side of the field for a three-yard score.
Buffalo then made their way downfield in just over three minutes, largely due to a 42-yard rush by Cook. Allen scrambled past the left tackle from Denver’s six-yard line and into the endzone to retake the lead 22-21 with under two minutes left in the game.
It was too much time, however, as the Broncos somehow snapped the ball ten times to set up a 41-yard field goal. Kicker Wil Lutz missed and the Bills began to celebrate their win before they realized a flag was thrown and the team was punished for having twelve men on the field during the play. Denver was then given another chance at the kick and Lutz sent it right down the middle of the uprights and the Broncos came away with a 24-22 win.
The loss was extremely consequential for Buffalo, as offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey was fired after less than two seasons the following morning on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Quarterback coach Joe Brady was named interim coordinator and will look to change the team’s performance next week when the squad takes on the New York Jets at home on Sunday, Nov. 19.