The Denver Broncos improved to 4-5 on the season after a big upset victory against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.
Denver Broncos defense flies around in first half vs. Buffalo Bills
Monday Night’s primetime showdown between the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills saw the Broncos generate some momentum on the first play from scrimmage. After the Bills won the coin toss, they elected to receive.
Second-year cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian wrapped up Bills running back James Cook, stripped the ball free from him, and recovered it, immediately giving Denver the ball in excellent field position. After the Bills’ defense held up, the Broncos went up 3-0 after Wil Lutz booted in a 40-yard field goal.
Denver’s defense would come up big once again on the next series, with Justin Simmons snagging his third interception of the season to generate two takeaways on their first two defensive drives.
The Broncos defense continued to generate stops on defense forcing Buffalo to punt back to back drives after they generated two takeaways. In the second quarter, rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims rattled off a 17-yard punt return that gave Denver possession right past midfield.
Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense moved the ball downfield into the redzone, where they went for it on 4th and 2. Wilson scrambled away from pressure and found Courtland Sutton who got two feet inbounds with a toe drag from his right foot, leading to a wild touchdown catch that gave Denver a 9-0 lead after Wil Lutz missed the extra point.
That’s a TD. 🙌@SuttonCourtland | 📺: ESPN
pic.twitter.com/zaG23qCKWa— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 14, 2023
Josh Allen and the Bills responded with a furious 8-play 81-yard drive that took just three minutes, finding a way to get into the endzone. They converted on a 2 pt. conversion that cut Denver’s lead to 9-8.
With several minutes remaining in the first half, the Broncos drove into field goal range, where Wil Lutz nailed a 49-yard field goal to extend Denver’s lead to 12-8.
On Denver’s next defensive possession, Fabian Moreau intercepted Josh Allen, giving them immediate possession of the football. Lutz booted in another field goal from 40 yards out as time expired to extend Denver’s lead to 15-8.
Denver Broncos offense sputters in second half, Lutz last second field goal seals the win
After going into halftime with all the momentum, the Broncos opened up the second half with the football. Penalties continued to impact the offensive operation, with two penalties setting Denver’s offense back into their fifth 3rd and 12+ scenario of the evening.
With Buffalo’s defense swarming, the Broncos were forced to punt the football away once again. The Bills offense took over and went for it on 4th and 2 but was unable to convert, giving Denver the football back.
However, momentum began to negatively spiral after Courtland Sutton fumbled after having to catch a low pass from Russell Wilson. The Bills marched downfield to score, tying things up at 15 each.
Denver’s offense after that sputtered on their ensuing possession, with Wilson getting sacked twice on second and third down, forcing them to punt it away.
On the Bills ensuing possession, Josh Allen went to hand the ball off to James Cook but didn’t place it correctly, leading to Denver’s fourth takeaway of the game after Alex Singleton recovered the fumble.
Once again, the Broncos offense couldn’t do anything with the gifted opportunity, sputtering once again.
After another Bills punt and great punt return from Marvin Mims, Russell Wilson, and Javonte Williams helped cap off an impressive drive that drained nearly seven minutes off the clock after Wilson connected with Williams for a touchdown. Another blunder on special teams led to another failed point conversion, giving Denver a 21-15 advantage.
James Cook rattled off a 42-yard run and marched the Bills right down into the red zone, giving them a chance to take the lead. Coming out of the two-minute warning, Josh Allen put the Bills on top 22-21 after scrambling for a QB keeper.
Denver’s two missed XPs loomed large, with the Broncos needing to drive downfield to try and win. Wilson and the offense were able to march downfield after several big plays got them past midfield.
The Broncos found themselves in a position to kick a game-winning 41-yard field goal. Lutz missed the kick initially, but the Bills had 12 players on the field, leading to a re-kick.
Lutz nailed the follow-up attempt to give Denver the 24-22 victory as the Broncos improved to 4-5 on the year.
Broncos bits vs. Buffalo Bills
- Safety P.J. Locke left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return.
- The Broncos offense finished with 300 total yards of offense, with 122 coming on the ground.
- Denver’s defense forced four takeaways and stopped the Bills on fourth down on one series.
- Penalties were still an issue for the Broncos as they committed 10 penalties that accounted for 61 yards lost.
- Russell Wilson finished the game 24-of-29 passing for 193 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 117.4.
- The Broncos offense was 8-of-19 on third down attempts tonight, while the Broncos defense held the Bills offense to 3-of-8 on third down.
- Denver’s defense surrendered 192 yards on the ground in the rushing department, with Bills running back James Cook leading the way with 109 yards on 12 carries.
- Safety Justin Simmons interception in the first quarter was his third of the season and 30th career interception.
- In the Broncos last two games, they’ve forced nine total takeaways.