Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Four turnovers and two back-breaking penalties on the game's final drive were the Buffalo Bills' undoing as they fell 24-22 against the Denver Broncos on "Monday Night Football" at Highmark Stadium.
The game began on a rather inglorious note, as running back James Cook fumbled on the opening play from scrimmage, giving the Broncos the football in Bills' territory.
The Broncos offense failed to pick up a first down after the turnover, but Wil Lutz converted on a 40-yard field goal attempt to give the Broncos the early lead.
The Bills did not fare much better on their ensuing possession.
Despite entering into Broncos territory, the Bills came away with nothing to show for it after a third down interception thrown by quarterback Josh Allen. The pass intended for wideout Gabe Davis bounded off the veteran's hands and into the arms of Broncos safety Justin Simmons for the second Buffalo turnover in as many drives.
The game then became rather uneventful, as the teams exchanged punts on four-consecutive drives before the Broncos capped off a seven-play, 37-yard drive with a miraculous seven-yard touchdown on fourth down. With quarterback Russel Wilson facing pressure and scrambling to extend the play, he lobbed a ball to the sidelines for Courtland Sutton, who made an improbable toe-dragging catch to make the score 9-0 after a missed extra point attempt from Lutz.
The Bills finally answered and get on the scoreboard with 3:41 remaining in the first half. Allen was able to connect with rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid alone in the end zone from 22 yards out to cap off an eight-play, 81-yard drive. After an offside penalty on the Broncos during Tyler Bass' extra point attempt, the Bills cut the deficit to a one point after Allen hooked up with Davis on a two-point conversion attempt.
The Broncos responded with a scoring drive of their own, this time with another field goal from Lutz, who put the Broncos up 12-8 with a 49-yard field goal.
The Broncos were gifted another opportunity to put points on the board before halftime.
On the first play of the next Bills drive, Allen was picked off along the far sidelines by Broncos defensive back Fabian Moreau, giving the Broncos the ball in Bills' territory.
Despite not finding the end zone before the end of the half, the Broncos turned to Lutz again, as he made good from 40 yards out to give the Broncos a 15-8 lead through 30 minutes.
After the first possessions of the second half for the Broncos and Bills resulted in a punt and failed fourth down conversion, respectively, the Bills defense made their presence felt by forcing and recovering a fumble at their own 46-yard line. Taron Johnson forced the ball out of the hands of Sutton, and Rasul Douglas came up with the recovery.
The Bills made quick work of their ensuing drive, marching 54 yards down the field in seven plays, culminating in a three-yard rushing touchdown by Latavius Murray to tie the game at 15-15.
After picking up one first down, the following Broncos drive came grinding to a halt after back-to-back sacks by Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa, respectively, forcing a punt.
However, the next Bills drive ended in another turnover, their fourth of the evening, on a mishandled exchange between Allen and Cook. That gave Denver the ball, once again, in Buffalo territory.
Despite the suboptimal situation, the Bills defense rose to the occasion again, allowing only four yards in the following three plays and forcing a Broncos punt.
After a brief Bills drive and a 27-yard punt return by Marvin Mims to set up Denver at their own 46-yard line, the Broncos regained the lead after Wilson hit Javonte Williams in the flat for a three-yard score to cap a 12-play, 54-yard drive.
However, a botched extra point attempt by the Broncos gave the Bills a chance at a lead with 5:06 to go in a 21-15 game.
The Bills promptly took the ball down the field and grabbed their first lead of the game.
Cook was able to pick up 69 yards on the first five plays of the drive before Allen called his own number from six yards out to put the Bills in front, 22-21, with 1:55 to go in regulation.
On Denver's following possession, after the Bills forced the Broncos to 3rd-and-10 from the Bills' 45-yard line, Taron Johnson was flagged for a costly 28-yard pass interference penalty to put the Broncos back into field goal range.
After three kneel downs, the Broncos quickly ran out the field goal unit with time ticking closer to 0:00, and Lutz pushed a 41-yard attempt just wide-right.
However, an inopportune 12 men on the field penalty gave Lutz another try from 36 yards out with just 4 seconds remaining on the clock. With his second attempt, Lutz capitalized to put the Broncos on top once and for all, 24-22.
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GAME SUMMARY
First Quarter:
- 3-0 DENVER: Broncos field goal (12:42) - Wil Lutz's 40-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive Info: 3 plays, 11 yards, 2:13
Second Quarter:
- 9-0 DENVER: Broncos touchdown (7:23) - Russell WiIson puts up a 7-yard pass to Courtland Sutton for a touchdown. (Wil Lutz's extra point attempt is no good).
Drive Info: 7 plays, 37 yards, 3:53
- 9-8 DENVER: Bills touchdown (3:41) - Josh Allen fires a 22-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Kincaid. (Buffalo's two-point conversation attempt it successful)
Drive Info: 8 plays, 81 yards, 3:41
- 12-8 DENVER: Broncos field goal (0:49) - Wil Lutz's 49-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive Info: 8 plays, 55 yards, 2:51
- 15-8 DENVER: Broncos field goal (0:02) - Wil Lutz's 40-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive Info: 4 plays, 9 yards, 0:37
Third Quarter:
- 15-15 TIE: Bills touchdown (6:45) - Latavius Murray rushes through the line for a 3-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive Info: 7 plays, 54 yards, 3:09
Fourth Quarter:
- 21-15 DENVER: Broncos touchdown (5:10) - Russell Wilson tosses a 3-yard touchdown pass to Javonte Williams. (Denver's extra point attempt is botched and unsuccessful)
Drive Info: 12 plays, 54 yards, 7:16
- 22-21 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (2:00) - Josh Allen rolls out and rushes for a 6-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive Info: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:11
- 24-22 DENVER: Broncos field goal (0:04) - Wil Lutz's 36-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive Info: 10 plays, 24 yards, 1:55
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills (5-5) will look to avenge their opening night loss in the Meadowlands, as they will host the New York Jets (4-5) this Sunday at Highmark Stadium for a 4:25 p.m. EST kickoff.