Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills kicked off their playoff push in impressive fashion, utilizing a dominant second half to eliminate the Denver Broncos, 31-7, in the AFC Wild Card Round on Sunday at Highmark Stadium.
The Broncos received the opening kickoff and wasted not time putting up the first points of the game. It came courtesy of rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who fired a deep shot down the field to fellow rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin for a 43-yard touchdown.
Buffalo was unable to put seven points on the board for their first drive, though Josh Allen and James Cook helped get the Bills into scoring position in the Denver red zone. Tyler Bass successfully kicked a 26-yard field goal to lessen the early deficit to 7-3.
After a big stop by Buffalo's defense, momentum started to swing fully in the Bills' direction.
Following a 13-play, 81-yard drive that took more than seven-and-a-half minutes off the clock, Allen and the offense found pay dirt. It resulted in Cook punching his way into the end zone from five yards out to give the Bills their first lead of the contest.
Denver kept themselves alive on their next possession by pulling off some trickery, faking a punt on fourth down. Broncos punter Riley Dixon found Marvin Mims Jr. to extend the drive, but in the end, it was all for naught, as the Bills defense stood tall and forced a true punt a few plays later.
Neither team could put anymore points on the board before the first half ended.
Nix and the Broncos were driving as time came to a close, and got far enough into field goal range for kicker Wil Lutz with 5 seconds left in the second quarter. However, Lutz's kick from 50 yards out was drilled into the right goal post, and fell no good.
Buffalo received the second half kickoff and were, once again, held to a field goal. Bass was automatic, though, for Buffalo, extending the Bills lead to 13-7 with a 27-yard kick.
Following a three-and-out of the Broncos offense on their first drive of the half, Allen and the offense looked to make this game a two-score affair.
After advancing as far as the Broncos' 24-yard line, Buffalo faced a 4th-and-1 situation and elected to go for it. Allen was able to buy some time before firing a strike to the back of the end zone for running back Ty Johnson for a touchdown. The play was reviewed, but the call was upheld, as Johnson stayed inbounds while going low to make the catch.
The offense then stayed on the field to attempt a two-point conversion to make it a 14-point game. Allen was able to find wide receiver Keon Coleman to put Buffalo ahead 21-7 late in the third quarter..
Another three-and-out offensively for the Broncos opened the door for the Bills to put this game out of reach entering the opening stages of the fourth quarter.
All it took was three plays for the Bills to find the end zone again. This time, it was Allen connecting deep with veteran wide receiver Curtis Samuel, who then turned on the jets to find the end zone from 55 yards out.
Insult to injury became the story for the Broncos, as they were still unable to answer Buffalo's stampede. After finally finding some success at moving the football, their next drive ended in a turnover on downs after a fourth-down short pass from Nix to Jaleel McLaughlin came up just short of the sticks.
Buffalo then put the game to rest with a long 14-play drive, spanning 70 yards and chewing nearly seven more minutes off the clock. While it didn't result in a touchdown, Bass added three more points for the Bills after a 34-yard field goal.
In one last desperation drive, the Broncos only ended up going backwards, going four-and-out and turning the ball over on downs once again.
Mitch Trubisky then entered the game for Buffalo under center in the final 3:20 of regulation, only to help close out the 31-7 victory at Highmark Stadium, and secure the Bills their fifth-straight victory in the Wild Card Round.
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SCORING RECAP:
First Quarter:
- 7-0 DENVER: Broncos touchdown (12:36) - Bo Nix passes deep to Troy Franklin for a 43 yard touchdown. (Wil Lutz's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 5 plays, 70 yards, 2:24
- 7-3 DENVER: Bills field goal (7:13) - Tyler Bass' 26-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 12 plays, 59 yards, 5:29
Second Quarter:
- 10-7 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (12:57) - James Cook rushes for a 5-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 13 plays, 81 yards, 7:35
Third Quarter:
- 13-7 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (10:03) - Tyler Bass' 27-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 8 plays, 55 yards, 4:57
- 21-7 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (3:06) - Josh Allen completes a 24-yard pass to Ty Johnson for a touchdown. (Josh Allen's pass to KColeman is complete, Two Point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 73 yards, 5:34
Fourth Quarter:
- 28-7 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (14:49) - Josh Allen passes to Curtis Samuel for a 55-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 3 plays, 59 yards, 1:17
- 31-7 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (4:41) - Tyler Bass' 34-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 14 plays, 70 yards, 6:55
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills advance to the AFC Divisional Round for a fifth-straight season, where Buffalo will host the Baltimore Ravens. Kickoff is slated for Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. EST from Highmark Stadium. Be sure to catch all the playoff action on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.
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