Broncos defeat Bills on road with Wil Lutz’s game-winning field goal

[Buddy]

Broncos defeat Bills on road with Wil Lutz’s game-winning field goal

View the full article

[HipKat]

Wil Lutz hit a 36-yard field goal as time expired to give the Denver Broncos a 24-22 win over the Buffalo Bills on the road Monday night. Here’s what you need to know:

• Lutz initially missed a 41-yard attempt in the final seconds but the Bills had 12 men on the field, so the penalty enabled him to kick again.
• Trailing 22-21 with 1:55 remaining, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson led a 10-play, 57-yard drive that culminated in the go-ahead kick. He finished 24-of-29 passing for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Buffalo QB Josh Allen was 15-of-26 passing for 177 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one throwing) but also had two interceptions and a lost fumble.
• Safety Damar Hamlin, who recovered from a cardiac arrest suffered during a game last season, made his second appearance of the season for Buffalo.
• This is Denver’s first three-game winning streak since 2021. The Broncos improved to 4-5 while the Bills dropped to 5-5.

Highlight of the game

Late-game magic from Wilson

The Broncos escaped Buffalo with a win thanks to some vintage magic from Wilson.

Denver on Monday failed its first 10 third-down conversion attempts of 6 yards more. On a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter, Wilson’s improvisation helped the Broncos convert two straight long third downs — and three overall — en route to a go-ahead touchdown.

Then, after Allen scored on a 6-yard touchdown run to give the Bills a 22-21 lead, Wilson executed a two-minute drill that ended in Lutz’s game-winning field goal. The drive was jump-started when Wilson evaded pressure and flipped the ball to Samaje Perine, who gained 18 yards. Wilson then overcame a second-down sack and fired for Jerry Jeudy on third-and-10, drawing a pass interference on Taron Johnson that set up Denver’s winning field goal.

It was a clutch, late-game performance from Wilson, the kind the Broncos envisioned when they traded five draft picks to acquire the nine-time Pro Bowler. — Nick Kosmider, Broncos staff writer

Has Denver’s defense fully rebounded?

The Broncos gave up 70 points to the Dolphins in Week 3. Since then, they’ve held Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to one offensive touchdown in two meetings, flummoxed Allen and the Bills on the road and become arguably the most advantageous unit in the league.

Denver forced four turnovers Monday after forcing five in its Week 8 win against the Chiefs. Ja’Quan McMillian, whose insertion into the lineup at the nickel spot is one of several significant personnel changes Denver made following its flop in Miami, forced a fumble and recovered it on the game’s first play, setting a physical, flying-around tone.

In total, the Broncos picked Allen off twice and recovered two fumbles. They also came away with a big fourth-down stop in the third quarter. — Kosmider

What went wrong for Buffalo

Where do you start? The Bills continue to play joyless football. Their fans are miserable. Highmark Stadium, when it wasn’t filled with boos Monday night, felt dead.

The Broncos missed two extra points and then a 41-yard field goal attempt with four seconds left. But the Bills had too many men on the field and gave Lutz one more shot at redemption. He made the 36-yarder, an appropriate ending to a game neither team deserved to win.

Buffalo’s once-fearsome offense remained pitiful, committing three turnovers and dropping three passes in the first half alone. Top tailback James Cook was stripped on the first play and benched the next three series. Allen threw two interceptions, one of them his fault, the other zipping right threw receiver Gabriel Davis’ gloves.

In the second half, Allen dropped a handoff Denver recovered. Then Cook recovered his own fumble on a miraculous 42-yard gain that set up Allen’s winning touchdown run with 1:55 left despite not leading all night until then.

Bills coach Sean McDermott and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey have been under fire for weeks. A hideous, last-minute loss to the anemic Broncos won’t quell the fans’ disgust, not with such a nasty schedule ahead. — Tim Graham, Buffalo senior writer

Does Buffalo need to make a change?

The Bills’ playoff hopes are quickly slipping through their hands following a bad home loss to a Broncos team far away from a playoff position. While it wasn’t an outright must-win game, it was one the Bills really could have used ahead of a brutal stretch of games against the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers. Now with unexpected losses to the New England Patriots and Broncos, the 5-5 Bills likely need to go at least 4-2 through that difficult stretch just to have a look at the postseason. This is the most the Bills have struggled in the regular season since 2018, the last time the Bills missed the playoffs.

The offense, for a sixth straight game, failed to get back on track as the frustration continued to build for the once-dynamic group. Even without many injuries and stocked with talent, the Bills have not looked right for almost the entire 2023 season. Now all eyes will be on the OC Dorsey, who has seemingly been on the hot seat for the last few games to get things turned around. The Bills will need to decide if they want to act and move on from Dorsey before their gantlet of games, and on a short week, no less. Dorsey may not be the only problem, but if there’s one thing that McDermott can change to spark a reaction and response in his offense, that might be the only card he has left to play. — Joe Buscaglia, Bills staff writer

Key stat

The Broncos kicked the sixth game-winning field goal as time expired in regulation in Week 10, the most in a single week in NFL history, per ESPN Stats & Info.

[jamsim67]

They usually show a replay of someone trying to get off the field in a two many men penalty, did they finally show it?

I'm not buying into what we are seeing, but it's hard to completely break away. I guess I need to go cold turkey, and deal with the sweats. I knew there were a lot of game winning field goals as time expired, but that's a lot. Just a coincidence though, I'm sure.

Coaches (all teams) do not coach this way during the game, or in crunch time. QB's, do not consistently throw into double and triple coverage, and then sulk on the sidelines after an interception. If the intent is to win, I think they would coach and play that way. Evidently not.

Everything that we are forced to watch, is done for ratings. I don't like sports entertainment. I don't feel entertained, just tired. I'm guessing that when you sign your name on the dotted line for millions, you are the property of NFL.Inc, and you do things their way. And in Buffalo, I guess that includes playing the part of dumb ass players, helping to rip the hearts out of the fans who support them. No fan is bigger than the ratings.

Even though it won't happen, all fans should just stay home, do something else on game day, hurt the owners at their wallet. But at the very least, start asking questions about the garbage that we are consistently being fed on game day. Coaches and players, who have been involved in this game their entire life, are not this stupid. We, shouldn't be.

[HipKat]

2 hours ago, jamsim67 said:

They usually show a replay of someone trying to get off the field in a two many men penalty, did they finally show it?

I'm not buying into what we are seeing, but it's hard to completely break away. I guess I need to go cold turkey, and deal with the sweats. I knew there were a lot of game winning field goals as time expired, but that's a lot. Just a coincidence though, I'm sure.

Coaches (all teams) do not coach this way during the game, or in crunch time. QB's, do not consistently throw into double and triple coverage, and then sulk on the sidelines after an interception. If the intent is to win, I think they would coach and play that way. Evidently not.

Everything that we are forced to watch, is done for ratings. I don't like sports entertainment. I don't feel entertained, just tired. I'm guessing that when you sign your name on the dotted line for millions, you are the property of NFL.Inc, and you do things their way. And in Buffalo, I guess that includes playing the part of dumb ass players, helping to rip the hearts out of the fans who support them. No fan is bigger than the ratings.

Even though it won't happen, all fans should just stay home, do something else on game day, hurt the owners at their wallet. But at the very least, start asking questions about the garbage that we are consistently being fed on game day. Coaches and players, who have been involved in this game their entire life, are not this stupid. We, shouldn't be.

Sorry dude, but I’m convinced. It’s fixed. It is not a coincidence how many times the buffalo has had a lead near the end of the game and the other team found a way to merge right down the field and scored.

[jamsim67]

1 hour ago, HipKat said:

Sorry dude, but I’m convinced. It’s fixed. It is not a coincidence how many times the buffalo has had a lead near the end of the game and the other team found a way to merge right down the field and scored.

Don't apologize. We need to stop giving this shit our attention. But it's league wide. 10 games in one week, coming down to last minute/second field goals is a little hard to believe. And it's a weekly thing. All about the ratings. Players and coaches have prostituted themselves

It's a big club, and you and I ain't in it.

[BrewMan]

6 hours ago, jamsim67 said:

They usually show a replay of someone trying to get off the field in a two many men penalty, did they finally show it?

I'm not buying into what we are seeing, but it's hard to completely break away. I guess I need to go cold turkey, and deal with the sweats. I knew there were a lot of game winning field goals as time expired, but that's a lot. Just a coincidence though, I'm sure.

Coaches (all teams) do not coach this way during the game, or in crunch time. QB's, do not consistently throw into double and triple coverage, and then sulk on the sidelines after an interception. If the intent is to win, I think they would coach and play that way. Evidently not.

Everything that we are forced to watch, is done for ratings. I don't like sports entertainment. I don't feel entertained, just tired. I'm guessing that when you sign your name on the dotted line for millions, you are the property of NFL.Inc, and you do things their way. And in Buffalo, I guess that includes playing the part of dumb ass players, helping to rip the hearts out of the fans who support them. No fan is bigger than the ratings.

Even though it won't happen, all fans should just stay home, do something else on game day, hurt the owners at their wallet. But at the very least, start asking questions about the garbage that we are consistently being fed on game day. Coaches and players, who have been involved in this game their entire life, are not this stupid. We, shouldn't be.

I count 12 here.  11 on the line and one guy with his arms up.  Game would have been over.  No conspiracy just bad execution by the Bills.

[jamsim67]

2 hours ago, BrewMan said:

I count 12 here.  11 on the line and one guy with his arms up.  Game would have been over.  No conspiracy just bad execution by the Bills.

Just what the Range needs, that Patriot fan stopping by, using the word conspiracy and telling us that "there's nothing to see here."

Cheers

 

[BrewMan]

Sorry to have upset your feelings.  It must be hard to get through your day thinking the NFL put those 12 men on the field.....

[jamsim67]

1 hour ago, BrewMan said:

Sorry to have upset your feelings.  It must be hard to get through your day thinking the NFL put those 12 men on the field.....

Thanks, but my feelings are just fine. The Bill's lost (sort of) not me, and it is just sports (sort of). Strange that you think this is all about a two many men on the field penalty though.

However, it is sports entertainment, and not a real sport, so maybe the NFL did put those 12 men on the field. Hmmmm

 

[Toofast80]

10 hours ago, jamsim67 said:

Just what the Range needs, that Patriot fan stopping by, using the word conspiracy and telling us that "there's nothing to see here."

Cheers

 

During the Cheatriots supposed reign over the AFC/NFL was when it became VERY APPARENT that the league was manipulating games to suite their agenda! Through the referees they can “sway” a game any direction they want, then they will call some penalties on the other team, late in the game to make it appear balanced on the stat sheets. 

[jamsim67]

3 hours ago, Toofast80 said:

During the Cheatriots supposed reign over the AFC/NFL was when it became VERY APPARENT that the league was manipulating games to suite their agenda! Through the referees they can “sway” a game any direction they want, then they will call some penalties on the other team, late in the game to make it appear balanced on the stat sheets. 

True, but coaches and players are involved as well. They do things that any sane player or coach would not do if the most important outcome was winning the game. The NFL does not pass the smell test.

[HipKat]

14 hours ago, jamsim67 said:

True, but coaches and players are involved as well. They do things that any sane player or coach would not do if the most important outcome was winning the game. The NFL does not pass the smell test.

Of course, every solid fan has said they could do better at _______________ .Because the thing in the blank is something common sense that no one who had the position would ever do. But they do all the time. McD and his bullshit Time Outs, for example

[jamsim67]

19 hours ago, HipKat said:

Of course, every solid fan has said they could do better at _______________ .Because the thing in the blank is something common sense that no one who had the position would ever do. But they do all the time. McD and his bullshit Time Outs, for example

Or throwing the ball, instead of running it with a lead, late in games when your opponent is out of TO's or to make them use their TO's stopping the clock and allowing them to get the ball back for one last game winning field goal as the clock expires (10 last weekend). Ratings Bonanza. I've seen plenty of teams do this, but the ones that stand out are San Diego doing it twice against KC. Inside the 10, very late in the game, KC has no TO's left, all they need is a field goal to win and they throw on 1st down giving Mahomes one last chance. Because let's face it, winning the game is great, but not at the expense of giving Mahomes one last chance. It wouldn't be fair. Look at Houston last weekend. Two score lead late in the game, running the ball down the Bengals throat, and they decide to throw a pass to a Bengal, touchdown ... right back in it.

We could watch every game this weekend, and come out questioning at least 50% of the decisions made by the coaches or players. Why does Josh continue to throw to double and triple covered Diggs?

Most people don't want to believe this is happening. I didn't. This is the equivalent of finding out there is no Santa Claus (I'm sorry, he doesn't exist). I used to look forward to Sunday, and football. I don't remember seeing this nonsense before Goodell came on board, at least not to this level. As for the coaches and players? They make a lot of money doing what they are told, not sure they'd want to jeopardize that. I hope they at least feel guilty, because they should.

There is an article by Rashard Mendenhall about this somewhere on the internet. He said he left the game because of the entertainment nonsense, or words to that effect. I'll have to go look for it.