The Denver Broncos pulled off a stunning upset over the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, winning 23-20 on a 53-yard field goal by Brandon McManus as time expired. The Broncos snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 4-5, while the Bills dropped to 5-5 and lost their grip on the AFC East lead.
Broncos’ defense shuts down Bill’s offense
The Bronco’s defense was the key to their victory, as they held the Bill’s offense to just 248 total yards and forced two turnovers. The Bills, who entered the game averaging 27.1 points per game, were limited to just two touchdowns and two field goals. The Broncos sacked Josh Allen four times and intercepted him once, while also recovering a fumble by Devin Singletary.
The Bronco’s defense also came up with a crucial stop in the final minutes, when they forced the Bills to punt from their 25-yard line with 1:51 left in the game. The Broncos then drove 44 yards in eight plays to set up McManus for the game-winning kick.
The Broncos’ offense overcomes injuries and mistakes
The Bronco’s offense was not spectacular, but it did enough to keep the game close and capitalize on the Bills’ mistakes. The Broncos were without starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who was ruled out with a concussion, and starting running back Melvin Gordon, who was inactive with a hip injury. Backup quarterback Drew Lock stepped in and completed 18 of 28 passes for 221 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also ran for 23 yards and a touchdown.
The Broncos also overcame two costly turnovers in the first half, when Lock threw an interception in the end zone and Jerry Jeudy fumbled at the Bills’ 14-yard line. The Broncos trailed 10-7 at halftime but scored 10 unanswered points in the third quarter to take a 17-10 lead. The Bills tied the game at 17-17 early in the fourth quarter, but the Broncos regained the lead with a 37-yard field goal by McManus with 6:12 left. The Bills responded with a 45-yard field goal by Tyler Bass with 3:18 left, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
Bills lose ground in AFC East race
The Bills suffered a major setback in their quest to win the AFC East for the second straight year, as they fell to 5-5 and lost their tiebreaker advantage over the New England Patriots, who improved to 6-4 with a win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Bills have now lost four of their last six games, and face a tough schedule ahead, with games against the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New England Patriots in the next four weeks.
The Bills will need to find a way to fix their offense, which has been inconsistent and inefficient in recent weeks. Allen, who was an MVP candidate last year, has thrown for just four touchdowns and four interceptions in his last four games. The Bills also have struggled to run the ball, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry this season. The Bills will need to rediscover their offensive identity and rhythm if they want to make a playoff run.
