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How it Happened: Broncos survive late Bills…

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How it Happened: Broncos survive late Bills push, win third straight on last-second field goal

Next up: Denver hosts Minnesota at 6:20 p.m. Sunday

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during warmups before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium Nov. 13, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during warmups before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium Nov. 13, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Joe Nguyen of The Denver PostParker Gabriel - Staff portraits in The Denver Post studio on October 6, 2022. (Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post)DENVER, CO - APRIL 19: Denver Post sports reporter Ryan McFadden before the first quarter between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)Mark Kiszla - Staff portraits at ...DENVER, CO - AUGUST 1: Matt Schubert - Staff portraits at the Denver Post studio. (Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post)
By | jnguyen@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, | pgabriel@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, | rmcfadden@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, | mkiszla@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and | mschubert@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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Fresh off their bye week, the Broncos (3-5) are looking to continue their two-game winning streak. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Live updates

Final | Broncos 24, Bills 22

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — When the Broncos needed it most, Russell Wilson delivered.

In prime time.

With a chance at a potential run toward playoff contention teetering.

The football world watching.

Wilson engineered a fourth-quarter touchdown drive to take the lead and then a last-minute dash into field goal range to help propel the Broncos past Buffalo, 24-22, on Monday night, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.

More Broncos coverage

Fourth-quarter updates

Game (9:28 p.m.): What a bizarre finish. Wil Lutz is almost the goat, but the Bills do him one better with 12 men on the field for his game-ending missed field goal. Lutz nails the second try, and now the Broncos have won three straight … somehow. — Matt Schubert

This ending (9:22 p.m.): The Bills did consecutive all-out blitzes. They sacked Russell Wilson the first time. The second? A pass-interference call on Buffalo. Denver’s at the Buffalo 17-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

Big gain (9:17 p.m.): ANOTHER shovel pass to Samaje Perine and the Broncos are near midfield. There’s 1:39 to go and the Broncos just need a field goal — however tenuous that might seem right now. — Matt Schubert

Last chance (9:16 p.m.): Welp, it’s now or never for Russ and the Broncos. — Matt Schubert

Touchdown, Bills (9:13 p.m.): After some huge runs from James Cook, Josh Allen takes it into the end zone on a 6-yard run. Bills 22, Broncos 21 with 1:55 to go. — Joe Nguyen

Touchdown, Broncos (9:02 p.m.): Russell Wilson connected with Javonte Williams on a quick 3-yard touchdown pass. A bobbled catch on the extra point snap leaves a point. Broncos 21, Bills 15 with 5:06 to go. — Joe Nguyen

Finally, the Broncos cash in. What a gutty drive. Multiple third-down conversions, some Russell Wilson magic and Javonte Williams running angry. And then …. another botched extra point. The Broncos left the door open. Can the defense close it? — Matt Schubert

Broncos offense threatening (9:01 p.m.): After a first down catch by Courtland Sutton (that didn’t end up being another fumble), Javonte Williams had back-to back runs to get it to the Buffalo 3-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

Another chance for the offense (8:52 p.m.): The Broncos get the ball near midfield yet again thanks to another great return from Marvin Mims Jr. Can they actually do something with it this time? — Matt Schubert

Third-quarter analysis — Broncos 15, Bills 15

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Buckle up. It’s just whether a playoff run is realistic or not hanging in the balance for the Broncos.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: Are either of these teams interested in winning this game? Hard to tell through three quarters.

Third-quarter updates

Another turnover (8:39 p.m.): And then the Denver defense gets another takeaway. This one a fumble by Josh Allen that was recovered by Alex Singleton. The Broncos’ offense will start on the Bills’ 48-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

Huge play (8:38 p.m.): Josh Allen connected with Gabe Davis for a 37-yard pass. — Joe Nguyen

Pair of sacks (8:34 p.m.): Russell Wilson was looking to throw on second and third downs, but Buffalo registered a pair of sacks. A Riley Dixon punt has the Bills starting on their own 11-yard line with 2:30 to go in the third quarter. — Joe Nguyen

Mims’ return (8:30 p.m.): The Broncos’ offense is getting good field position to start again after Marvin Mims Jr.’s 31-yard kickoff return to the 39-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

Touchdown, Bills (8:26 p.m.): Latavius Murray’s 3-yard run caps off Buffalo’s seven-play, 54-yard drive off Courtland Sutton’s fumble. Broncos 15, Bills 15. New ball game with 6:42 to go in the third quarter. — Joe Nguyen

The Bills have been functional for a total of two drives, and this is now a tie game.

The Bills kept presenting their chin to the Broncos to deliver a haymaker, and they just kept throwing jabs. This is what happens as a result. — Matt Schubert

Buffalo threatening (8:24 p.m.): Josh Allen connects with Khalil Shakir for a 24-yard gain. Buffalo in the red zone. — Joe Nguyen

Broncos fumble (8:19 p.m.): On third-and-6, Russell Wilson threw a short pass to Courtland Sutton, who fumbled the ball as he was turning to reach the first-down marker. — Joe Nguyen

However many more stops you think the Broncos defense needs to win this game tonight, it’s probably one more than that. — Parker Gabriel

Penalties galore (8:07 p.m.): Denver’s opening drive on the half was laced with penalties. A hold, a false start and then on the punt, another hold. — Joe Nguyen

Locke update (8:03 p.m.): P.J. Locke (ankle) is questionable to return. — Parker Gabriel 

Halftime analysis — Broncos 15, Bills 8

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Broncos forced three turnovers, which is a recipe for winning. Only quibble, they turned into just six points after Ja’Quan McMillian’s fumble recovery and Fabian Moreau’s INT set Denver up inside Buffalo’s 30-yard line twice.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer:  Broncos held Josh Allen and company to eight points and forced three turnovers. Yeah, this unit is good again.

Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Broncos take 15-8 lead over Bills to intermission for one primary and stunning reason. Russell Wilson has been better quarterback than Josh Allen, and it it hasn’t been particularly close.

Second-quarter updates

Great execution (7:49 p.m.): A quick pass by Russell Wilson to Jerry Jeudy gets the ball in the center of the hash marks, and Wil Lutz nails a 40-yard field goal with the clock winding down to zero. Broncos 15, Bills 8 at the half.

Another pick (7:44 p.m.): Josh Allen gets picked off again, this time by Fabian Moreau. Denver gets one more shot before the half. — Joe Nguyen

Three more (7:41 p.m.): Wil Lutz with the 49-yard field goal to give the Broncos a 12-8 lead with 45 seconds to go. — Joe Nguyen

Wil Lutz figured out the wind going that direction and snuck a 49-yarder over the upright to put the Broncos up 12-8 with :45 left in the first half. — Parker Gabriel

Will Lutz gets a measure of redemption with that 49-yarder. But, boy, was that close. — Matt Schubert

Rare chance (7:36 p.m.): Another wild stat from Next Gen Stats: That service had the TD to Sutton graded as, “a completion probability of 3.2%, the most improbable completion of the Next Gen Stats era.” — Parker Gabriel

Vintage Russ (7:35 p.m.): We are seeing vintage Russ in the first half. He is 9-for-11 for 105 yards and a touchdown despite getting pressured on 53.8% of his dropbacks according to Next Gen Stats. — Ryan McFadden

Locke update (7:33 p.m.): P.J. Locke tried to jog and get loose on the sideline but didn’t look comfortable. Heading to the locker room now with trainers at the 2-minute warning. — Parker Gabriel

Russ cookin’ (7:32 p.m.): Russell Wilson’s been harassed quite a bit tonight, but in between that he’s dealing. — Parker Gabriel

P.J. Locke injury (7:28 p.m.): Trainers are working on P.J. Locke’s left ankle area on the sideline after he hobbled off the field in the middle of that drive. Looks like they’re taping it up. — Parker Gabriel

Touchdown, Bills (7:27 p.m.): Eight plays, 81 yards in 3:41 capped off by a 22-yard pass from Josh Allen to Dalton Kincaid. An offsides penalty puts the ball on the 1-yard line for Buffalo’s extra-point attempt. They convert it. Broncos 9, Bills 8 with 3:36 to go. — Joe Nguyen

Starting to feel like the Broncos missed their chance to land a haymaker, and now they are paying for it. — Matt Schubert

James Cook returns (7:24 p.m.): Making his first appearance since getting the ball stolen out of his hands on the Bills’ first play, James Cook has been given the ball four straight times for 26 yards. — Joe Nguyen

Touchdown, Broncos (7:18 p.m.): And it’s a completion: An 8-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton. Extra point pinged off the uprights. Broncos 9, Bills 0 with 7:23 to go. — Joe Nguyen

Is it? (7:15 p.m.): Russell Wilson had immense pressure from Buffalo’s defense and still connected with Courtland Sutton in the end zone. The play was ruled incomplete, but it sure looked good with his toe dragging. — Joe Nguyen

Going for it (7:14 p.m.): It’s fourth down. Denver’s going for it. — Joe Nguyen

Big gain (7:11 p.m.): Courtland Sutton got the first down on a quick slant for 6 yards. Then Dorian Williams delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit that places Denver at the Bills’ 26-yard line. The Broncos got 11 yards on the next play on a pass from Russell Wilson to Jerry Jeudy. — Joe Nguyen

Another punt (7:05 p.m.): Denver’s defense stays strong, forcing a punt. Marvin Mims Jr. returns it to the Denver 48 on a 17-yard return. — Joe Nguyen

Run, Russell, run (6:56 p.m.): Denver continues its reliance on the run game. Russell Wilson takes off for a 10-yard gain. — Joe Nguyen

First-quarter analysis — Broncos 3, Bills 0

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Broncos are doing a splendid job of mucking this game up early. Feels like they need another score, though, to really be in control of it despite the two early forced turnovers.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: The way the first quarter went, it’s hard to imagine either team scoring more than 20 points tonight. Denver’s defense continues to ball out. The Broncos had two turnovers in the opening quarter and 13 since Week 4.

Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: So if the Broncos finish with a 12-5 record, where will their first playoff game be played? I’m hoping for Miami. Good weather in January. And good chance to avenge that 70-burger loss.

First-quarter updates

Stout (6:46 p.m.): Buffalo’s first three drives have resulted in two takeaways and a punt that was nearly blocked. Denver’s defense is rolling. As for the offense… — Joe Nguyen

Really says a lot about Randy Gregory how much better the Broncos edge rushers have been since he left town. — Matt Schubert

Can’t capitalize (6:40 p.m.): Two turnovers by the defense result in just three points by Denver’s offense. The Broncos had to punt on their second drive. — Joe Nguyen

Just like wide receiver screens, Denver might have to throw away those end around plays. — Ryan McFadden

Simmons with the pick (6:31 p.m.): Josh Allen threw a helluva fastball that deflected off of his receiver into the hands of, who else, Justin Simmons. Denver will start on its own 12-yard line with 8:30 to go in the first.

It’s Simmons’ third interception of the year and 30th of his career in Denver. That moves him into a tie for seventh all time with Dennis Smith.  — Joe Nguyen

Justin Simmons with a big time interception. Denver has forced 13 turnovers since Week 4. — Ryan McFadden

Turnaround (6:28 p.m.): We’re an Alex Singleton foot drag away from the Bills turning the ball over on consecutive offensive snaps. Instead, the Bills get a first down and are now at midfield. — Matt Schubert

Josh Allen’s 18-yard completion to Gabe Davis has Buffalo’s offense rolling. Damarri Mathis, who has struggled this season, was in coverage. — Ryan McFadden

Nearly another turnover (6:25 p.m.): Alex Singleton snagged a Josh Allen pass, but he only had one foot in. The Bills were also penalized for a holding call. Rough start for Buffalo’s offense. — Joe Nguyen

On the board first (6:21 p.m.): Wil Lutz with the 40-yard field goal. Broncos 3, Bills 0 with 12:39 to go.

Denver leaning on its run game early. Three carries for 11 yards on that first drive. — Joe Nguyen

False start (6:20 p.m.): Mike McGlinchey with a false start on third-and-7. Now third-and-12 for Denver. — Joe Nguyen

Mike McFlinchey costs the Broncos a shot at third-and-manageable. An opportunity to grab this game by the throat is squandered. — Matt Schubert

Takeaway (6:18 p.m.): We’re off and running and Ja’Quan McMillian, one of the surprise stories of the season, forced and recovered a fumble on Buffalo’s first offensive snap of the night. Wow. — Parker Gabriel

OK, then. Ja’Quan McMillian, impact player. — Matt Schubert

Coin toss (6:15 p.m.): Big hug between Von Miller and Courtland Sutton at midfield before the coin toss. Buffalo wins the toss and wants the ball. — Parker Gabriel

Pre-game updates

Opening song (6:15 p.m.): That Monday Night Football song? A cover of Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight” by Chris Stapleton, Snoop Dogg and Cindy Blackman Santana. — Joe Nguyen

Inactives (5:30 p.m.): On the inactives list for the Broncos tonight include tight end Nate Adkins, nose tackle Keondre Coburn, center Alex Forsyth, defensive lineman Elijah Garcia, outside linebacker Thomas Incoom, inside linebacker Ben Niemann and safety JL Skinner. — Joe Nguyen

Good evening from Orchard Park, New York (3:25 p.m.): This will shock all of you, but the wind is blowin’ something fierce in Western New York. Straight off of Lake Erie. The flags at the top of Highmark Stadium and on the goal posts are whipping around. Certainly has a chance to impact the field conditions tonight as the Broncos return from their bye week looking to run a win streak to three games. The Bills, now 5-4, also really need a win. Should be a fun one on a chilly — but at least not frigid — night here. — Parker Gabriel

Scouting report (3:25 p.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Bills in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.

Game predictions

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Bills 27, Broncos 20

Denver’s got the feel-goods coming off a bye week, and Buffalo’s been erratic. Even still, a win in prime time on the road against a team that’s more talented and has reached the point where it can’t do too much more messing around without threatening its playoff status is a tall order. Too tall, in this case. Von Miller & Co. get the job done.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 23, Bills 20

Let’s get wild. The Broncos are healthy and playing their best football. Yeah, Buffalo is hungry, but so is Denver. The Broncos will shock the world and pull off an upset on the road in prime time.

Sean Keeler, columnist: Bills 27, Broncos 18

The Bills are mortal away from Orchard Park, but at home? In front of the Mafia? Under the lights? They’re basically Kansas City North. No NFL squad sported a better home passer rating (117.5) than Buffalo heading into the weekend. Only the Chiefs have as many passing first downs at home (72) and only the Dolphins have as many home passing TDs (13). You can run on the Bills, absolutely. And you should. But Josh Allen probably gets the last word in. Again.

Mark Kiszla, columnist: Bills 20, Broncos 16

You will be able to feel the desperation on a Monday night in upstate New York, where everyone is already grumpy because the darkness of winter has arrived and the snow that doesn’t melt until spring looms just around the corner. Did the Bills miss their Super Bowl window? Was that victory against Kansas City more than a temporary reprieve in another lost Broncos season? Desperation turns to panic for the loser of this game.

Broncos-Bills NFL Week 10: Must-reads

Broncos need a long winning streak or two in quest to rejoin playoff picture, but Bills represent tough task: “There’s no better script to get a season turned around”

There’s never a bad time for a bye week in the NFL, especially in the middle of the season.

But if ever a team might have wanted to play through, it’d be the Broncos. They finally put back-to-back wins on the board late last month. Their active roster is almost entirely healthy. They finally vanquished Kansas City. They finally, maybe, figured out their recipe for winning.

Then they went 15 days between games.

So, what will Denver look like when it takes the field Monday night in Western New York? Like a group that flashed and reverts to early-season form? Or like a team on an upward trajectory? Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.

Despite injuries to Bills defense, Broncos will have their hands full against Buffalo rush: “These guys are really good”

The Bills defense in 2023 has faced a torrent of injuries.

Von Miller missed the beginning of the season. Defensive lineman DaQuan Jones is on injured reserve currently. Inside linebacker Matt Milano was lost for the year. So, too, was top cornerback Tre’Davious White.

Through all of that, though, Buffalo’s defense has retained the ability to impact opposing quarterbacks.

The Bills enter Monday night’s game against Denver sixth in the NFL in sack rate (8.3%) and seventh in total pressure rate (26.7%), and they’ve done it thanks to a seemingly endless supply of rushers, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.

Broncos OLB Baron Browning’s sack celebrations reflect energy he brings to the field: “You can tell he’s having fun”

It’s rare to sack Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. That’s why Baron Browning had to do his dance.

As Mahomes attempted to escape pressure on third-and-long in the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ 24-9 win in Week 8, he ran into his offensive lineman, and Browning came from behind to record his second sack.

The third-year outside linebacker then dashed near the goal line and went crazy. He moved side-to-side before falling to the ground and started pumping like Hingle McCringleberry from the “Key and Peele” skit, Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.

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