Broncos slip past sloppy Bills on last-second FG

[November 14, 2023]  Wil Lutz converted a 36-yard field goal as time expired Monday night, lifting the Denver Broncos to a 24-22 win over the mistake-plagued Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y.
 
Buffalo (5-5) took a 22-21 lead with 1:55 left in the game on Josh Allen's 6-yard touchdown run, but Russell Wilson subsequently led a 57-yard drive that was aided, fittingly, by two huge errors from the Bills.   

Nov 13, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) intercepts a pass with cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian (29) reacting during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

On third-and-10 from the Buffalo 45, Wilson's deep throw for Jerry Jeudy fell incomplete, but Taron Johnson was flagged for contacting Jeudy before the ball got there. The 28-yard mark-off moved the ball to the 17.

After Wilson took knees to position the ball on the right hashmark for Lutz, the kicker pushed a 41-yard attempt wide right with four seconds left. However, the Bills were penalized for having 12 men on the field. Lutz's next kick sailed right down the middle to up Denver's record to 4-5.

Wilson completed 24 of 29 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns, while Allen was 15 of 26 for 177 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Buffalo committed four turnovers and 63 yards worth of penalties as it fell 1 1/2 games behind the idle Miami Dolphins in the AFC East.

The game's first play set the tone for the game. Buffalo's James Cook caught a short pass in the left flat but fumbled. Ja'Quan McMillian recovered, and Denver scored four plays later on the first of Lutz's four field goals, a 40-yarder.

Courtland Sutton gave the Broncos a 9-0 lead in the second quarter with a spectacular catch of Wilson's pass in the corner of the end zone, toe-dragging both feet inbounds as he fell out of bounds with the reception.

The Bills finally quit making mistakes long enough to get within 9-8 on Allen's 22-yard connection to Dalton Kincaid and a two-point conversion pass to Gabe Davis.

Lutz connected for 49- and 40-yard field goals in the final minute of the half -- the second one after Fabian Moreau intercepted Allen -- to give Denver a 15-8 advantage at the break.

--Field Level Media

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