Turnovers Doom Buffalo Bills In Bizarre Loss To Denver Broncos
The Buffalo Bills' greatest opponent at the moment seems to be themselves, and their mistakes cost them once again against the Denver Broncos on Monday night at Highmark Stadium.
Thanks to four turnovers and other self-inflicted errors, the Bills blew an easily winnable game in a 24-22 loss.
The Bills found themselves in a precarious situation late, as Broncos running back Javonte Williams scored on a three-yard pass from Russell Wilson to give Denver the lead back. However, a botched snap on the extra point gave the Bills a glimmer of hope, and at least for a moment, they capitalized on it.
Buffalo went to work quickly on their final drive, marching 81 yards in just over three minutes on exclusively running plays. The highlight came on a bizarre play by running back James Cook, who scooped up his own fumble for a 42-yard gain. A few plays later, Josh Allen ran it in from six yards out to give Buffalo its first lead of the game.
Denver wasn't done yet, though. A sack appeared to take the Broncos out of field goal range, but a 28-yard pass interference penalty on Bills cornerback Taron Johnson easily brought them back into it.
It wouldn't be a satisfying end to such a bizarre game without some more weirdness. Will Lutz' first kick from 41 yards out sailed wide, but the Bills had 12 men on the field. With a second chance, this one from 36 yards out, Lutz split the uprights to lift the Broncos to victory.
Allen looks on in disbelief after the Bills' game-losing penalty.
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This game was not only a comedy for those watching, but a comedy of errors for the Bills. The four turnovers, including two in the first seven minutes, torpedoed their chances of winning. Two picks and a fumble from Allen, plus another lost fumble from Cook, proved incredibly costly, as one would expect.
Allen had far from his best game, completing 15 of 26 passes for 177 yards, one passing touchdown and another one rushing, plus the aforementioned turnovers. Cook had 12 carries for 109 yards for a solid performance, although the fumble put a huge damper on his game. Gabe Davis and Dalton Kincaid both had over 50 yards receiving, with the latter catching a touchdown as well.
Meanwhile for Denver, Wilson completed 24 of 29 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers, although he was sacked four times. Williams had 78 yards on 21 carries, while Courtland Sutton had eight receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown.
The Bills now sit at 5-5, and they'll need to go on an impressive run to get to the playoffs. That quest begins next week when they host the New York Jets.
