Bills Central

7 costly reasons Bills were doomed in excruciating playoff loss to Broncos

Josh Allen committed four turnovers and the Bills' defense was flagged twice overtime overtime of their playoff loss to the Broncos.
Richie Whitt|
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Bills-Broncos | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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After an excruciating night in Denver filled with both too many Buffalo Bills' mistakes and too many officials' flags, Josh Allen walked off the field at Mile High still having never won an overtime game. At this point, Bills Mafia likely feels like they'll never again make it to a Super Bowl.

Harpooned by an uncharacteristic five turnovers - including four by their star quarterback - the Bills' season ended with a heart-breaking 33-30 loss to the Broncos in a classic Divisional Round playoff game. Allen lost two fumbles and threw two interceptions, the last one a controvesial ruling by officials that set up a series of devastating events.

5 turnovers. 2 controversial pass interference penalties = 7 ugly reasons for another crush playoff loss.

MORE: Sean McDermott's questionable strategy leads to Bills' costly gaffe vs. Broncos

Despite the numerous turnovers that included a fumble by NFL leading rusher James Cook, the Bills had a chance to win in overtime. Cue the craziness. And the calamity.

Needing only a field goal to win, the Bills converted two first downs to move to their own 37-yard line. Then receiver Mecole Hardman dropped a pass in Broncos' territory. Then came the play of the game - and the year - for Allen and the Bills.

On 3rd-and-11, Allen threw a deep pass to receiver Brandin Cooks. He jumped in the air and seemingly caught the ball at Denver's 20-yard line. Replays seemed to show Cooks with possession of the ball and a knee on the ground. But when he rolled over, Broncos' cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian came away with the ball.

All replays are called by the booth in overtime, and officials ruled that McMilliam somehow gained possession before Cooks went to the ground. Instead of Buffalo in field-goal position, Denver took possession.

Then came the interference penalties, one on Taron Johnson (17 yards) and one on Tre'Davious White (30 yards) that set up Denver's game-winning 24-yard field goal.

Allen, who overthrew a wide-open Dawson Knox for what would have been a game-winning touchdown at the end of regulation, falls to 0-7 all-time in overtime including 0-3 in the playoffs.

MORE: Keon Coleman TD helps Bills claw back despite 4 turnovers vs. Broncos

Bottom line — the Bills lost a playoff game in which they scored 30 points, rolled up 449 yards of offense and never had to punt.

This one is gonna sting for a long time.

Josh Allen
Josh Allen | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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