In a game that could be best be described as whacky, the Buffalo Bills committed an unbelievable penalty that cost them the game and potentially a playoff spot down the road.
The Bills appeared to win the game when Wil Lutz missed a field goal with seconds left. But the Bills had 12 men on the field, which resulted in Lutz hitting his do-ever and lifting the Denver Broncos to a 24-22 win.
Monday's night game was a wild one that saw the Broncos botch two point-after attempts before Lutz hit the game-winner as time expired. While the penalty was the nail in the coffin, the Bills were also done in by four turnovers that included a pair of Josh Allen interceptions.
Conversely, the Broncos received a strong performance from Russell Wilson, who set up Lutz's game-winning kick when he threw a desperation heave to Jerry Jeudy that drew a pass interference call against Taron Johnson. Wilson went 24 of 29 on the night that included touchdown passes to Courtland Sutton and Javonte Williams.
Here's a closer look at the craziness that ensued in Buffalo.
Denver did just enough to win its third straight game. Denver's first and last points of the first half came off of turnovers that proved to be critical to the final outcome. The first turnover was Ja'Quan McMillian forcing a James Cook fumble on the first play of scrimmage. Fabian Moreau's pick of Allen just before halftime set up Lutz's second field goal to give Denver a 15-8 lead at intermission.
The Broncos' defense then recorded a turnover on downs and a fumble of Allen, who was trying to execute a handoff with Cook. It was another impressive game for a Denver defense that entered the game as the 32nd-ranked scoring unit.
Denver's defense continuously gave its offense exceptional field position. And while the offense didn't always take advantage of it, Wilson and Co. carried their weight while scoring points on their final two drives.
With the score tied, Wilson led a 12-play, 54-yard scoring drive that was punctuated by his three-yard touchdown pass to Williams, who had 110 total yards on the night. After Buffalo took its first lead moments later, the Broncos drove 57 yards on 10 plays to win the game.
Mistakes continue to plague the Bills, who are now 5-5 and in 10th place in the AFC standings. Allen had three turnovers Monday night; his 11 interceptions and 13 total turnovers this season are both NFL highs.
Turnovers aside, Allen struggled to find his rhythm. He threw for just 177 yards and completed just three passes to Stefon Diggs. Buffalo did have success on the ground, led by Cook's 109 yards that included a whacky 42-yard run that saw him recover his own fumble and run for 29 more yards on Buffalo's go-ahead drive late in the game. Latavius Murray contributed to the cause with 68 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Defensively, the Bills struggled to contain Wilson, who at times looked like he did when he was in his prime. But despite all of their issues, the Bills would have won the game if not for their special teams gaffe on the final play.
As alluded to earlier, the game appeared to be a wrap when Lutz's 41-yard attempt went wide right with four seconds left. But the penalty for too many men on the field gave Lutz a second chance, which he took full advantage of.
Another notable turning point in the game occurred with the score tied and the Broncos facing a third-and-10 on their own 46 with 11:42 left. On the play, Wilson found Jerry Jeudy for a 19-yard gain to keep the drive alive. Wilson later flipped the ball to Samaje Perine or another big third-down conversion before connecting with Williams for the go-ahead score.
This is a no-brainer. The game's best play was Sutton's incredible touchdown catch in the first half that saw him keep both feet in bounds as he was falling to the ground.
"Our defense has been unbelievable. Everybody was talking stuff about them. I know how good they are. I play them every day and how great they are." -- Wilson during his postgame interview with ESPN
The Bills will host the New York Jets, who fell to the Raiders this past Sunday to fall to 4-5 on the season. The Broncos will host the red-hot Vikings, who have won five straight games. Minnesota's last two wins have come with recently-acquired Josh Dobbs under center.
Buffalo is 5-5 and has its back against the wall in the playoff race. The Bills have one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league: Jets, at Eagles, BYE, at Chiefs, Cowboys, at Chargers, Patriots, at Dolphins.
Denver is now 4-5. Still pretty far outside the playoff race but technically in it. The Broncos play the Vikings on SNF next week.
Lutz's second attempt is good and the Broncos win. What a preposterous game of football.
Oh my god the Bills had 12 men on the field. You cannot make this up.
Oh my god he missed.
Wil Lutz is gonna have an opportunity to kick for the win here. Let's see if the Broncos can A. get the kick off and B. make it.
Under-thrown deep ball is one of the best plays in football. Defensive pass interference so easy to draw.
...and there's a sack. Wow.
It looks like the Broncos will at least be able to kick a field goal here barring a sack. But the kicking game has been an adventure for them tonight and it would be a long kick from here.
Damar Hamlin into the game. First defensive snap of the year. Wow.
And the Bills now have a chance to take their first lead of the game after the Allen RPO scramble for a touchdown. Amazing.
Hahahahha oh my god James Cook. Incredible stuff. ANOTHER fumble and it somehow bounces right back into his arms on the run and he catches it for a huge gain. Can't make this up.
The Broncos have come up empty on two extra points now. Surely that won't come back to haunt them.
WIDE open Javonte Williams in the flat gives the Broncos the lead. Good play call right there. Bills were clearly expecting another run.
Best run of the night for Javonte right there. Finally had a bit of a crease and hit the hole with speed and power for a chunk gain.
That was very close to being another catch-fumble play. Or maybe a catch and he's down?
The Broncos threw downfield and got a first down?!? I didn't know that was allowed.
It's like both of these teams are asking the other if they want to win the game and having the other team answer, "No, not really."
The Broncos are doing all they can to let the Bills stay in this game despite the turnovers.
...and then Allen drops the ball as he is trying to hand off to James Cook. The Bills, man.
Hahahaha there's Josh Allen again. Outrageous laser throw on the move to his left, back across his body.
Russell Wilson doesn't trust his protection right now. He's taking off to scramble as soon as he hits the top of his drop.
Marvin Mims hasn't gotten many (or nearly enough) opportunities as a receiver this year, but he has been impactful in the return game. He was averaging 34 yards per kick return and 20.3 per punt return coming into this game.
Murray into the end zone from a few yards out and this game is about to be tied. As we said earlier, the Broncos regret not building a bigger lead when the Bills were turning it over so much early on.
THAT is the type of stuff we're used to seeing Josh Allen do. Under heavy pressure and throws a rope off his back foot over the top of several defenders for a big gain. Bills in business in the red zone now.
