The Denver Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime to advance to the AFC Championship for first time in a decade. In a matchup that was looking like an all-time classic, the game was ultimately decided by the officials, as the Broncos kicked a chip shot game-winning field goal in overtime thanks to two pass interference calls against the Bills. The loss leaves the Bills still awaiting their first Super Bowl title, but means Denver is just one home win away from reaching the big game for the first time since Super Bowl 50, where they ended up lifting the Lombardi Trophy.
The story of the game was turnovers. Buffalo gave the ball away five times, with Denver scoring 16 points off of those five takeaways, and the Bills scoring none off of their one takeaway on defense.
Despite the road team’s ill discipline with the football, their offense was efficient on the ground. Buffalo had 183 rushing yards against the second best rushing defense in the NFL. However, they gave the ball away at key moments. James Cook had his seventh fumble of the season with the Bills driving down the field when up 7-3. With Sean McDermott’s team eventually trailing 17-10 after giving up a long touchdown pass at the end of the half, Josh Allen then had an inexplicable fumble to gift the Broncos three points before both teams headed to the locker room. Despite the score being tied at 10-10 with 22 seconds left in the half, the Broncos led 20-10 at the break.
Buffalo’s defense has been criticised by many for their failure in postseason losses in the Sean McDermott/Josh Allen era, but they stepped up in the second half. After Allen was strip sacked on the second play of the 3rd quarter, Buffalo held Denver to a field goal. Trailing 23-10, Buffalo rallied back to lead 24-23, but only after both Bo Nix and Allen each threw an interception. With a field goal to extend the lead to 27-23 late in the 4th quarter, the Bills were in prime position given their defense had given up three points all half. However, Nix stepped up to the moment, and led a touchdown drive capped off by a wonderful 26-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Mims.
Allen’s entire career could be summarised by this one game as he put his three turnovers behind him to lead a game-tying field goal drive with less than one minute left, although he did miss a potential game winning touchdown to Dawson Knox. But, as the clock hit triple zeroes in the 4th quarter with the score at 30-30, the game was heading for overtime.
When the Bills elected to defer after winning the coin toss, and then forced a Denver punt, they put Allen in prime position to win the game, with just a field goal needed to take his team to a second straight AFC Championship.
However, after converting two 3rd downs, the reigning MVP of the league threw his second pick of the game on 3rd and 11. In a controversial moment which will be talked about for years to come, it seemed as if wide receiver Brandin Cooks looked to bring the ball down in what would be game-winning field goal range. However, Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian came away with the ball, as the officials ruled that Cooks was never down with complete control of the ball. With the play of his team’s season, McMillian forced Denver’s fifth takeaway of the game.
Following the pick, now Denver needed just a field goal to win the game, and they got into range thanks to the officials, who did a great job of keeping their flags in their pockets all game. However, in the biggest moment of the game, pass interference was called on Taron Johnson, costing the Bills 17 yards. Two plays later, Tre’Davious White was penalised 30 yards for pass interference. In a game that was looking like an all-time classic, the officials drove the ball into chip shot range for Denver to make for an anti-climatic end as Will Lutz’ 23-yard field goal gave the Broncos a 33-30 win.
In a great game where both teams made great plays on both sides of the ball, the officials interfered when they had managed to stay out of the matchup all night. With less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation, they correctly kept the flags away when Riley Moss had contact with Brandin Cooks in the endzone. A pass interference call against Moss would have likely won the Bills the game, but it seemed the officials wanted to let the players decide the game. However, they couldn’t help themselves, and instead of great play taking the Broncos to the AFC Championship, it was the interference of the referees that did so.
Credit where it’s due for Denver, though. Sean Payton’s play-calling in the first half was excellent, and while their defense struggled at times against the Bills’ scheme, they made big plays in huge spots. Along with that, Nix was excellent in the big moments, especially with his clutch touchdown pass to Mims.
For Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, it is another heartbreaking playoff loss. Turnovers cost them on a day where, without silly mistakes, they would have likely won the game. It will be another long offseason in upstate New York as the wait for their first Super Bowl title goes on. As great as Allen has been in the playoffs, this one is on him, and he knows it. Not only did he have four turnovers, but the most avoidable one of them all gifted Denver three points, in a game where Buffalo lost by three.
The Bills will be back, but for now, it’s Denver’s time in the AFC, as the Broncos get ready to host the AFC Championship.