Broncos can’t close out division, fall
to Bills 30-23
The battered and bumbling Denver Broncos couldn’t render the San
Diego Chargers irrelevant when they had the chance, and now they’ll have to beat
them to get to the playoffs.
The Broncos blew an early 13-0 lead and lost to the Buffalo Bills 30-23 Sunday
in the second-coldest game in Denver’s history, setting up an all-or-nothing
game against the Chargers next week for the division title and a playoff berth.
The Broncos (8-7) led the Chargers (7-8) by three games with three to go, but
now face the possibility of having led the AFC’s woeful West by themselves from
opening weekend through Christmas with nothing to show for it.
“Unfortunately we’re not going to be able to go up there and take it easy,”
receiver Brandon Marshall said. “We’re going to have to go up there in their
back yard and prove to them that we’re better than them. They’re a good team,
they’re playing better now, and they’ve got all the momentum.”...
Video: The Broncos blew an
early 13-0 lead and lost to the Bills 30-23, setting up an all-or-nothing game
against the Chargers for the division title. Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots recap
all the action from Invesco Field
Jay Cutler rushed to the left for 2 yard gain (Matt
Prater made PAT)
0 - 7
4:57
DEN
FG
Matt Prater kicked a 23-yard field goal
0 - 10
2nd Quarter
13:12
DEN
FG
Matt Prater kicked a 30-yard field goal
0 - 13
7:43
BUF
FG
Rian Lindell kicked a 37-yard field goal
3 - 13
0:15
BUF
TD
Marshawn Lynch rushed to the left for 2 yard gain (Rian
Lindell made PAT)
10 - 13
3rd Quarter
9:52
BUF
FG
Rian Lindell kicked a 49-yard field goal
13 - 13
4:58
BUF
FG
Rian Lindell kicked a 28-yard field goal
16 - 13
0:38
DEN
TD
Jay Cutler rushed to the left for 6 yard gain (Matt
Prater made PAT)
16 - 20
4th Quarter
12:47
BUF
TD
Trent Edwards passed to Steve Johnson to the left for 3
yard gain (Rian Lindell made PAT)
23 - 20
11:03
DEN
FG
Matt Prater kicked a 43-yard field goal
23 - 23
8:54
BUF
TD
Fred Jackson rushed to the right for 8 yard gain (Rian
Lindell made PAT)
30 - 23
Team Statistics
BUF
DEN
First Downs
19
27
Passing
10
17
Rushing
7
9
Penalty
2
1
Third Down Efficiency
3-9
7-14
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-0
0-1
TOTAL NET YARDS
275
532
Total Plays
52
73
Average Gain Per Play
5.3
7.3
NET YARDS RUSHING
87
181
Rushes
26
27
Average Per Rush
3.3
6.7
NET YARDS PASSING
188
351
Completions-Attempts
17-25
25-45
Yards Per Pass Play
7.2
7.6
Times Sacked
1
1
Yards Lost to Sacks
5
8
Had Intercepted
0
1
PUNTS
3
0
Average Punt
52.7
0.0
PENALTIES
4
6
Penalty Yards
26
62
FUMBLES
1
1
Fumbles Lost
0
1
TIME OF POSSESSION
26:49
33:11
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
Jay Cutler and Brandon
Marshall have received their due
for keeping the Denver Broncos
in playoff contention, earning
spots in the Pro Bowl. They
certainly don't have any leeway
to let up now. The Broncos have
yet another chance to clinch the
AFC West when they face the
struggling Buffalo Bills on
Sunday. Denver (8-6) can wrap up
the division with a win over
Buffalo (6-8), or if San Diego
loses to Tampa Bay. If the
Broncos lose and the Chargers
win, those teams will meet in
San Diego for the AFC West
championship in the
regular-season finale...Preview
Prediction: By
game time Sunday, the Broncos will know what this game means. If the Chargers
top the Bucs, Denver will need this one to avoid a showdown for the division
next week in San Diego. The Bills haven't won in Denver since 1967. The Bills
got really bad before picking it back up too late, and though it would make next
week more fun, don't count on it happening this week either. Broncos 23 - Bills 20
Video Preview: The Broncos
have yet another chance to clinch the AFC West when they face the struggling
Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Join Jason Horowitz and Charley Casserly for a
breakdown of this game
BillsNews 'n Notes
Bills Report
--In Denver, theBillsface
aBroncosteam
that can clinch their 11th AFC West title and 18th playoff berth in team history
with a win.... Billsat the point of known
returnsRocky
Mountain News
16.0
11.2