The Buffalo Bills decided they wanted to put any doubt to rest in the pursuit of their first divisional crown in 25 years, dominating the Denver Broncos to the tune of 48-19 on Saturday in Week 15.
Once again, Bills quarterback Josh Allen was on display in full force in front of a national audience. Allen found his receivers at will all afternoon. When Denver’s coverage was good, Allen used his legs to scramble and find yards. Allen racked up 359 passing yards on a 28-of-40 passing day. He tossed two touchdowns and added two more on the ground to put together the complete, well-rounded effort we’ve become accustomed to.
Wideout Stefon Diggs had another impressive afternoon, catching 11 passes for 147 receiving yards. Cole Beasley was a strong part of the passing attack as well, adding eight catches for 112 receiving yards. Dawson Knox and Jake Kumerow joined the party, each catching a touchdown pass from Allen.
While the Bills dominated, their mistakes kept the Broncos in the game, at least through the first half. Buffalo scored on its first two drives, going up 14-0 with one minute remaining in the first quarter. A muffed punt return by Andre Roberts put the ball back into the hands of Denver, where the home team returned the favor with their first touchdown of the afternoon.
On Buffalo’s final offensive drive before halftime, they made it quite difficult on themselves, taking penalties on three consecutive plays and putting themselves in a 1st-and-goal from the 30-yard line. Still, they grinded out the drive and finished with a 22-yard-touchdown pass to Kumerow.
Outside of the fumble and the penalty issue, Buffalo was in complete control. The Bills scored quickly to start off the second half. Allen scrambled for a one-yard score, giving Buffalo a 28-13 lead. Then, the Bills defense made their statement, as Tre’Davious White strip-sacked Drew Lock which was recovered by Jerry Hughes. Hughes bobbed and weaved his way through the Broncos on his way to the end zone. This play ultimately stole any sort of hope from Denver, giving Buffalo a 35-13 lead.
Defensively, Buffalo shut down the Denver offense, particularly in the second half. The Broncos scored a garbage-time touchdown, a rushing score by Melvin Gordon. Even so, the Bills limited Denver to 115 passing yards. The Broncos wideouts only made five catches on the afternoon. As a whole, Buffalo recorded seven passes defended, five tackles for loss, and three sacks.
Everyone knew the stakes entering the game. By the middle of the third quarter, it was apparent that the Bills were in the midst of making history in locking up their first divisional crown since 1995.
The team has two games to work their way up the playoff standings left this year. As of now, they sit one-half game behind the Steelers for the second spot in the AFC standings. Saturdays’ game was the continuation the Bills dominance on the field.
If Buffalo can keep performing at a high level, many might be looking at additional historic moments for the franchise.
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