Lutz Is Good On Second Chance With 36-Yard Field Goal In Broncos’ 24-22 Win Over Bills

ORCHARD PARK, New York (AP) – Wil Lutz of the Denver Broncos made good on his do-over field goal try, much like Denver has done in bouncing back from one of its most humiliating defeats in team history.

Lutz converted on a 36-yard field goal attempt as time expired to secure a 24-22 win over the sloppy, turnover-prone Bills on Monday night after missing wide right from 41 yards due to Buffalo being called for too many players.

Since a 70-20 setback at Miami, the Broncos (4-5) have won three consecutive and four of six. And they came out of their bye week riding the high of a 24-9 victory against Kansas City, which snapped a 16-game losing streak against their AFC West opponent.

“We have faith in one another.” “We believe in what we can accomplish,” quarterback Russell Wilson said. “To beat the Chiefs, to beat these guys, it sets a standard of who we should be, who we can be, and who we are going to be.”

The Bills (5-5) are still out of the playoff race, losing four of their last six games. Instead of defending their AFC East crown for the fourth straight season, the Bills are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

“Yeah, I’m still optimistic. However, it is not a secret. The timer is ticking. “We’ve got to get some urgency now,” quarterback Josh Allen said after throwing two interceptions and fumbling.

Lutz Is Good On Second Chance With 36-Yard Field Goal In Broncos’ 24-22 Win Over Bills

The clock may be ticking on offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey’s tenure after the Bills failed to score 26 points or more for the sixth consecutive game. It’s the worst stretch for Buffalo since Allen’s debut season 2018.

“I’m certain. When asked about Dorsey, coach Sean McDermott responded, “I believe we can be better simultaneously.”

And he had few answers for what it takes to turn around a club whose offense is sputtering, but the defense has held up well despite missing five starters due to injury.

“I think I need a little bit of time here after the game to assess that,” McDermott remarked. “Obviously I’m not real happy right now, so I’ll evaluate that in the next 24 hours here and see where that takes us.”

McDermott called the too many men penalty “inexcusable,” citing that the squad practices it at least twice weekly.

Lutz was relieved.

“Extremely grateful that we get another opportunity, and you don’t get that opportunity every day,” he remarked. So, big win. I’m just glad I got another kick out of it.”

Lutz overcame his difficulties in a game in which he missed an extra point by hitting the left upright and could not get another extra-point tryoff because holder Riley Dixon bobbled the snap.

Javonte Williams scored on a 3-yard run, while Lutz hit four field goals.

After Allen scampered for a 6-yard touchdown with 1:55 remaining, Wilson replied by leading a 10-play, 57-yard drive that set up Lutz’s field goal for his 42nd career game-winning drive, the most among quarterbacks since 2012.

Facing an all-out blitz, Wilson heaved a long over-the-middle throw intended for Jerry Jeudy, who was definitely interfered with by defensive back Taron Johnson on third down and 10 from Buffalo’s 45.

Johnson was called for pass interference, giving Denver the ball at the Buffalo 17-yard line.

After allowing 181 points in their first four games, the Broncos have tightened up to allow 67 points in their last four. The Broncos have had 16 takeaways in their last five games.

Wilson completed 24 of 29 passes for 193 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown throw to Courtland Sutton. What seemed to be Wilson throwing the ball out of bounds instead landed in Sutton’s hands, allowing the receiver to get both feet in bounds. The play was first judged an incompletion, but it was reversed after a replay review.

Two weeks ago, the Broncos forced five turnovers against the Chiefs.

“Winning feels so good, man.” “I’m sitting here thinking about the adversity that we faced and how everybody kind of answered the bell there,” Broncos safety Justin Simmons said of the team’s up-then-down season. “You’re always going to face adversity, it’s just a matter of how you respond.”

Allen has turned the ball over in all but two games and has thrown an interception in six straight games, his longest streak of the season. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 177 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid.

On Buffalo’s opening play from scrimmage, Denver’s Ja’Quan McMillan ripped the ball out of the hands of running back James Cook, forcing a fumble. Allen then ended Buffalo’s second drive by having his hard pass over the middle bounce off the hands of receiver Gabe Davis, bouncing directly to Simmons for his 30th career interception.

Allen’s second interception came in the last minute of the first half, on the first play from scrimmage following Lutz’s 49-yard field goal that put Denver ahead 12-8.

Allen fluttered a throw along the left sideline, which Fabian Moreau easily intercepted, leading to Lutz’s 40-yard field goal to end the half.

SOURCE – (AP)