Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills lost to the Denver Broncos in heartbreaking fashion during the latest playoff run… which is tradition at this point. When a team loses by an overtime field goal, it’s natural to point out which moment caused the loss. After all, a single play could literally be the difference. What’s my point here? Well let’s rub some salt in our collective wounds and try to catalog every single play that could have changed the outcome.
Let’s have some rules for our “fun.” First, I’ll stick to plays that I think warrant a possible three-point swing, otherwise it’ll just be a list of every play in the game. Second, let’s leave the officiating out of this. The questionable flags and “interception” have been debated enough already.
I’ll try to stick to execution and similar blunders that sunk the Bills. Did I miss any? Did I add too many? Come symbolically scream at me in the comments (within site guidelines of course).
9:07 —- Denver 4th & 1: I debated on including this one, as it’s low odds of stopping a team but Buffalo had just done it on 3rd & 1 and this looks like they were napping, maybe assuming that the Broncos weren’t really going for it.
8:29 —- Denver 1st & 10: I know I said I’d avoid officiating, but defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi’s offside wasn’t an officiating error, the penalty was very clear. Negating the forced fumble and Buffalo recovery was a huge shift early in the game.
I want to point out now that this concept can swing both ways. Following the play above, Denver had a pass flat-out dropped in the end zone, followed by a possible missed throw also in the end zone from quarterback Bo Nix. Either of those plays landing is a four-point swing as Denver ultimately kicked a field goal.
0:05 — Denver 1st & 10: A botched snap put the ball on the turf. Defensive end Greg Rousseau dove toward it and the luckiest bounce of all time put it back in Bo Nix’ hands. Buffalo would have had the ball inside the Denver 20. While the Bills did force a three and out on the drive, this would have likely yielded a three-point swing at least.
