Bills’ Sean McDermott Calls Costly Penalty ‘Inexcusable’ After Loss to Broncos

The Bills’ 24–22 loss to the Broncos on Monday Night Football was rooted in errors from the first play of the game.

However, with Buffalo (5–5) less than 30 seconds away from picking up its sixth win of the season to remain in the AFC playoff conversation, the team made its biggest blunder of the game. The Bills were penalized for having 12 players on the field when Broncos kicker Will Lutz botched his initial 41-yard field goal attempt, which went wide right.

The costly penalty resulted in Lutz nailing a 36-yard game-winning field goal right down the middle of the uprights, giving Denver (4–5) its third consecutive victory this season. Following the loss, a frustrated Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters that the error was unacceptable.

Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott discussed the team’s costly late penalty, which afforded the Denver Broncos a second shot at a game-winning field goal.

Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports

“We practiced two or three times this week—the substitution from dime to field goal block. At the end of the day, we didn’t execute it, so it’s inexcusable,” McDermott said.

Buffalo recorded its second consecutive loss and currently sits on the outside of the AFC playoff picture. Things will not get easier for the Bills as they face the Jets (4–5) on Sunday followed by two road matchups the Chiefs (7–2) and Eagles (8–1), a bye week, and a battle against the Cowboys (6–3) over the next five weeks.