Two weeks removed from a win against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Denver Broncos gave a great battle to another AFC heavyweight in the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football in Week 10. Here are the studs and duds from Denver’s dramatic 24-22 victory.
Stud: Defense
The Denver Broncos’ defense has found their groove. In the past two games, the Broncos have forced nine takeaways — five against the Chiefs and four against Buffalo. Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillan set the tone early on the very first play of the game, forcing and recovering a fumble. The defense also forced two Josh Allen interceptions, along with another fumble. The biggest moment of the game might be an interception by cornerback Fabian Moreau right before halftime. The Broncos had just got a field goal before that, and the interception allowed Denver to snatch another three points right before halftime.
Dud: Points off turnovers
Despite the heroic effort by the defense, the Broncos’ offense could not put the ball in the end zone after turnovers. The Broncos were only able to score six points off Bills turnovers, a far cry from what Broncos Country and Sean Payton would like to see.
Studs: Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine
Running back Javonte Williams led the Broncos’ rushing attack with 79 yards on 21 carries. Williams also caught a go-ahead touchdown before the Bills went down to score just after the two-minute warning.
Samaje Perine was just as instrumental on the closing drives of the game. Perine was on the receiving end of a few ad-libbed passes by quarterback Russell Wilson that converted crucial third downs. Perine has been exactly the running back the Broncos have needed this season. After so much criticism in the offseason for not pursuing a big-name running back, the trio of Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin and Williams have been exceptional.
Dud: Extra points
Kicker Wil Lutz missed his second extra point of the season, his first since the opening game against the Las Vegas Raiders. In the fourth quarter, the long snapper-holder exchange went awry, leading to another point off the board. Those two points ended up being a very decisive factor in the game. Lutz missed his first 41-yard attempt at the end of the game, but a 12 men on the defense penalty against the Bills gave Lutz a do-over, which he drilled for the game-winner! Lutz is one lucky guy. He was one Buffalo player away from potentially being the scapegoat in Denver this week.
Stud: Broncos' resilience
Nobody can say this was a pretty game by any means, as the Broncos failed to capitalize on several prime opportunities, but in the end, this team is totally different than last season. Even in ugly games, Denver has made things really close. After going down one with 1:55 left in the fourth, the Broncos drove down the field and eventually kicked the game-winning field goal. This game marks the first three-game win streak since the first three weeks of the 2021 season, in former head coach Vic Fangio’s final year. Broncos Country is feeling more optimistic these days with Payton in charge.
