15:00: The Bills have a second-and-6 from their own 32-yard line when play resumes.
Trent Edwards drops back and finds running back Fred Jackson streaking down the right sideline. He makes the catch and reverses field to avoid Broncos defenders. He picks up 65 yards before being taken down by Dre’ Bly at the Denver three-yard line.
13:30: After a one-yard gain on first-and-goal, Edwards hands off to Xavier Omon for the second consecutive play, and he loses a yard after being taken down by Jamie Winborn and Josh Bell. On third-and-goal, Edwards’ pass is complete to Steve Johnson in the end zone. Dre’ Bly made a diving attempt to break it up, and may have gotten a piece of it, but Johnson got the touchdown.
The Rian Lindell extra point puts the Bills back on top of the Broncos, 23-20.
TWO UPDATES: For Buffalo, running back Marshawn Lynch’s return is questionable with a shoulder injury. For Denver, Jay Cutler is now just 17 yards away from breaking the franchise’s single-season passing yard record.
12:47: Selvin Young is back to receive the Buffalo kickoff. He takes it out to the 26-yard line, and the offense takes over.
On first down, Cutler sends Tatum Bell in motion, setting up an empty backfield. He drops back and lets loose a pass down the middle of the field and into the waiting arms of a wide-open Tony Scheffler. It’s a 36-yard reception, setting up a first-and-10 at the Buffalo 38-yard line.
Cutler is in the shotgun, drops back and quickly fires a pass to Eddie Royal, who slides to the ground and makes the reception for another first-down.
UPDATE: With the long pass to Scheffler, Cutler set the Broncos franchise record for single-season passing yards.
11:13: An incomplete pass on first down — Royal slipped — sets up a second-and-10. Cutler hands off to Young, who picks up two yards.
Now it’s third-and-8 for the Broncos at the Buffalo 25-yard line. Cutler is in the shotgun with Tatum Bell to his left. He launches a pass to the back of the end zone, but it’s over the head of a streaking Royal.
11:03: On fourth down, Prater drives home a 43-yard field goal attempt to tie the game. The Broncos and Bills are all knotted up at 23-23.
10:54: After a short kickoff by Prater — trying to keep it away from special teams nightmare Leodis McKelvin — Fred Jackson fields it and takes it 30 yards into Broncos territory.
The Bills are set up to start their drive at the Denver 45.
A girl in a bright orange bikini top was just shown on the big screen — Broncos fans apparently take their cold weather games seriously.
Now play resumes and Edwards fakes a handoff before rolling to his right and finding Josh Reed for a first down at the 29-yard line.
10:20: On first down, it’s play-action from Edwards again, and he completes a pass as he’s hit to Reed again, setting up another first down on the 18-yard line.
9:09: After a 10-yard run by Jackson and a measurement, the Bills have a first-and-goal from the eight-yard line. On first down, Jackson takes the carry eight yards into the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point is good, and Buffalo leads Denver, 30-23.
8:48: The Broncos offense jogs to the line at their own 24. Empty backfield for Cutler, who drops back and is hit as he throws into space. The pass falls incomplete between two Bills defenders.
8:43: Second-and-10, Cutler is in the shotgun with Tatum Bell beside him. He tries to get the ball to Eddie Royal, but the pass is intercepted at about the Denver 25-yard line. There’s a flag on the play, however. Holding on Marcus Stroud — five-yard penalty and automatic first down. Interception negated.
On the next play, Cutler finds Marshall for a 19-yard gain. Tatum Bell follows that up with a three-yard run, then a Cutler pass intended for Brandon Stokley falls incomplete.
That sets up third-and-7, and Cutler finds Royal for 15 yards and the first down.
7:10: On first down, Cutler finds Marshall for eight yards, then follows that up with another connection for 11 yards down to the Buffalo 15-yard line.
5:42: It’s third-and-10 from the 15 after two incomplete Cutler passes. The first was a quick throw-away to avoid a sack, and the second was just over Marshall’s head in the back of the end zone. Now on third down, Cutler tries to get the ball to Marshall for a touchdown, but it’s intercepted at the goal line by Kawika Mitchell. He returns it to the two-yard line, where Buffalo has a first-and-10.
4:55: Fred Jackson takes two consecutive handoffs — the first picks up five yards, the second is snuffed out by Ebenezer Ekuban and Marcus Thomas for no gain. Now it’s third-and-5 for the Bills at their own 7.
Jackson takes the pitch on third down to the right side, but Nic Clemons is there for the initial stop, blowing up the play after one yard.
The crowd chants, “Eddie! Eddie!” As Brian Moorman is in to punt. The ball takes a Buffalo bounce in front of Royal, and the the Bills down it at the Denver 39-yard line. It’s a 53-yard punt.
2:45: Cutler completes a seven-yard pass to Brandon Stokley on first down, then avoids some defenders on a scramble on second-and-3 to pick up a first down in Buffalo territory. It’s a nine-yard run for the quarterback.
On the next first down, he tries to get the ball to Marshall, but Terrence McGee is there to knock the ball away. Solid coverage by McGee on what looked to be a catch by Marshall inside the 20.
2:01: On the last play before the two minute warning, Cutler is in teh shotgun and tries to find Stokley near the first-down marker. The ball is knocked away, and the Broncos have a third-and-10 from the Buffalo 45-yard line on the other side of the break.
1:56: Cutler is in the shotgun with an empty backfield. Four receivers are out wide. He drops back, dances in the pocket and finds Stokley for the first down. Stokley gets back up and starts sprinting toward the end zone, but the refs say he was down by contact.
Now the ball is at the 32-yard line, first-and-10. Cutler gets it to Marshall for another first down at the 20-yard line. They’re back in the red zone, and the team calls its second timeout of the half.
1:16: Cutler’s pass to Stokley in the middle of the field falls incomplete after a defensive back meets Stokley just as the ball gets there. It looks like he might have an interception, but the ball hits the ground.
On second down, Cutler is in the shotgun again and gets the ball out to Daniel Graham for a five-yard gain. The offense hurries up to the line and Cutler takes the snap in shotgun again before overthrowing Stokley in the back of the end zone.
0:39: It’s now fourth-and-5 at the 15-yard line for the Broncos, down by a touchdown. The offense huddles up, and Cutler is in the shotgun with four receivers out wide. He takes the snap and lofts it to Stokley, who almost comes away with a miraculous catch — but the ball pops out as he hits the ground.
Turnover on downs.
Edwards takes a knee to end the game, and the two teams meet at midfield to shake hands.
The Bills come away with the victory, 30-23.
The loss means the Broncos will head to San Diego next week for a winner-to-the-playoffs, loser-go-home matchup.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Fourth Quarter, Gray Caldwell, Live Blog, Week 16
we need to force a Turn over
maybe bly should just play on the side he did when champ was hurt, he played a hell of a lot better on that side.
I guess someone should wake the “doubters” up.
This game is not won yet . . .
there’s that denver D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saying this defense sucks does not make you a doubter when you our obviously speaking the truth.
cutler should just keep using the TE’s
tied…. lets see what denver d wants to show up for this next series……
he made something in the 40 yd range! FINALLY GOOD JOB!
Right there with you West Coast. The problem is the coaches — and some fans on this board — think a 4 point lead is insurmountable, even with an entire quarter to play.
I was very pleased to see Jay score, but as I said in the 3rd quarter, a four point lead is nothing to get overly comfortable about.
Especially with our D. In fact, with our D, a 3 TD lead could be suspect with 10 minutes left in the game.
Joeski a TRUE broncos fan
we rnt criticizing the 54 yrd miss but instead the last 13 kicks that he has taken
whats up with matt prater?! i could kick a kickoff better than that!!!!!!!!
Who’s deciding to do these short kicks?
not a mad drive…just wish cutler didnt over throw him…he must have though he was throwing to Bmarsh…not to say anything about royal but bmarsh is obviously taller and bigger…..and more experienced
And YES the defense SUCKS!!!!
I just saw p rivers on tv and I wanted to punch the tv
when your defense is playing this bad how an you leave a playmaker like woodyard on the sideline and watch webster get ran over through and around?
i hope this game proves to bowlen that shanny needs to go, we are awful.
stillafan…That is why a change is needed in coaching period
t koch,
You are going to have LOTS of opportunities to punch your TV next week.
Especially if we lose this game, because if we do, we’re going to get thrashed next week.
I had a feeling since week two that this season would end where it started….week 2 against the chargers. Im not throwing in the towel for this game accepting defeat but the broncos offense is hot sometimes, then cold, then one sided and the defense is just usually dissapointing…we shoulda ended this season a long time ago
Lets not forget its Shanny who wanted Jay, Eddie, Bmarsh,etc
I’m starting to get a bit concerned. Although, all we need is a touchdown and a 2 point conversion; we win.
(Do the Chargers typically get thrashed when playing with home field advantage? Just wondering….)
has anyone ever noticed that jay never does a dump off pass… its always down the field… down the field. all or nothing i guess!!!!
i hope so cuz we’re playing them for sure now. its over now with that pick unless a miracle happens….
Good job D!
its not the coaches who turn the football over…
Where PJ been?
Ouch.
what is up with this play calling, attempt a run for once!!!
Nice catch by Stokley and Marshall!!
Cutler’s been awesome… keep it up!
GO BRONCOS!!!
Who thinks we go for 2 if we score a TD? I DO!!!!……
Thats if we get to that point….
well now it comes down the next week.
LOL I spoke 2 soon
GUESS WHAT ALL YOU OPTIMISTS ,ITS OVER!!!!!!!
These guys can’t win at home to save their lives, crazy! You better believe the Chargers are licking their chops now.
WOW…. I guess I will get ready to take abuse from the charger fans at the game next week because it will be a blow out
OH MY WORD!!! That was a shocker, wow.
Come out strong in SD… i can’t believe this. Did not see this coming. But here come all the nay-sayers.
I still believe in this team’s season, give ‘em a fight in San Diego!!
Have faith Broncos Country…
GO BRONCOS!!!
Wow. Thats cool. Id rather enter the playoffs with a win at san diego anyway lol! Would be better for the confidence. Will be mighty tough in the playoffs anyway!
stillafan – I’m one of those optimists and IT ISN’T OVER TILL ITS OVER. We haven’t played our last game yet, you have no idea if we will win it or not and neither do I.
Like I just said in my last comment… here come the nay-sayers. You people just don’t get it. No use in trying to explain something so simple to a bunch of unbelievers who can’t carry faith in this team. Its useless trying to talk some common sense into a bunch of two year olds.
Get some faith Broncos Country!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
This game just reminded me of our loss to 49ers @ home when we were running for a wildcard spot a couple of years ago. Guess they did not learn any from the previous loss…..
This is a total disappoinment and pathetic team loss starting from Shanny down to equipment manager.
Well, there always will be a next week. (or a next season??)
We Dont Deserve Too b In the PLayoffs….Sry A** Bills put 30pts on us… C yall next year…..
We SUCK!! I told some one at work last week it would make it even sweeter to beat them in their house but,….not likely.
this is rediculous. They gave the damn game away. The only thing we can hope for is that they play good on the road next week. There is no way we can give the chargers the division when they were 3 games behind with 3 games to play. It will truely be an embarassment to be a broncos fan.
If we stand any chance in the playoffs we need some confidence going in. the only thing that can do that is winning at your arch rival to gain entry. If we dont, then we dont. But i for one believe we are good enough on our day to take any team down. Best of luck next week Broncos!
07elway i was referring to this game however since you brought it up if you think this team can compete with san diego in their house all the faith in the world won’t help.but just maybe if the team can pull their heads out of their butts.you never know
I’m a die hard fan, I will always love this team… but, unfortunately, this team don’t deserve to go to playoffs.
Obvisously I want a win over the Chargers next week, but they’ve been hot this last 2 weeks and our Defense can’t stop a bad Offense.
I also know that we can’t get too far in playoffs, because you need a nice D to stop the good O’s that are going there.
With our potent O we just need a nice D to win the Super Bowl (remember the Colts?).
superbowlxxxIII True dat!!!
Look it’s not that we don’t believe in this team and we are nay-sayers we just understand how the game of football is played. The farters I mean chargers have faced and defeated the similar opponents (and trashed most of them).
While we are only good for incomplete over the middle, incomplete deep, incomplete deep, and a punt. Don’t talk about we have no rb’s bc we do but we just choose not to use them!
why the hell wouldnt the naysayers come out elway07. if we cant beat a team like buffalo with a playoff environment then even IF we make the playoffs we are clearly going to have trouble beating anyone. your overly positive attitude is ridiculous at a time like this. i bet you if you went into the locker room and started throwing this faith stuff out you would get b!tch slapped by shanny.