The Denver Broncos got the ball to start the second quarter. They avoided disaster on the final play of the first quarter with a fumble by RJ Harvey, but Bo Nix was able to pick it up and throw it for
an incompletion instead. That would set the tone for a three-and-out for the Broncos to give the ball right back to a hot Josh Allen and Buffalo Bills offense.
The Bills defense was running it down the Broncos throats and were unable to contain Allen with Buffalo quickly getting it into field goal range, but James Cooked would fumble after a huge hit by Alex Singleton to jar the football loose to give it right back to Denver.
Jaleel McLaughlin ripped off a 13-yard gain on the first play of the Broncos next drive, then Nix went to throw his way in the flat but had the ball batted down. RJ Harvey would fight his way for a 12-yard run, though, to pick up the first down anyway.
Two plays later, Bo Nix fired a deep ball to Marvin Mims Jr. for a 27-yard gain into the red zone.
After a one yard loss by Harvey, Nix scrambled his way for a nice gain of nine yards to bring up a third and short. Bo Nix would then hit a wide open Frank Crum for the touchdown to an eligible tackle.
Broncos 10, Bills 7.
The Broncos defense continued to struggle to stop the run and in the passing game couldn’t cover those running backs either. Tight ends too got into the mix on that drive. Zach Allen and Malcolm Roach combined for a sack to help there, but a quick screen pass got those yards back to bring up a third and 10 at the Broncos 30 yard line. Allen would find an open Brandin Cooks for a 15-yard gain with Pat Surtain II in coverage to keep the drive going.
After a short run by Cooks, Roach got in for another sack to bring up a third and nine. They would finally hold to force the Bills to kick the field goal to tie the game up.
Broncos 10, Bills 10.
With just over two minutes to go, the Broncos needed to score before halftime since the Bills would get the ball to start the second half.
Their drive began with Bo Nix rolling out and missing a pass to a wide open Courtland Sutton that would have been a big gain. Nix followed it up with a quick pass to Evan Engram over the middle for seven yards right at the two minute warning. On third and three, Nix made a fantastic throw to Marvin Mims Jr. to pick up the critical third down at their own 44-yard line.
A near strip-sack was avoided with an incomplete pass, then Nix found Tyler Badie for a seven yard gain. Nix then broke free from pressure to run for the first down near field goal range.
Alex Forsyth was called for holding, though, on the very next play to pin Denver into a 1st and 20 situation. A dump off to RJ Harvey picked up 10 yards to remove the penalty yards with 44 seconds left. On second and 10, Nix tried to fit one in to Sutton for a first down but it was knocked away. Nix would find Mims for the clutch catch and a 14-yard gain to keep the drive going.
With 32 seconds left, the Broncos were looking to get a touchdown play before half time. However, the Bills generated good pressure on first down to force Nix to throw it in the dirt on first down. Then on the next play, Nix lofted a pass to a wide open Lil’Jordan Humphrey for the redemption touchdown with just 22 seconds left in the half.
Broncos 17, Bills 10.
That was a massive drive for the Denver Broncos before the half.
Josh Allen tried to make a play before halftime, but fumbled the ball on a scramble to give the Broncos a 50-yard field goal attempt that Wil Lutz nailed with two seconds left in the half to put Denver up by two scores.
Broncos 20, Bills 10.
