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Party like it's 1995! Bills dominate Broncos 48-19 to clinch AFC East title and playoff spot

Jerry Hughes Bills Broncos
Posted at 8:12 PM, Dec 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-19 23:05:58-05

BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — Party like it's 1995, Buffalo Bills fans! For the first time in 25 years the Bills have won the AFC East, topping Denver 48-19 Saturday evening. With the win, the Bills improve to 11-3 on the season and clinch a playoff spot for the 3rd time in the last four seasons.

Game recap

After the Denver Broncos missed an opening drive field goal attempt, the Bills capitalized on their first drive of the game. Starting at their own 41-yard line, Josh Allen and the Bills offense marched down field and capped off the 13-play drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Dawson Knox to take a 7-0 lead after the first quarter.

The Bills kicked off the 2nd quarter with another touchdown drive after Allen kept it himself and took it in from 24 yards out to make it a 14-0 game. After another dominant outing by the Bills defense, the Bills special teams unit had a costly mistake. Andre Roberts muffed the punt on a fair catch and the Broncos recovered the ball. After a Broncos touchdown, the Bills offense got back to work. Allen found Jake Kumerow, the 13th Bills player to catch a touchdown this season, to extend their lead back to two scores. They led 21-13 at the half.

The Bills started the second half like they did the first half. Allen scored his second rushing touchdown of the game to make it 28-13 and put the Bills back up by two scores. Then, it was the defense's turn, scoring a touchdown for the second straight week. Tre'Davious White forced the fumble and Jerry Hughes recovered it and took it to the end zone to make it 35-13 with plenty of time left in the 3rd quarter. The Bills tacked on another field goal to extend their lead heading into the 4th.

Tyler Bass extended their lead once again in the 4th quarter and after the Broncos responded with a touchdown, the Bills responded with one of their own. Devin Singletary ran it in from 51 yards out to add even more to the board.

By the numbers

Allen finished the day going 28-for-40 for 359 yards and four total touchdowns (two passing, two rushing). Allen entered the game 5th all-time when it comes to single season passing yards by a Bills QB and with now over 4,000 yards on the season, sits in 2nd behind Drew Bledsoe. His 2nd rushing touchdown of the game was his 25th career rushing touchdown, tying a franchise record held by Jack Kemp.

Stefon Diggs once again led the receiving game with 11 catches for 147 yards. His first catch of the game made him the new franchise record-holder for catches in a single season by a Bills WR, previously held by Eric Moulds. Diggs is also just 54 yards shy of tying the franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season. Cole Beasley had just as an efficient day, finishing with eight catches for 112 yards.

Up next

The Bills will play in another primetime game when they visit the New England Patriots on Monday, December 28th. Kickoff is set for 8:15pm and can be seen on 7ABC.

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