In a game where discipline was expected to be Denver’s Achilles’ heel, it was Buffalo that unraveled under the weight of costly penalties - and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
The Broncos edged the Bills 33-30 in an overtime thriller at Mile High, punching their ticket to the next round in dramatic fashion. But make no mistake: this game wasn’t just about big plays or clutch throws. It was about flags - and the way they flew in the final moments told the story of a season-ending heartbreak for Buffalo.
Let’s set the stage. The Broncos, who came into the weekend leading the league in penalty yards, managed to flip the script.
Instead of being the ones shooting themselves in the foot, they played clean, disciplined football - just three penalties for 20 yards all game. That composure showed up when it mattered most.
Buffalo, on the other hand, couldn’t get out of its own way when it counted. On the final drive in overtime - the one that set up Wil Lutz’s game-winning field goal - the Bills were flagged twice for defensive pass interference, giving up a staggering 47 yards in penalty yardage. That’s nearly half the field handed over on infractions alone.
The first came when Taron Johnson was flagged for DPI while defending Courtland Sutton. It was a physical play, with Johnson staying tight in coverage and making contact just as the ball arrived. The call was debatable, but the impact wasn’t - Denver was gifted 17 yards and a fresh set of downs.
Then came the backbreaker. Two plays later, on 2nd and 12, Bo Nix uncorked a deep ball to Marvin Mims.
Tre’Davious White was in coverage, but he never gave Mims a chance. The contact came early, and the flag came fast.
Another chunk of penalty yards, and suddenly the Broncos were in prime position to seal the game.
It’s worth noting that Carl Cheffers and his officiating crew have a reputation for throwing more flags than most. And heading into this game, Denver had been the most penalized team in the league - especially when it came to defensive pass interference.
But on this night, the Broncos’ secondary cleaned up its act. They stayed composed, stayed within the rules, and let Buffalo be the one to crack under pressure.
Meanwhile, Josh Allen - who led the league in drawing penalties that led to points - couldn’t get the same kind of help from the other side of the ball. The Bills' defense, aggressive all year, crossed the line when it mattered most.
In a game this tight, every yard mattered. And in the end, it was the penalty yardage - not just the passing yardage - that defined the final drive and the final score.
Denver moves on. Buffalo heads home. And for the Bills, this one’s going to sting - not just because of the loss, but because of how it happened.