Miscues haunt Broncos in defeat
Miller’s attempt at humor backfires
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The attempted joke backfired on linebacker Von Miller.
Actually, very little went right for the rest of the Denver Broncos, too, in falling to 2-1 following a 26-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
It was Miller, however, who accepted the brunt of the blame after being flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct in helping the Bills extend their final scoring drive late in the fourth quarter.
After stopping Buffalo on third-and-6 at Denver’s 46, Miller offered his hand in what appeared to be an attempt to help up Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor. And then Miller pulled his hand away at the last second in front of an official, who immediately threw a flag.
“I’ve got to be better than that. It hits you in the stomach,” Miller said. “I just can’t kill us. I killed the game today with that penalty. I’ve just got to be better than that.”
The Broncos could’ve been better in a variety of areas in looking nothing like the team that rolled to a 42-17 win over Dallas last weekend.
Quarterback Trevor Siemian threw two interceptions to end two of Denver’s final four drives. The other two ended when the Broncos turned the ball over on downs, including once on a fake punt in the final seconds of the third quarter.
Facing fourth-and-2 at their 31, De’Angelo Henderson took the direct snap and was limited to a 1-yard gain after being tackled from behind by Deon Lacey. It didn’t help that Broncos cornerback Lorenzo Doss was late in scrambling onto the field.
Denver lost despite holding the edge over Buffalo in several categories, including 366-272 in yards of offense.
“Yeah, the stats say we should have won,” receiver Demaryius Thomas said. “With those turnovers, it’s hard to beat anyone in this league.”