Bills’ Costly Penalty Baffles MNF Viewers After Broncos Capitalize on Mistake to Win Game

Monday’s outcome may haunt Buffalo for the rest of the 2023 season.

In a bizarre game that featured many twists and turns, the Broncos outlasted the Bills on Monday Night Football following a wild finish that will likely haunt Buffalo through the end of the season.

A 22–21 Buffalo lead with 1:55 left in regulation put Denver’s collective backs against the wall, though the offense responded with a 10-play, 57-yard drive to get into field goal range. 

After gaining 28 yards on a huge defensive pass interference, the Broncos trotted out kicker Wil Lutz for a potential, 41-yard game-winner. Lutz’s kick would veer wide right as the Bills and their fans began erupting in celebration. 

The feel-good moment quickly soured, however, after the Bills were penalized for having 12 men on the field. The costly call would give Lutz a mulligan from 36 yards, which he would perfectly drill to send Josh Allen, his team and all the Buffalo fans in attendance home unhappy.

WIL LUTZ FOR THE WIN 🙌

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/PNeSQjpDRo

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 14, 2023

Given the chaos of the primetime contest, the Broncos’ unreal victory ignited waves of reactions from viewers online, with many roasting the now 5–5 Bills for essentially surrendering a would-be win in such painful fashion:

Bills had 12 men on the field for a FG that MISSED and would have sent them into the locker room as winners.

One of the 12 guys was a safety 8 yards off the line of scrimmage that did as much as you or me on the play.

Flag. Re-kick. Broncos win.

That’s some horrible, horrible…

— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) November 14, 2023

The Broncos were in the midst of an all-time calamity on an inexplicable quick change field goal and the Bills stopped them to do something worse. I think I've seen enough from the 2023 Buffalo Bills.

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) November 14, 2023

The Bills would’ve won the game but had 12 men on the field for the shanked field goal 😬 pic.twitter.com/7E6iJJdVPT

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) November 14, 2023

THE BRONCOS MISS THE FIELD GOAL BUT THE BILLS HAVE 12 MEN ON THE FIELD pic.twitter.com/Md0gjZchkS

— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) November 14, 2023

HE MISSED IT AND THE BILLS HAD TOO MANY MEN ON THE FIELD

How do you do that?

— Tom Grossi (@tomgrossicomedy) November 14, 2023

Having too many men on the field for that FG attempt is legitimately a fireable offense, but I don't think major heads would roll. It would likely get pinned on Matthew Smiley. https://t.co/KJQzsZi06c

— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) November 14, 2023

Just an absolute disaster of a game for Josh Allen & The Bills…SO many mistakes/turnovers. Too many men on the field??? Come on.

— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) November 14, 2023

I seriously couldn’t imagine being a Bills fan right now. Game was over, but you had too many men on the field? Now, your season is over. pic.twitter.com/pidHwhruoO

— Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels) November 14, 2023

Bills fans seeing a penalty flag on the field after the missed FG pic.twitter.com/CUF1FAnpbL

— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) November 14, 2023