The Buffalo Bills won their first AFC East division title in a dog’s age by stomping all over the Denver Broncos on so-called Saturday Night Football. The 48-19 victory in Denver came rather easily, as after the Broncos’ first possession, which resulted in a missed field goal, Buffalo rattled off two touchdowns on their next two possessions and were never really threatened again. Once again, the rookie class contributed to the win although not really as a deciding factor. More about how each rookie performed against the Broncos below.
DE A.J. Epenesa
Broncos quarterback Drew Lock was doing his best to get the ball out of his hands, but the rookie pass rusher did flash some positive plays against the pass. Early in the second quarter, Epenesa made a nice inside move on a blocking tight end and managed to bat down a pass. Later in the third quarter, his quick pressure of Lock forced an inaccurate screen pass to Noah Fant. Unfortunately, Epenesa left the game in the fourth quarter with a possible concussion.
RB Zack Moss
The Bills’ former third-round pick continues to take on the mantle of “Closer” for the team, but utilizing his physical brand of running to run out the clock late in games. Towards the beginning of the fourth quarter, Brian Daboll called four straight Moss runs that went for nine, 26, six and one yard respectively. Later on that same drive, Moss ran three more times in a row, which put the team in field goal range and chewed up almost eight whole minutes. His 81 yards matched a season high.
WR Gabriel Davis
With only two catches on five targets, Davis continued his trend of not really stepping up to be that second outside receiver the team needs after missing John Brown for so long. He really struggles to create separation on anything other than long developing crossing routes, which he often runs from the slot. Also he had his three-game touchdown streak broken against Denver as he never made it to the end zone, despite coming one yard short on his second reception.
QB Jake Fromm
As with the previous games, Fromm was again a healthy scratch. This has remained the case throughout the season.
K Tyler Bass
A return to perfection for the Bass-o-matic, who missed an extra point last week. This week, he made each of his six extra points, as well as a pair of 27-yard field goals.
WR Isaiah Hodgins
Hodgins remains on Injured Reserve. He recently had surgery on his shoulder.
CB Dane Jackson
Jackson did not see the field against the Broncos with both Josh Norman and Levi Wallace now healthy. He remained on the practice squad as a “protected player.”
TE/FB Reggie Gilliam
Gilliam’s highlight play of the day came on Josh Allen’s 24-yard touchdown run. Lined up as a tight end, Gilliam’s route took him to the middle of the field. Quickly realizing that Allen was scrambling, the rookie pushed cornerback Alijah Holder to the ground, creating a runway for the quarterback to score. In the fourth quarter, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll even let him line up as a traditional fullback and actually block, although the runner didn’t really go to his side.