But the pick was just one of a staggering five takeaways by the Denver defense. The Broncos intercepted the reigning MVP in Allen twice, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto forced two Allen fumbles and inside linebacker Alex Singleton punched the ball free from Bills running back and 2025 rushing champion James Cook, lifting the Broncos to a plus-four turnover margin. The Broncos also denied Allen from completing any of his nine passes of more than 20 air yards, per NFL’s Next Gen Stats, including interceptions on two of those attempts.
“That’s what we needed in those crucial moments in the game,” cornerback Pat Surtain II said. “We stepped up when called, and that’s big-time. Shoutout to Nik, P.J., ‘Mac’ on that incredible interception, all those guys for making plays when we need it.”
For most of the Broncos’ regular-season slate, low takeaway numbers emerged as the unit’s lone uncharacteristic trend. Prior to Denver’s regular-season finale against the Chargers, the Broncos did not record more than two turnovers in any of their games, prompting Payton to make taking the ball away a point of emphasis.
Denver’s defense heeded the call against the Chargers, tying a season-best with two takeaways, but the Broncos took the focus to another level against the high-powered Bills offense and turned the game on the “avalanche of turnovers” tight end Evan Engram hoped for in the aftermath of the Broncos’ Week 18 win.
Inside linebacker Alex Singleton started the run, jarring the ball free from Cook’s grasp in the second quarter with the Bills ahead 7-3 and deep in Denver territory. Safety Talanoa Hufanga pounced on the loose football, and quarterback Bo Nix capitalized by leading a touchdown drive on the Broncos’ ensuing offensive possession.
“I was just doing my job, and that’s what everyone on this defense did tonight,” Singleton said. “It was just guys doing their job over and over again, and just making the plays when we’ve got to make the plays. For me, it’s a clean tackle but it’s [Hufanga] getting on the ball. It’s guys just on this defense being relentless to the football no matter what the situation is and making plays when we need them.”
Just before halftime, the Broncos seized a 17-10 lead on a Bo Nix touchdown pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey with 22 seconds remaining. Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto wasn’t content to go into halftime with the lead, though. Bonitto utilized his knowledge of Allen’s tendencies of scrambling with one hand on the football and forced Allen to fumble, and a recovery by Devon Key allowed Lutz to kick a 50-yard field goal on the half’s final play.
Fresh out of the halftime break, Bonitto struck again. The Pro Bowl pass rusher strip-sacked Allen deep in Buffalo territory — Bonitto’s second forced fumble in a span of three Bills offensive plays — and defensive tackle Malcolm Roach recovered the free football. Four plays later, a Lutz field goal extended Denver’s lead to 23-10 in the third quarter.
