Buffalo Bills @ Denver Broncos
The Bills came into this game needing a win to clinch their division, while the Broncos were just hoping to find some positives to build on for next season. Denver started pretty well, driving down the field and into field goal position. But with Brandon McManus out with an injury, the Broncos were relying on a new kicker who badly missed the field goal. The Bills then went down the field and scored, and they never looked back, holding onto that lead for the rest of the game. Josh Allen shredded the Denver defense for almost 400 total yards and four touchdowns, and Drew Lock was unable to keep pace. Buffalo won 48-19, and clinched a division title in the process.
Buffalo Bills
Quarterback
Josh Allen: 28/40, 359 yards, 2 TDs, 1 sack | 3 carries, 33 yards, 2 TDs
Josh Allen looked every bit the part of an MVP candidate in this one. He had a series of really impressive throws, including a sidearm throw as he was falling down that he put right on target to complete a third down, as well as this beautiful touchdown throw:
Absolute dart. 🎯
📺 #BUFvsDEN: https://t.co/9ooueWDTYu pic.twitter.com/bOE1tkpXVq
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 19, 2020
Allen also got it done with his legs, scoring two touchdowns on the ground. Allen also did a good job of protecting the football and making smart decisions. Aside from a strip-sack, which Allen was able to recover, he avoided mistakes and even threw the ball away on a designed quarterback run when the blocking did not set up correctly. The leap Allen has made this season to join the elite tier of fantasy quarterbacks has been impressive, and today was just another showcase of his improved decision making and accuracy, as well as his arm talent and athleticism.
Running Backs
Devin Singletary: 8 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 16 yards
Zack Moss: 13 carries, 81 yards
Even playing with a big lead the Bills did not turn to the running game much. Zach Moss was effective between the tackles and was consistently able to generate positive plays to keep the Buffalo offense on schedule when they needed him. Devin Singletary saved his day with a 51-yard touchdown as the Bills were trying to run out the clock and the Denver defense appeared to be ready to go home instead of being ready to make a tackle. Singletary also had a really cool touchdown off of a fake throw into a behind-the-back handoff, but it was unfortunately called back on offensive holding.
The Bills scored regardless, but this awesome TD was erased from highlight reels due to a holding penalty earlier on the drive. pic.twitter.com/PTjCR9ZyS5
— QB List (@TheQBlist) December 19, 2020
It’s tough to trust either running back in fantasy while both are healthy and with Allen taking the goal line carries, but both showed flashes of why the Bills drafted them so highly.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Stefon Diggs: 13 targets, 11 receptions, 147 yards
Cole Beasley: 10 targets, 8 receptions, 112 yards
Jake Kumerow: 1 target, 1 reception, 22 yards, 1 TD
Dawson Knox: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 26 yards, 1 TD
Gabriel Davis: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards
Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley seemed to get open at will today and did everything but catch a touchdown on their way to great performances. Diggs ran a lot of short curl and in-routes, and his route-running was precise as always. He was just barely out of bounds on what would have been an impressive reception of at least 40 yards or he would have had a serious chance at challenging for 200 receiving yards. Beasley also ran a lot of underneath routes and was constantly finding soft spots in the defense to give Allen a window to throw to. Dawson Knox and Jake Kumerow ended up with the touchdowns, but this offense revolved around Diggs and Beasley today. It is worth noting that Diggs was carted to the locker room with a foot injury, but the early reports are that this was precautionary and he is not currently expected to miss any time.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Drew Lock: 20/32, 132 yards, 1 TD, 3 sacks, 1 fumble | 5 carries, 37 yards
Tough day for Drew Lock, as the Bills did a great job of pressuring him. They made a nice strip-sack that was returned for a touchdown. Lock handled the pressure better than he has in the past, limiting his poor throws and using his legs a bit more to buy himself time and even pick up some nice gains. Unfortunately, that was not enough to make up for his inability to push the ball down the field, and the Denver offense really struggled. They designed a lot of boot-leg throws for Lock, and he looked comfortable throwing outside of the pocket, but his receivers were struggling to get open and Lock is not at the stage of his career yet where he can think about throwing guys open. Maybe one day he gets there, but today was not that day.
Running Backs
Melvin Gordon III: 11 carries, 61 yards, 2 TDs | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 20 yards
Phillip Lindsay: 11 carries, 38 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 7 yards
Royce Freeman: 1 carry, 4 yards
Melvin Gordon III scored two touchdowns, including one of the worst garbage time touchdowns of the year for fantasy managers facing him, but was otherwise not that effective. He showed some flashes of agility, but was mostly unimpressive on his carries aside from his touchdown runs. Phillip Lindsay was less effective, and both runners were a victim of the offensive line struggling to create any running lanes. Royce Freeman only received one touch, but he did come in for several third downs to block. Gordon was the goal-line option and is the only one of the three worth rostering right now, but chances are if you were relying on Melvin Gordon you probably aren’t still playing for anything.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jerry Jeudy: 5 targets, 1 reception, 19 yards
Tim Patrick: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 14 yards
K.J. Hamler: 4 targets, 1 reception, 4 yards
Noah Fant: 11 targets, 8 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD
Jerry Jeudy was a focal point for the Buffalo defense, as they used a lot of bracket coverages on him and successfully took him out of the game. The rest of the Denver receivers could not pick up the slack, as they all struggled to find openings in the defense. Noah Fant was the lone bright spot, and he made a very nice catch for his touchdown (below).
Other than the touchdown the Denver passing game was quiet, as to be expected when the quarterback does not come close to breaking 200 passing yards.
Drew Lock with his best drive of the day, connects with Noah Fant for the TD.
Fant goes into the half with 6 catches for 53 yards and a TD on 8 targets. #FantasyFootball | #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/ThEAZOEeXg
— QB List (@TheQBlist) December 19, 2020
-Dan Adams (@dadams0323)