Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton was hungry for the ball.
In Denver’s 24-22 win over the Bills on Monday night, there was 1:19 left in the third quarter when Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen botched a handoff to running back James Cook, causing the ball to jar loose. Singleton pushed off wide receiver Stefon Diggs as he dived for the recovery, marking the Broncos’ fourth takeaway of the game.
“You have to be willing to sacrifice your body, and I can guarantee I’m willing to throw my body in any pile before (Diggs) ever does,” Singleton said.
Denver’s ability to force turnovers has been essential to its defensive turnaround. The Broncos have forced 15 turnovers since Week 4 and nine in the last two games.
This is the first time since 1998 that Denver has forced at least nine turnovers in a two-game span. Denver is tied for sixth in the league in takeaways with 16.
“We continue to put more emphasis on turnovers,” Singleton said. “I think that was our Achilles heel last season. It’s starting to click for us.”
Against the Bills, Denver’s defense set the tone from the jump.
On Buffalo’s first play of the game, Allen threw a short pass to Cook before Denver nickel cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian stripped him and recovered the ball. On the Bills’ next possession, Allen’s pass bounced off wide receiver Gabe Davis’ hands before safety Justin Simmons corralled it.
With 45 seconds left in the second quarter, cornerback Fabian Moreau read Allen’s throw before making a leaping interception near the sideline.
This season, the Broncos have picked off Allen and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes a combined five times.
“(Turnovers were) the difference last night,” head coach Sean Payton said. “It’ll be the key for us as we move forward.”
Payton on rushed kick. When the Broncos were at Buffalo’s 17-yard line after a defensive pass interference call, they easily could’ve lined up and settled for a field goal with 29 seconds left in the regulation. But Payton decided to run the clock down. Why? He didn’t want to give Allen an opportunity to stage a comeback. More importantly, he didn’t want to see Diggs back on the field.
“The last time I did that with (Diggs), well, we know how that ended,” Payton said, referring to the Minneapolis Miracle in 2018 when Diggs, a former Vikings wideout, caught a 61-yard touchdown pass as time expired to lift Minnesota over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Round.
Payton’s decision paid off — sort of.
Kicker Wil Lutz he missed the first attempt when the Broncos rushed onto the field with a ticking clock, but the Bills were flagged for too many men on the field. Granted a reprieve, Lutz converted the game-winning field goal as time expired.
Jackson activated. Kareem Jackson on Tuesday was officially activated from the league’s reserve/suspended list.
The veteran safety missed two games due to suspension for a series of high hits. He can practice with the team this week — the Broncos are off Wednesday and then return to preparing for Minnesota on Thursday — and play Sunday.
Jackson’s return is timely considering safety P.J. Locke missed the final 34 defensive snaps Monday at Buffalo with a left ankle injury. Locke had a walking boot on his left foot in the post-game locker room, but indicated he didn’t think the injury was serious.
In a corresponding move, Denver waived defensive lineman Keondre Coburn from the 53-man roster and also released cornerback Reese Taylor from the practice squad. Coburn, a sixth-round draft pick this spring, was claimed off waivers from Kansas City. If he clears waivers, he’d be free to sign with Denver’s practice squad or any other team.
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