After their opening series, the Broncos had six consecutive offensive series and eight of their last nine that finished in Buffalo territory.
However, the Broncos got just one touchdown and three field goals.
Still, with their grandiose finish, the Broncos are confident their offense is just beginning to click.
“We had that problem early last year, too,” left tackle Matt Lepsis said. “It’s kind of worrisome. Why can’t we finish drives? But it is definitely more explosive this time around than we were last year. Last year we were really flat.”
The Broncos’ talent at quarterback (Jay Cutler), running back (Travis Henry), tight end (Daniel Graham) and top three receivers (Javon Walker, Brandon Marshall and Brandon Stokley) may be the best since their last Super Bowl season of 1998.
Hixon saw, heard nothing
Domenik Hixon talked about the opening kickoff return of the second half, when Buffalo’s Kevin Everett suffered a cervical spine injury while tackling Hixon.
“Honestly, there was nothing out of the ordinary on the play,” Hixon said. “I had no idea anything was wrong. He hit me, and then I was trying to get up myself. I didn’t realize, see or hear anything. … All I can do is pray for him now.”
Bad memories
Seeing the injury to Everett made the Broncos think of their own recent history of sad news. In the offseason, 24-year-old players Darrent Williams and Damien Nash died.
“A few of us talked about D-Will before the game, and I know we were all thinking of him in our own way today,” Foxworth said. “Seeing what happened today just brings back memories of sadness for us, too. It was just disgusting to see (Everett) lying out there, not moving.”
Special Champ
Cornerback Champ Bailey didn’t play on special teams last season. Sunday, he was on the coverage units and expects to be there the rest of the season. Bailey, one of the surest tacklers on the team, had two of Denver’s five tackles on special teams.
“Come Sunday, I’ll do whatever it takes,” Bailey said. “I’ll even kick if they want me to. I don’t think I would have done as well as Jason did on that last one, though.”
Option Jay
Backed up to their own 2-yard line on their first offensive series of the season, the Broncos escaped their hole with a nifty option pitch from Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler to tailback Travis Henry for a 33-yard gain. Cutler played the option his freshman year at Vanderbilt. “I thought I was done with that,” Cutler said.
Planned chaos
It looked bleak for the Broncos when Jason Elam missed a field goal with 3:32 remaining. Not only were the Broncos down 14-12, but Buffalo got the ball at their 33-yard line. But after a clutch three-and-out by the defense, the Broncos got another break when the Bills’ Robert Royal was called for holding on a punt.
Instead of getting the ball at their own 15, the Broncos wound up with the ball at their own 34 after a second punt – a 19-yard advance.
“At the end, it may seem like some luck, but those are all things we practice,” said John Lynch, who sprained his ankle. No X-rays were taken.
Paying off
Todd Sauerbrun admits it. He has always thought special-teams coach Scott O’Brien was a little nuts. O’Brien makes his unit use the last-minute field-goal drill every day in practice, Sauerbrun said.
“I always laughed at Scott for it,” said Sauerbrun, who played for O’Brien at Carolina. “I’ve told Jason Elam we’ll never use it. … Well, today, we used it.”
Foxworth hurt, but OK
Nickel cornerback Domonique Foxworth left the game with a sprained ankle in the second quarter, and Jeff Shoate took over. Foxworth did not return but he said he had X-rays taken and they were negative.
Big game for D.J.
D.J. Williams had a team-high nine tackles in his first game as Broncos middle linebacker. Williams, who admitted he struggled in the preseason, also had a key 14-yard sack.
Inactives
The Broncos non-injury inactive players were tight end Stephen Alexander, receiver Brian Clark, defensive tackle Antwon Burton and running back Andre Hall. The other inactive players were guard Ben Hamilton (concussion), cornerback Karl Paymah (concussion), tackle Ryan Harris (tackle) and rookie defensive end Tim Crowder (ankle). Rookie safety John Wendling, a Wyoming product, was among Buffalo’s inactive players.
