The game between the Denver Broncos and the Buffalo Bills had reached its climax.
Both teams were preparing for the final offensive play, where the Broncos planned to utilize their field goal unit and the Bills had their field goal block unit ready to defend.
Unfortunately for the Bills, their attempt to secure a 22-21 victory was hindered by a crucial mistake. When the Broncos missed their game-winning field goal, the Bills were hit with a penalty for illegal substitution, as they had 12 players on the field.
This costly error allowed the Broncos another chance, and they capitalized on it, scoring the winning field goal to secure a 24-22 victory.
At the end of the game, Bills head coach Sean McDermott expressed his frustration at the team’s blunder.
He revealed that the Bills had extensively practiced the exact situation that occurred during the game.
They had rehearsed rushing their dime defensive unit off the field and quickly getting their field goal block team on in response to the Broncos’ offensive play.
“We practiced two or three times this week the substitution from dime to field goal block and at the end of the day we didn’t execute it. So it’s inexcusable,” McDermott said.
Sean McDermott: Substitution penalty was "inexcusable." https://t.co/jplJFYrdlO
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 14, 2023
The fact that the team failed to execute properly when it mattered most was deeply disappointing for McDermott.
The penalty for illegal substitution was, without a doubt, a critical mistake that robbed the Bills of victory.
It was a moment that exposed a lapse in execution and reinforced the urgency for the team to address their ongoing issues.
The Bills now find themselves at 5-5 for the season, and if they hope to have a successful season, they must rectify their recurring problems.
