Bo Nix threw two touchdown passes in the first half to help the Denver Broncos to a 20-10 lead over the Buffalo Bills at halftime of their AFC Divisional Round playoff tilt on Saturday afternoon.
Broncos kicker Wil Lutz got the scoring started on the opening drive of the game, nailing a field goal from 28 yards out to take an early 3-0 lead.
The Bills then responded with a long scoring drive of their own, ending with a Josh Allen four-yard passing touchdown to Mecole Hardman for a 7-3 lead.
Buffalo forced a three-and-out on Denver’s next possession, but gave the ball right back with Alex Singleton forcing a fumble from James Cook on the ensuing drive.
Cook has now fumbled seven times this season, the most among any other running back in the National Football League.
Nix would then find offensive tackle Frank Crum, who reported as an eligible receiver prior to the snap, on a seven-yard touchdown to go up 10-7, but Bills kicker Matt Prater tied the game on the next drive with a 33-yard field goal.
The second-year passer responded with another passing score, this time to Lil’jordan Humphrey on a 29-yard touchdown, as the Broncos went up 17-10 with under a minute remaining in the half.
Buffalo would then opt to run a play instead of kneeling to end off the first half, resulting in a fumble from Allen to set up Denver in field goal range.
Lutz would convert on the 50-yard attempt, and Denver headed back to the locker room with a 20-10 lead after scoring 10 points in the final 22 seconds of the half.
Nix threw for 150 passing yards with two touchdowns, also adding 29 yards on the ground, while Allen recorded 81 passing yards for a touchdown and a fumble.
The Bills are looking to return to AFC Championship for the second consecutive year after falling to the Kansas City Chiefs last season, while the Broncos are aiming for their first appearance in the conference championship since 2015.
Buffalo will get the football to begin the second half after deferring to Denver to begin the game.
