Broncos-Bills first quarter update: A defensive battle in Buffalo

After President Donald Trump made disparaging comments about NFL players kneeling this weekend, half the league took a knee today - including a sizable chunk of Denver Broncos players. Mission accomplished? Derp.

With the Buffalo Bills not being a very good team, the stadium was surprisingly orange for this game.

The Bills won the toss and elected to put their defense on the field to start the game. With the protesting over, the real game action began.

After a rough first series and a three and out for the Broncos, the Bills defense asserted itself in a big way to start the game. However, the Broncos defense also asserted itself in a big way after a run stop for a loss and a Von Miller sack to force a third and 17. The Bills would punt after their own three and out.

The Broncos at least went in the right direction on the next drive as Jamaal Charles converted a third and short on an outside run, beating the linebacker to the edge.

Trevor Siemian went deep on the next play to Emmanuel Sanders for nearly thirty yards, getting the Broncos just outside scoring position at the Bills forty yard line. However, things fell apart quickly after that for the Broncos offense and they were forced to punt.

On their next possession, the Bills were able to setup a third and manageable, but the Broncos defense stood firm to force yet another punt.

The defensive battle appeared to be headed for a long, protracted affair as the Broncos continued to find themselves in third and long situations. Siemian was able to connect with Bennie Fowler III for a 20 yard gain to convert the first third and long on the next drive.

That catch got the offense going as Fowler nabbed another first down catch to get the Broncos down to the Bills 40-yard line again. Two plays later on third and nine, Siemian threw well short of the first down marker to Demaryius Thomas who was interfered with by the Bills defender for an automatic first down.

Siemian hit Sanders on a crossing route for 12-yards on the very next play to move the Broncos into Brandon McManus range. On third and three from the Bills 20-yard line, Siemian overthrew Cody Latimer near the end zone to end the drive.

McManus hit the field goal to put the Broncos up 3-0 over the Bills.