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Broncos-Bills third quarter update: Denver can’t get out of their own way

The Denver Broncos head into the fourth quarter down 20-16 to the Buffalo Bills.

NFL: Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills received the ball first to open the second half. Todd Davis was able to sack Tyrod Taylor on the first play after he was flushed out of the pocket by multiple breakdowns in pass protection.

On third down and nine, Von Miller was hit from behind with a block in the back as he was about to sack Taylor on third down. Miller absolutely embarrassing the right tackle on the play. The Bills would punt after a three and out to start the second half.

Isaiah McKenzie was able to field the punt and burst through the hole for a solid 16-yard punt return to give the Denver Broncos offense solid starting position for their opening second half drive.

Trevor Siemian hit Virgil Green on his first attempt after rolling out to his right for a 13-yard gain. From the Bills, 45-yard line Jamaal Charles took over bursting through a hole for a 20-yard gain to set the Broncos up just outside the red zone.

After a false start, Siemian got those yards back and more with a quick pass to Bennie Fowler III for 14-yards. On second and inches, C.J. Anderson was stuffed short. So on third and one, the Broncos went to Andy Janovich with the quick inside handoff for the first down.

Two plays later on third and twelve after another false start penalty (four in the game to this point), Siemian hit Anderson on a swing pass for a five yard gain and a Brandon McManus field goal attempt.

Broncos 16, Bills 13.

Taylor went deep to his tight end for a 30-yard gain to open up their next drive. Already nearing field goal range, the Bills went to the ground with LeSean McCoy on the next drive.

Jordan Matthews hauled in the next pass for a 25-yard gain and a first and goal opportunity beating Chris Harris Jr. in coverage. Taylor fired a pass to Charles Clay for the touchdown on the next play.

The Bills scored quick against the Broncos defense on that drive.

Bills 20, Broncos 16.

That was a four-play 69 yard drive for the Bills. You do not see that often against the Broncos defense.

The Broncos answered by finding themselves in a 2nd and 23 at their own 12 yard line. Siemian, for some reason, just threw it up for grabs and the Bills intercepted.

Von Miller wrecked the first running play by the Bills, getting a holding call on Richie Incognito. After a short two-yard gain, Taylor misfired on second down. On third and 18, Taylor was sacked by Shelby Harris to knock the Bills out of field goal range for an impressive defensive stand by Denver.

The Broncos defense was unable to respond with any amount of energy, but Siemian was able to scramble for the first down taking a big hit to keep the drive alive. That got them out of the shadow of their own end zone, but a fake punt attempt failed mightily giving the Bills great field position.