Game story
In Week 14 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-12-07, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 24–17 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
K. Orton (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with -3.53 total EPA, and -0.5% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, S. Watkins (Buffalo Bills) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.25 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-8.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (11:44) 18-P.Manning pass deep middle intended for 10-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 20-C.Graham at BUF 20. 20-C.Graham to DEN 20 for 60 yards (88-D.Thomas). PENALTY on BUF-95-K.Williams, Offensive Holding,
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
| Denver Broncos | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 S. Watkins · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +6.25 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
- 2 C. Hogan · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.88 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
- 3 W. Welker · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.45 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 4 J. Thompson · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +3.23 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
- 5 M. Goodwin · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +1.24 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
- 6 K. Orton · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +1.05 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
- 7 S. Chandler · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.05 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
- 8 E. Sanders · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +0.78 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
S. Watkins — BUF · Receiving
S. Watkins posted the highest total EPA (+6.25) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Buffalo Bills's efficiency. Across 12 counted snaps, they averaged +0.52 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.77 EPA) came from Buffalo Bills: (5:07) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass deep left intended for 10-R.Woods INTERCEPTED by 25-C.Harris at DEN 2. 25-C.Harris pushed ob at DEN 40 for 38 yards (35-B.Brown).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Denver Broncos — C. Anderson
- Denver Broncos — C. Anderson
- Denver Broncos — C. Anderson
- Buffalo Bills — C. Hogan (K. Orton pass)
- Buffalo Bills — K. Orton
Field goals
- Buffalo Bills — D. Carpenter
- Denver Broncos — C. Barth
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the BUF 6 (Q1 47:48) — (2:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 47:43) — 1-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the DEN 26 (Q2 41:55) — (11:55) 2-D.Carpenter 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q2 33:33); Denver Broncos added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q2 33:26) — 1-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the BUF 3 (Q3 27:04) — (12:04) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q3 27:01) — 1-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the BUF 32 (Q3 16:11) — (1:11) 1-C.Barth 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 14–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DEN 14 (Q4 10:52) — (10:52) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass short right to 15-C.Hogan for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 10:46) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q4 0:55) — (:55) 18-K.Orton up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 0:55) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 41:44) — (11:44) 18-P.Manning pass deep middle intended for 10-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 20-C.Graham at BUF 20. 20-C.Graham to DEN 20 for 60 yards (88-D.Thomas). PENALTY on BUF-95-K.Williams, Offensive Holding,
- Denver Broncos (Q1 50:35) — (5:35) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep left to 83-W.Welker to BUF 23 for 38 yards (25-D.Searcy).
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 50:40) — (5:40) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass incomplete short right to 84-S.Chandler (54-B.Marshall).
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 57:26) — (12:26) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass short left to 14-S.Watkins to BUF 43 for 13 yards (29-B.Roby). FUMBLES (29-B.Roby), RECOVERED by DEN-26-R.Moore at BUF 46. 26-R.Moore to BUF 46 for no gain (14-S.Watk
- Denver Broncos (Q2 35:43) — (5:43) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass incomplete short left to 10-E.Sanders. Penalty on BUF-24-S.Gilmore, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. PENALTY on BUF-55-J.Hughes, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 ya
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 20:07) — (5:07) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass deep left intended for 10-R.Woods INTERCEPTED by 25-C.Harris at DEN 2. 25-C.Harris pushed ob at DEN 40 for 38 yards (35-B.Brown).
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 25:15) — (10:15) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass short middle intended for 84-S.Chandler INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Marshall at BUF 33. 54-B.Marshall to BUF 33 for no gain (84-S.Chandler).
- Buffalo Bills (Q3 20:33) — (5:33) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass deep left to 14-S.Watkins pushed ob at DEN 19 for 35 yards (29-B.Roby).
- Denver Broncos (Q2 41:44) — (11:44) 18-P.Manning pass deep middle intended for 10-E.Sanders INTERCEPTED by 20-C.Graham at BUF 20. 20-C.Graham to DEN 20 for 60 yards (88-D.Thomas). PENALTY on BUF-95-K.Williams, Offensive Holding,
Quarterback report card
K.Orton led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- K.Orton (Buffalo Bills) · 63 dropbacks · 60.3% completion · -0.5% CPOE · -0.06 EPA/play · -3.53 total EPA
- P.Manning (Denver Broncos) · 23 dropbacks · 60.9% completion · +7.3% CPOE · -0.19 EPA/play · -4.35 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Buffalo Bills | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.056 | +0.003 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.6% | 50.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.056 | -0.189 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.131 | +0.030 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.003 | +0.056 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.0% | 59.4% |
By the numbers
Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.00 vs -0.06), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, -5.38 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Denver Broncos: 11 drives, +0.18 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Denver Broncos leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- S. Watkins (Buffalo Bills) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- P. Manning (DEN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 47:48 · BUF 6 · Score 0-6
(2:48) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson right guard for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 47:43 · BUF 2 · Score 0-7
1-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 41:55 · DEN 26 · Score 3-7
(11:55) 2-D.Carpenter 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 33:33 · BUF 1 · Score 3-13
(3:33) (Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. T - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 33:26 · BUF 2 · Score 3-14
1-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 27:04 · BUF 3 · Score 3-20
(12:04) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 22-C.Anderson up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 27:01 · BUF 2 · Score 3-21
1-C.Barth extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 16:11 · BUF 32 · Score 3-24
(1:11) 1-C.Barth 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 10:52 · DEN 14 · Score 9-24
(10:52) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass short right to 15-C.Hogan for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 10:46 · DEN 2 · Score 10-24
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 0:55 · DEN 1 · Score 16-24
(:55) 18-K.Orton up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 0:55 · DEN 2 · Score 17-24
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?
The Denver Broncos beat the Buffalo Bills 24-17 in Week 14, 2014 on 2014-12-07.
What was the final score of Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?
The final score was Buffalo Bills 17, Denver Broncos 24 (BUF 17-24 DEN) in Week 14, 2014 on 2014-12-07.
What was the score by quarter in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?
Q1: Buffalo Bills 0, Denver Broncos 7; Q2: Buffalo Bills 3, Denver Broncos 7; Q3: Buffalo Bills 0, Denver Broncos 10; Q4: Buffalo Bills 14, Denver Broncos 0; Final: Buffalo Bills 17, Denver Broncos 24.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?
Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Anderson (Q1 47:48) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Anderson (Q2 33:33) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Anderson (Q3 27:04) Buffalo Bills touchdown — C. Hogan (K. Orton pass) (Q4 10:52) Buffalo Bills touchdown — K. Orton (Q4 0:55) Buffalo Bills field goal — D. Carpenter (Q2 41:55, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — C. Barth (Q3 16:11, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?
K. Orton (Buffalo Bills), 60.3% completion, -0.5% CPOE, -0.06 EPA per dropback, -3.53 total passing EPA. P. Manning (Denver Broncos), 60.9% completion, +7.3% CPOE, -0.19 EPA per dropback, -4.35 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?
S. Watkins (Buffalo Bills) led the game in total EPA with +6.25 on receiving plays. across 12 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.77 EPA): (5:07) (Shotgun) 18-K.Orton pass deep left intended for 10-R.Woods INTERCEPTED by 25-C.Harris at DEN 2. 25-C.Harris pushed ob at DEN 40 for 38 yards (35-B.Brown).. The biggest win-probability swing was -8.0%.
Was Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Denver Broncos won 24-17 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Buffalo Bills
Entered 7-5 Now 7-6 L
Denver Broncos
Entered 9-3 Now 10-3 W
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