Quick answer
- Winner
- Buffalo Bills
- Final score
- Buffalo Bills 30–23 Denver Broncos
- Halftime
- Buffalo Bills 10–13 Denver Broncos at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- Tru Edwards
- Top passer
- J. Cutler
- Biggest EPA play
- (15:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass deep right to 22-F.Jackson to DEN 3 for 65 yards (32-D.…
- Game date
- 2008-12-21
Game summary
The Buffalo Bills beat the Denver Broncos 30–23 on 2008-12-21, overcoming Denver Broncos's 13–10 halftime lead. Tru Edwards posted a game-high +12.37 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Buffalo Bills | 0 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 30 |
 Denver Broncos | 10 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
BUFBuffalo Bills(10:38) 6-J.Cutler left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DEN-89-D.Graham was injured during the play.
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
(5:01) 5-M.Prater 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
(13:17) 5-M.Prater 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
(7:48) 9-R.Lindell 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
(:19) 23-M.Lynch left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
(9:58) 9-R.Lindell 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
(5:02) 9-R.Lindell 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
(:44) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
(12:50) 5-T.Edwards pass short left to 13-St.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
(11:08) 5-M.Prater 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
(9:00) 22-F.Jackson right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
DENDenver BroncosFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q1 10:38TD JCJ. CutlerPoints+6
- Yard line
- BUF 2
- Score
- 0-6
(10:38) 6-J.Cutler left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DEN-89-D.Graham was injured during the play.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q1 10:32XP Points+1
- Yard line
- BUF 2
- Score
- 0-7
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q1 5:01FG Points+3
- Yard line
- BUF 5
- Score
- 0-10
(5:01) 5-M.Prater 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q2 13:17FG Points+3
- Yard line
- BUF 12
- Score
- 0-13
(13:17) 5-M.Prater 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 7:48FG RLR. LindellPoints+3
- Yard line
- DEN 19
- Score
- 3-13
(7:48) 9-R.Lindell 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 0:19TD MLM. LynchPoints+6
- Yard line
- DEN 2
- Score
- 9-13
(:19) 23-M.Lynch left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 0:15XP RLR. LindellPoints+1
- Yard line
- DEN 2
- Score
- 10-13
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q3 9:58FG RLR. LindellPoints+3
- Yard line
- DEN 30
- Score
- 13-13
(9:58) 9-R.Lindell 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q3 5:02FG RLR. LindellPoints+3
- Yard line
- DEN 10
- Score
- 16-13
(5:02) 9-R.Lindell 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q3 0:44TD JCJ. CutlerPoints+6
- Yard line
- BUF 6
- Score
- 16-19
(:44) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q3 0:38XP Points+1
- Yard line
- BUF 2
- Score
- 16-20
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 12:50TD Tru EdwardsPoints+6
- Yard line
- DEN 3
- Score
- 22-20
(12:50) 5-T.Edwards pass short left to 13-St.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 12:47XP RLR. LindellPoints+1
- Yard line
- DEN 2
- Score
- 23-20
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
- DENDenver Broncos
Q4 11:08FG Points+3
- Yard line
- BUF 25
- Score
- 23-23
(11:08) 5-M.Prater 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 9:00TD FJF. JacksonPoints+6
- Yard line
- DEN 8
- Score
- 29-23
(9:00) 22-F.Jackson right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 8:54XP RLR. LindellPoints+1
- Yard line
- DEN 2
- Score
- 30-23
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1Tru Edwards · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +12.37 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
- 2J. Cutler · Denver Broncos · Passing · +8.36 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
- 3E. Royal · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.17 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play
- 4F. Jackson · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +5.42 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.81 EPA/play
- 5Derrick Graham · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.76 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.59 EPA/play
- 6B. Marshall · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.75 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
- 7E. Royal · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +4.29 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.29 EPA/play
- 8
Joe Reed · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.01 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Tru Edwards — BUF · Passing
Tru Edwards posted the highest total EPA (+12.37) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Buffalo Bills. Across 28 counted snaps, they averaged +0.44 EPA per play.
Tru Edwards's top snap (+5.05 EPA): (15:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass deep right to 22-F.Jackson to DEN 3 for 65 yards (32-D.Bly).
Quarterback report card
J. Cutler led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J. Cutler (Denver Broncos) · 50 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -1.4% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +8.36 total EPA
- Tru Edwards (Buffalo Bills) · 28 dropbacks · 60.7% completion · +3.6% CPOE · +0.44 EPA/play · +12.37 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Buffalo Bills | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.323 | +0.145 |
| Offensive success rate | 60.6% | 49.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.442 | +0.167 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.031 | +0.200 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.145 | -0.323 |
| Defensive success rate | 50.5% | 39.4% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, Buffalo Bills generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.32 vs +0.14), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Buffalo Bills: +0.32 EPA/play (98th percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
- Denver Broncos: +0.14 EPA/play (83rd percentile vs. 2008 team-game averages)
- Buffalo Bills: 10 drives, +22.94 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
- Denver Broncos: 10 drives, +13.24 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Denver Broncos — J. Cutler
- Buffalo Bills — M. Lynch
- Denver Broncos — J. Cutler
- Buffalo Bills — Tru Edwards
- Buffalo Bills — F. Jackson
Field goals
- Denver Broncos — Matt Prater
- Denver Broncos — Matt Prater
- Buffalo Bills — R. Lindell
- Buffalo Bills — R. Lindell
- Buffalo Bills — R. Lindell
- Denver Broncos — Matt Prater
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the BUF 2 (Q1 10:38) — (10:38) 6-J.Cutler left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DEN-89-D.Graham was injured during the play.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q1 10:32) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the BUF 5 (Q1 5:01) — (5:01) 5-M.Prater 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern..
The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 10–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the BUF 12 (Q2 13:17) — (13:17) 5-M.Prater 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the DEN 19 (Q2 7:48) — (7:48) 9-R.Lindell 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DEN 2 (Q2 0:19) — (:19) 23-M.Lynch left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 0:15) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman..
The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–6. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the DEN 30 (Q3 9:58) — (9:58) 9-R.Lindell 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the DEN 10 (Q3 5:02) — (5:02) 9-R.Lindell 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the BUF 6 (Q3 0:44) — (:44) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the BUF 2 (Q3 0:38) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern..
The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 14–3. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DEN 3 (Q4 12:50) — (12:50) 5-T.Edwards pass short left to 13-St.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 12:47) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the BUF 25 (Q4 11:08) — (11:08) 5-M.Prater 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DEN 8 (Q4 9:00) — (9:00) 22-F.Jackson right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 8:54) — 9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass deep right to 22-F.Jackson to DEN 3 for 65 yards (32-D.Bly).
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 9:00) — (9:00) 22-F.Jackson right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Denver Broncos (Q3 3:57) — (3:57) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right to 89-D.Graham to BUF 42 for 23 yards (28-L.McKelvin).
- Denver Broncos (Q4 5:42) — (5:42) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right intended for 15-B.Marshall INTERCEPTED by 59-K.Mitchell at BUF 1. 59-K.Mitchell to BUF 2 for 1 yard (15-B.Marshall).
- Denver Broncos (Q4 0:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass incomplete short middle to 14-B.Stokley (27-R.Corner).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass deep right to 22-F.Jackson to DEN 3 for 65 yards (32-D.Bly).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 6:31) — (6:31) 19-E.Royal left end to BUF 9 for 71 yards (24-T.McGee).
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 9:42) — (9:42) (Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass short left to 11-R.Parrish pushed ob at DEN 32 for 14 yards (36-J.Barrett). DEN-33-M.Manuel was injured during the play. PENALTY on DEN-92-E.Dumervil, Roughing the Pa
- Denver Broncos (Q3 3:57) — (3:57) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right to 89-D.Graham to BUF 42 for 23 yards (28-L.McKelvin).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 10:38 · BUF 2 · Score 0-6
(10:38) 6-J.Cutler left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. DEN-89-D.Graham was injured during the play. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 10:32 · BUF 2 · Score 0-7
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 5:01 · BUF 5 · Score 0-10
(5:01) 5-M.Prater 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 13:17 · BUF 12 · Score 0-13
(13:17) 5-M.Prater 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 7:48 · DEN 19 · Score 3-13
(7:48) 9-R.Lindell 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 0:19 · DEN 2 · Score 9-13
(:19) 23-M.Lynch left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 0:15 · DEN 2 · Score 10-13
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 9:58 · DEN 30 · Score 13-13
(9:58) 9-R.Lindell 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q3 5:02 · DEN 10 · Score 16-13
(5:02) 9-R.Lindell 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 0:44 · BUF 6 · Score 16-19
(:44) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 0:38 · BUF 2 · Score 16-20
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 12:50 · DEN 3 · Score 22-20
(12:50) 5-T.Edwards pass short left to 13-St.Johnson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 12:47 · DEN 2 · Score 23-20
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 11:08 · BUF 25 · Score 23-23
(11:08) 5-M.Prater 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-1-B.Kern. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 9:00 · DEN 8 · Score 29-23
(9:00) 22-F.Jackson right tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 8:54 · DEN 2 · Score 30-23
9-R.Lindell extra point is GOOD, Center-72-R.Neill, Holder-8-B.Moorman.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Buffalo Bills earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- Tru Edwards (Buffalo Bills) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Tru Edwards (BUF) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos on 2008-12-21?
The Buffalo Bills beat the Denver Broncos 30-23 in Week 16, 2008.
What was the score by quarter in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?
Q1: Buffalo Bills 0, Denver Broncos 10; Q2: Buffalo Bills 10, Denver Broncos 3; Q3: Buffalo Bills 6, Denver Broncos 7; Q4: Buffalo Bills 14, Denver Broncos 3; Final: Buffalo Bills 30, Denver Broncos 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?
Denver Broncos touchdown — J. Cutler (Q1 10:38) Buffalo Bills touchdown — M. Lynch (Q2 0:19) Denver Broncos touchdown — J. Cutler (Q3 0:44) Buffalo Bills touchdown — T. Edwards (Q4 12:50) Buffalo Bills touchdown — F. Jackson (Q4 9:00) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q1 5:01, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q2 13:17, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — R. Lindell (Q2 7:48, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — R. Lindell (Q3 9:58, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — R. Lindell (Q3 5:02, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — M. Prater (Q4 11:08, 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?
J. Cutler (Denver Broncos), 50.0% completion, -1.4% CPOE, +0.17 EPA per dropback, +8.36 total passing EPA. Tru Edwards (Buffalo Bills), 60.7% completion, +3.6% CPOE, +0.44 EPA per dropback, +12.37 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos?
Tru Edwards (Buffalo Bills) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.37 total EPA on Passing plays. across 28 snaps. Their top snap (+5.05 EPA): (15:00) (Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass deep right to 22-F.Jackson to DEN 3 for 65 yards (32-D.Bly)..
Was Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Buffalo Bills won 30-23 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Buffalo Bills
Entered 6-8 Now 7-8 W
Denver Broncos
Entered 8-6 Now 8-7 L
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