The Broncos couldn't have pulled off a better fake punt.
Unfortunately for them, it was all in vain.
Early in the second quarter of Sunday's wild-card game against the Bills, with the Broncos down by three points and facing a fourth-and-8 from their own 43-yard line, coach Sean Payton pulled a trick play from his back pocket.
Former Giants punter Riley Dixon stepped forward as if to punt, but threw a punt to a wide-open Marvin Mims Jr. for a 15-yard gain and a first down.
However, the Broncos were unable to take advantage on a new down at Buffalo's own 42-yard line, and Dixon punted four plays later, with none other than Mims Jr. bringing the ball down at the 1-yard line.
Denver got off to a good start, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix throwing a 43-yard touchdown pass to Troy Franklin on the first drive of the game, giving the visitors a 7-0 lead.
However, the Bills dominated at Orchard Park, largely suppressing the Broncos' offense and entering halftime with a 10-7 lead.
Broncos kicker Will Lutz had a chance to tie the game just before halftime with a 50-yard field goal attempt, but his shot hit the right upright and missed the crossbar.
On the Bills' first drive, Tyler Bass made a 26-yard field goal to pull within 7-3, and running back James Cook completed a 13-play, 81-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. He scored to give the Bills the lead. .
