The Buffalo Bills got tricky Saturday with their season on the line.
The Bills trailed the Denver Broncos 30-27 with just over 30 seconds left in their Divisional Round matchup at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. Buffalo, facing 2nd-and-10 from their own territory, needed a big play to get closer to field goal range.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw a quick pass to Khalil Shakir for what would have been a modest gain. Rather than settle for four or five yards, Shakir lateraled to running back Ray Davis. The misdirection allowed Davis to zoom past the first-down line for a 24-yard gain.
It was a classic hook-and-ladder play that worked to perfection.
Hook-and-ladder for a big gain!
— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026
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The trick play got the Bills to the 32-yard line, setting up kicker Matt Prater with a 50-yard field goal to tie the game in the final seconds.
MATT PRATER RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE TO TIE IT
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Bills head coach Sean McDermott was not afraid to get in his bag of tricks with his team’s season on the line, and the gamble paid off.
