Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller took responsibility for a strange unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that allowed the Buffalo Bills to put the game away on Sunday.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the Broncos down 23-16, it looked like Denver had made a third down stop that would force the Bills to punt. However, Miller was hit with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty for an interaction with Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor that gave Buffalo a new set of downs.
To many observers, the penalty looked ridiculous, as it appeared like Miller and Taylor were having a light-hearted moment.
Von Miller just got a penalty for this…….. pic.twitter.com/gk5sn91BRp
— Chuck Naso (@ChuckNaso) September 24, 2017
The Bills used the new set of downs to drive down for a field goal to make it a two-score game, and Miller took responsibility afterward.
Von Miller falling on sword for penalty: "I killed the game today. … I've just got to be better than that, and I will be better than that"
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 24, 2017
It’s good that Miller is taking the responsibilities, but where some unsportsmanlike calls are quite obvious, this looked like two guys who knew each other pretty well having a little fun. It was, at the very least, an extremely harsh call to extend a drive.
