Buffalo Bills hang on — barely — in a 14-9 win over the New York Giants

Associated Press
Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 12:03 a.m. | Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 12:03 a.m.

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Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (7) breaks up a pass to New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (12) on the final play of the game in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills defeated the Giants 14-9.

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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott cheers on his players at the end of the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday Oct. 15, 2023.

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) tries to break free from New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, left, during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.

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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll watches play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Deonte Harty (11) crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.

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Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris, center, is hit by New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II (97) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. Harris was injured on the play.

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New York Giants kicker Graham Gano (9) is congratulated after kicking a field goal against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Josh Allen patiently oversaw two lengthy second-half scoring drives, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Quinton Morris with 3:58 remaining, and the Buffalo Bills defeated the undermanned but gritty New York Giants 14-9 on Sunday night.

What was anticipated to be a Bills blowout turned into a ground-it-out, yard-by-yard, chippy and occasionally sloppy thriller that wasn’t decided until the final play, and on an untimed down.

Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s pass into the end zone glanced off Darren Waller’s finger tips facing first-and-goal from the 1. New York got an extra chance after linebacker Terrel Bernard was flagged for defensive interference on a pass intended for Waller as time expired on third-and-5 from Buffalo’s 10

The Bills (4-2) hung on, but barely, in outing they overcame being shut out in the first half of a game for the first time since a mean-nothing 2019 season finale — a 13-6 loss to the New York Jets, in which Buffalo rested Allen and its starters after having already clinched a playoff berth. And Buffalo overcame two first-half turnovers — receiver Gabe Davis’ lost fumble and an Allen interception — which led to the Giants pulling ahead on Graham Gano hitting 29- and 43-yard field goals.

The Giants (1-5) lost their fourth straight in a game they ended each half with a drive stalling at Buffalo’s 1.