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Elam Boots Winner

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By JOHN WAWROW, The Associated Press

Published: September 10, 2007

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - In his 15 NFL seasons, Jason Elam had never missed three field goals in one game.

The Denver Broncos kicker wasn't about to start a new trend.

Elam and the Broncos field goal unit scrambled onto the field to convert a 42-yard attempt just as time ran out, lifting Denver to a 15-14 season-opening win against the stunned and injury-depleted Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

'I'm really happy and thankful I got a chance to redeem myself there,' said Elam, who had missed a 43-yard attempt three minutes earlier. He also had a 50-yarder sail wide left in the third quarter.

Maybe it was good Elam had little time to think about the final kick.

The Broncos were out of timeouts when Jay Cutler hit Javon Walker for an 11-yard catch with 14 seconds left, leading to a mad scramble onto the field. Broncos holder Todd Sauerbrun got the ball down with 1 second left.

'I'm going to look back at this game down the road and this is going to be one of my favorites,' said Elam, who has scored more points for one team than anyone else in NFL history. 'Out of all the kicks I've had, I've never had a scenario like that.'

The Bills lost three defensive starters to serious injuries: free safety Ko Simpson (broken left ankle); cornerback Jason Webster (broken forearm); and linebacker Coy Wire (sprained knee). Wire was starting in place of injured starter Keith Ellison, who's out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain.

Still, credit the Bills banged-up defense for keeping the game so close.

Denver outgained the Bills in yards, an eye-popping 470-184, first downs, 23-13, and had a six-minute edge in time of possession.

'What can I say, these are the types of games that drive you crazy,' Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. 'We have to tie up some loose ends, but it's nice to get out with a victory.'
Travis Henry had 139 yards rushing in his Broncos debut, playing against his former team.

The Bills scored on Roscoe Parrish's 74-yard punt return and Marshawn Lynch's 23-yard run.

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