Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y.
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FINAL | Bills 31, Broncos 7
The score is ugly. The loss hurts.
But before we go all doom and gloom let’s add some perspective here.
At the start of the season, everyone but the Broncos agreed that this was a rebuilding season. The idea that Denver would even be in this game in mid-January felt like a longshot at best in August with a rookie QB and a collection of high-cost veterans elsewhere.
Then the Broncos made a run after 0-2 and got in the tournament. And Bo Nix showed himself to be completely unafraid of the moment.
Change a couple of plays here or there — including a questionable fourth-down TD catch for the Bills — and this might’ve been a game in the fourth quarter.
That said, it’s now clear what the Broncos must do to take the next step in the offseason: Get playmakers on offense. Multiple playmakers. Guys who will make the catches that Nix’s receivers didn’t on third down today. And running backs who can add another dimension to an offense that didn’t have many in Buffalo.
If we’re grading today’s effort, it’s a C-minus at best. But if we’re grading the season, it’s an A-plus — of that there is no doubt.
The Broncos achieved the most important thing they could: They found their quarterback. And, even better, they got him to the playoffs.
The future remains bright in apounty, regardless of how dark today ended up being.
MORE BRONCOS COVERAGE
- Turning point: Bills QB Josh Allen’s controversial fourth-down touchdown pass sinks Broncos for good in Buffalo.
- Broncos report card: Offense fizzles, Vance Joseph’s defense overwhelmed in blowout wild card loss to Buffalo.
- Broncos’ Pat Surtain II on Josh Allen’s fourth-down touchdown pass: “I thought it was out.”
- The Broncos’ 2024 season is over. Here’s an early look at their 2025 opponents.
- Broncos four downs: Buffalo delivers Sean Payton, Denver season knockout and clinic on how to win in the playoffs.
Fourth-quarter updates
Turnover (1:56 p.m.): Denver turns the ball over on downs. Mitch Trubisky in for Buffalo at quarterback now. — Nguyen
Field goal, Bills (1:48 p.m.): Bills tack on a field goal. We’re just playing out the string from here on out. — Schubert
Over? (1:36 p.m.): Tony Romo: I’m not saying it’s over, but it’s getting close.
Tony, it’s over. — Schubert
Turnover (1:30 p.m.): Hate the fourth-down play call from Sean Payton there. Play-action to the boundary. — Schubert
Sean Payton livid with Troy Franklin there after the fourth-down failure. — Gabriel
Another missed play (1:28 p.m.): Another opportunity missed by the Broncos receivers. Nobody making a play for Bo. — Schubert
Never say never (1:25 p.m.): Ah, the eternal struggle when you’re down 20-plus on the road in the fourth quarter: Pride vs. Cancun. — Keeler
Math tells us the Broncos probably have 2-3 more possessions after this in the best-case scenario. So a touchdown is a must right here. — Schubert
Bo-lieve (1:24 p.m.): Broncos get their first two first downs of the second half on back-to-back plays. Time to let Bo cook. — Schubert
Touchdown, Bills (1:18 p.m.): TOUCHDOWN, Curtis Samuel. And that’s game.
Josh Allen had time to loft that to a wide open Samuel. Throw in a missed tackle on the back end, and you’ve got a back-breaker. It’s 28-7 Bills one snap into the fourth quarter. — Schubert
Well, #Broncos should benefit from this playoff experience. It shows where they need to make up ground. You can’t overcome mistakes against Buffalo at home, where the Bills are undefeated. That will do it. Broncos trail 28-7 with 14:49 left after 55-yard scoring pass to Curtis Samuel. But being real 7 points is not going to cut it. They have to add offensive weapons this offseason. — Renck
Surtain moved outside just enough with the motion and the Broncos didn’t do a good job handling the Bills’ receivers out of the bunch there on the Curtis Samuel 55-yard TD.
Those kinds of blown coverages haven’t happened to Denver much this year. That’s a bad time for it. — Gabriel
Third-quarter analysis — Bills 21, Broncos 7
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Bills now are giving the Broncos a clinic on what it takes to win in the postseason. Run the ball, control the clock, don’t make the big mistake and make plays for your QB when they’re there to be made.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Gonna lose that Diet Coke bet to Troy. Javonte Williams leading in Broncos carries so far with seven — for 29 yards. As a team, Denver’s 12 for 59. Meanwhile, James Cook has 22-116. Think this team could use one of those guys?
Matt Schubert, sports editor: If it wasn’t obvious before today, it certainly is now. Denver needs upgrades at ILB, WR, TE and RB. So, still a pretty big to-do list for George Paton and Co.
Third-quarter updates
Time of possession (1:12 p.m.): Broncos’ second-half possessions:
- 3-5-punt, 1:30 TOP
- 3-(-1)-punt, 2:00 TOP
Total TOP: Buffalo 30:11, Denver 13:43. — Gabriel
Three-and-out (1:10 p.m.): Bo’s had about three of those — as in, “almost a tipped pick into coverage” — today. The fourth one could be a pick-6 the other way. — Keeler
Three-and-out. That might be the final nail. — Schubert
Run game (1:08 p.m.): The Broncos run game just has not gotten it done today. If Denver is gonna have a chance, it’s on Nix. — Schubert
Close? (1:04 p.m.): How close are the Broncos?
A couple of third-down drops. That insane fourth-down touchdown pass from Josh Allen.
Change one of those and this is a completely different game right now. — Schubert
Two-point conversion (1:04 p.m.): Tack on a two-point conversion and the Broncos are down by two touchdowns. — Schubert
Ain’t gonna win many road playoff games scoring 7, kids. That might do it. — Keeler
Touchdown, Bills (1:02 p.m.): Talk about a BRUTAL swing. The Broncos were centimeters from getting a crucial fourth-down stop. Instead, it’s about to be a 13-point game. Feels like that could be it for Denver. — Schubert
WELP. — Keeler
Just huge swing. And that could be game. — Renck
Touchdown? (12:59 p.m.): Feet looked out. — Keeler
Is that a catch? Hard to get closer than that on a TD call. — Schubert
Zach Allen (12:57 p.m.): Zach Allen: 2 sacks, 1 PBU. Big man bringing it on the big stage. — Keeler
Nasty hit (12:53 p.m.): It appears even Brandon Jones thought that was a penalty.
Really tough on second-and-long to get flagged for a personal foul on a pass that really had no chance. — Schubert
Man, scary hit there.
Shows you how fast hits like that happen that Josh Allen appeared to be upset with himself for putting Ray Davis in that situation and also Brandon Jones patted his chest and knew it was a penalty.
Obviously no malicious intent, but still a penalty and a scary play. — Gabriel
That was as much on Josh Allen hanging his dude out to dry as it was Brandon Jones. Thankfully, Davis is up. — Keeler
Josh Allen led WR right into Brandon Jones. Personal foul for shot at defense-less WR. You want safety to be aggressive there, but walk the line of avoiding the penalty. Bills on the move again. — Renck
Hold (12:51 p.m.): Dalton Kincaid with a hold on first down. The Broncos need to make him pay for that. — Schubert
Offensive force (12:50 p.m.): Have the Bills had a three-and-out yet? Feels like no. — Schubert
At least three first downs on every drive for Buffalo so far. First four drives:
- Four first downs, FG
- Six first downs, TD
- Three first downs, Punt
- Three first downs, FG
— Gabriel
Numbers (12:49 p.m.): Rushing stats today:
- Buffalo: 28 for 162 and a TD
- Denver: 12 for 49
— Gabriel
No catch (12:46 p.m.): Bo Nix and Troy Franklin couldn’t connect again. Nix hit Franklin in the hands, but Franklin couldn’t pull it in. — Nguyen
Broncos offense remains boom or bust.
Brutal time for a three-and-out on their first possession of the second half. — Gabriel
Again, Troy Franklin has to catch that.
That’s now two plays on third down that Denver receivers failed to make. — Schubert
In a game with no margin for error, Troy Franklin has to catch that pass. Broncos’ three-and-out exposes an already vulnerable defense. Broncos have had two drops and a missed FG today. Hard to win on the road that way. — Renck
No gain (12:44 p.m.): Jaleel McLaughlin doesn’t have it today. Time to move on. — Schubert
Broncos at this point hoping their hot-hand running back isn’t No. 23 in street clothes. — Gabriel
Field goal, Bills (12:40 p.m.): Buffalo settles for a 27-yard field goal. Bills 13, Broncos 7 with 10:03 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
It’s 13-7 Bills with the Broncos about to get the ball for the first time in the second half. I’m guessing Sean Payton would’ve taken that pregame. — Schubert
Sacked (12:39 p.m.): Broncos defense was a massive stop on third and goal, and the second sack of the day for Denver. That’s a coverage sack, folks. — Schubert
Zach Allen and D.J. Jones on that sack. — Nguyen
Allen and DJ Jones split sack. Halt drive. Josh Allen wanted a PI/holding call. Huge stop. Broncos hanging around. Need lengthy drive to play keepaway from Allen and Bills’ run game. — Renck
Cook cooks (12:37 p.m.): ANOTHER chunk run for Cook, who is now over 100 yards and the Bills are inside the 10. This is exactly what the Broncos wanted to avoid. — Schubert
Big play (12:36 p.m.): Chunk play to Dawson Knox on play-action and the Bills are in scoring position three plays into the second half. — Schubert
Can’t dial up that route to Knox without plenty of time to throw.
Bills OL putting on a clinic all around today. — Gabriel
Running strong (12:36 p.m.): Two runs, first down. — Schubert
Time of possession (12:36 p.m.): Sean Payton to Tracy Wolfson: “We played good red zone defense. Obviously we lost the time of possession …
“The most important statistic for us here in the second half is time of possession and red zone offense and defense.” — Gabriel
Position (12:35 p.m.): Rough back-to-back plays for special teams. Bills will start the second half in great field position.
And the Bills go right back to the run game on first down for 7. — Schubert
Penalties (12:34 p.m.): A small stat of hope, and one Denver’s gotta keep up: The Bills were flagged four times for 15 yards in the first half; Denver just 1 flag for 7 penalty yards —Mims’ penalty. Gotta play smart. — Keeler
Halftime analysis — Bills 10, Broncos 7
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Something to watch if the Broncos win but either way, really. The play rookie OLB Jonah Elliss was injured on, he took a massive blow to his right shoulder from Dion Dawkins.
Elliss missed the end of his final year at Utah and most of draft prep after having labrum surgery on his right shoulder.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos going into halftime down 10-7 feels like a win, given how they’ve been bullied in the run game.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: BOINNNNNG! Lutz bonks it off the right upright, and the Bills take a 10-7 lead into the break. Still … despite a crazy yardage disparity, you’re in this thing. All you could ask of Nix making his playoff debut is to keep this thing within shouting distance — as in, a one-score game — in the fourth quarter. Huge 15 coming up, kids.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Bills have 189 yards, but only 10 points. Broncos will take that all day. If Denver can slow the rush and run a little more they can pull off the upset. They have given themselves a chance by staying in the fight.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: The Broncos got exactly what they needed from Bo Nix in his first half of playoff football. But if the Denver run defense doesn’t get its act together, it will just be a nice building block for next season.
Second-quarter updates
Just missed (12:19 p.m.): DOINK. Tough break.
For everything the Broncos did right in the first half, it’s a three-point Bills lead at halftime.
Worth mentioning: Without that Marvin Mims Jr. penalty, that’s inside of 50 and probably good for Lutz. — Schubert
Lutz clanks it off right upright. Broncos trail 10-7 at half. That hurts. But Broncos achieved goal of staying in the fight. — Renck
Broncos’ K Wil Lutz really had only missed one makeable kick this year, from 50 in the rain against the Jets. His other two misses were from 60 at Arrowhead Stadium before the half and the block at the end of that game.
Tough turn of events for Denver there. — Gabriel
Moving the ball (12:18 p.m.): Lucas Krull likely got away with a hold there. But you need breaks on the road. Lutz on for 50-yard attempt. — Renck
Big-time throw from Bo Nix. Broncos can tie this thing going into halftime. — Schubert
Heck of a throw on the run from Bo Nix to Courtland Sutton to get the Broncos a FG attempt at the end of the half. — Gabriel
Penalty (12:16 p.m.): Broncos have a shot at points. Would’ve had a better shot without that penalty. — Schubert
Kerfuffle (12:08 p.m.): We got a donnybrook …
Marvin Mims gets rocked, then called for personal foul. Can’t lose your head on this stage. — Keeler
Mack Hollins just delivered a mean hit on Marvin Mims Jr. Wow. — McFadden
Oh, buddy. Bad penalty from the Broncos. — Schubert
Mims gets crushed. Then gets penalty for shoving. He was shoving the player he thought stood over him after the hit. Weak call. But it always goes that way with second guy into the mix gets penalized. — Renck
That could have been worse for Denver — Mims did a heck of a job to hang onto the football — but it was still quite bad. — Gabriel
Punting (12:05 p.m.): Broncos force first Bills punt. You know if they actually punt it on fourth-and-8. — Renck
Broncos get off the field. The first punt of the day for Buffalo coming as the two-minute warning hits. — Schubert
Broncos offense has been good in these end-of-half situations this year — well, minus the Chargers game.
Buffalo gets the ball to start the second half. Big sequence coming up here. — Gabriel
Sacked (12:02 p.m.): Allen on Allen crime, there. And a welcome one for the Orange and Blue. — Keeler
Sack Allen on Josh Allen. Broncos desperately needed that. Third-and-21. Denver needs to get off the field. — Renck
Josh Allen sacked for the second time in the last eight games. — Schubert
Zach Allen had 8.5 sacks and led NFL DTs in pressures. And was a fourth alternate for the Pro Bowl. Crazy.
Fortunately, AP got it right and Allen was named second-team All-Pro. — Gabriel
Cook cooking (12:01 p.m.): It’s now 13-4 in favor of the Bills for first downs. And Buffalo has converted five straight third downs.
Buffalo now has 128 rush yards … in the second quarter. — Schubert
Bills punter Sam Martin is the loneliest dude at Highmark. P.J. Locke might be second-loneliest, given his distance from all the action in front of him today. — Keeler
Bills are 5-for-7 on third down. And sometimes don’t even get there. They are pushing Broncos around. Bills have run 35 plays… Broncos can’t get off the field. They have run double plays of Broncos. — Renck
Josh Allen (12 p.m.): Josh Allen is too good. — McFadden
You can defend a play well, and then Josh Allen does that to get another first down.
It’s now 12-4 in favor of the Bills for first downs. And Buffalo has converted five straight third downs. — Schubert
Physical play (11:58 a.m.): Bonitto escapes personal foul after getting into shoving match with Alec Anderson. Broncos defense has to start matching Buffalo’s physicality. Inside linebackers have to play better. — Renck
The Broncos appear to be hellbent on not giving up big plays. — Schubert
Nik Bonitto fortunate to not get a ticky tack personal foul there for shoving 70 in the back. Sean Payton said he showed the team a reel of little stuff that makes the difference in playoff games. That’s the kind of thing that counts. — Gabriel
Running wild (11:57 a.m.): Bills immediately get out of danger with an 8-yard run by Cook. The Broncos run defense is getting gashed right now. — Schubert
Punt (11:52 a.m.): Payton makin’ Josh Allen work for it, at least. But a 99-yard Bills drive wouldn’t shock anybody at this point. — Keeler
You really want to get points after breaking out that fake punt. Instead, it’s punter to Marvin Mims for the second time with a downed punt at the 1. — Schubert
No points for the Broncos there but they got the defense some rest and the special teams unit made two terrific plays — the fake punt and then Mims downing the ball at the 1-yard line. — Gabriel
Trick play (11:49 a.m.): Somewhere Mike Westhoff is smiling. Dixon fake punt and throw to Mims. — Renck
OR … not. — Schubert
Sean Payton been savin’ that one. Why not? — Keeler
No conversion (11:48 a.m.): Nix’s throw on third down was behind Sutton. Denver is forced to punt for the second straight time. — McFadden
Bo Nix misses on third down, but Courtland Sutton’s drop killed that drive. — Schubert
Just missed (11:47 a.m.): Courtland Sutton has to come up with that ball. The margin for error is that small. — Schubert
Drop by Sutton. Gotta have those plays in a playoff game. — Renck
Sutton gotta make that catch, especially in a game like this. — McFadden
Running time (11:47 a.m.): Two runs, Badie followed by Mims, and the Broncos get a much-needed first down. — Schubert
Badie time (11:46 a.m.): Tyler Badie’s first carry since the Jets game goes for 7 yards. — Renck
Tyler Badie time. — Gabriel
Tyler Badie (Bidet?) already on the field. — Schubert
Injury update (11:45 a.m.): Taron Johnson back on the field for the Bills. — Schubert
Badie watch (11:44 a.m.): Still waiting for Sean Payton to live up to his pregame promise to CBS and unleash the power of Tyler Badie. — Keeler
Injury (11:42 a.m.): Broncos rookie OLB Jonah Elliss is questionable with a shoulder injury. — McFadden
Touchdown, Bills (11:41 a.m.): And just like that Buffalo’s got the lead. — Gabriel
The Broncos defense got brutalized on that drive. Either that changes, or this game is a wrap. — Schubert
Since the Troy Franklin TD:
- First downs: Buffalo 10, Denver 0
- Yards: Buffalo 140, Denver 5
- Points: Buffalo 10, Denver 0
— Gabriel
James Cook punches in a 5-yard touchdown run to cap off a 13-play, 81-yard drive for Buffalo. Bills 10, Broncos 7 with 12:57 to go in the first half. — Nguyen
Sweep (11:40 a.m.): Josh Allen on a sweep. Just so hard to stop. — Schubert
Josh Allen has 28 rushing yards. The Broncos have 11 as a team. Not … good. — Keeler
Third down (11:39 a.m.): Big third down coming up here. Get another red zone stop and the Broncos are in fine position.
The one issue: That time of possession will start being a problem if the Broncos offense can’t stay on the field. — Schubert
Running wild (11:38 a.m.): It’s at least 5 yards a pop every time the Bills run the ball. — Schubert
First-quarter analysis — Broncos 7, Bills 3
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos defensive outing feels a little bit like the Cincinnati game so far. No qualms with the effort and no big plays so far, but an all-world QB moving the ball. Tough way to hold up for 60 minutes, but so far so good for Vance Joseph’s group.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos lead 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. But man, Buffalo is giving Denver all sorts of trouble in the run game. The Bills totaled 79 yards on the ground to start the game. Not good.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: The Bills’ offense can do what it wants, when it wants, when it comes to moving the ball. Gonna come down to what the Broncos just did — red zone stops. Or takeaways. Oh, for some takeaways.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos lead 7-3 after one. The stage is not too big for Bo. That is encouraging. Trends emerging. Broncos need to win on first down and stick with inside run game for now. And defense is going to have to pick spots to blitz. Allen has too much time to throw. He is carving Denver up. He has 45 yards passing and 19 rushing.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Bo Nix is unbothered by the moment. Troy Franklin, welcome to the NFL. But if the Broncos defense can start bowing up against the Bills run game, it might not matter.
First-quarter updates
Driving (11:34 a.m.): Broncos defense struggling to get off the field. These long drives are killers. — Schubert
Injury update (11:33 a.m.): Taron Johnson has cleared concussion protocol. — Schubert
QB power (11:32 a.m.): Bills go a little high school. Fake jet sweep, QB power. Josh Allen makes that possible. — Renck
Controlling the line (11:32 a.m.): Advantage Buffalo so far in the best pass-pro unit vs. the best pass-rush unit in the NFL. — Gabriel
O-line (11:28 a.m.): Buffalo’s offensive line is insanely good. — McFadden
Remember how we said the Bills’ TE and RB were matchup problems? The Buffalo OL? Serious matchup problem. — Keeler
Dion Dawkins was dancing. Dancing. Broncos tackling high and Bills’ Oline asserting its will. — Renck
Sacked (11:25 a.m.): Nix is sacked on third down. Broncos will punt. — McFadden
Bills might’ve got away with a hold on Williams. — Schubert
Broncos offense stalls on second drive. Milano’s speed — something Denver needs at inside backer — forces Nix to run out of bounds for a sack. — Renck
Good ratio (11:23 a.m.): Tony Romo just pointed out on the broadcast than in Bo Nix’s past 48 pass attempts he’s thrown 8 touchdowns and 7 incompletions. — Gabriel
Injury (11:22 a.m.): Bills cornerback Taron Johnson is down on the ground. He is being looked at by trainers. — McFadden
That would be a significant loss for the Bills. — Schubert
Field goal, Bills (11:17 a.m.): Knox was wide open in the end zone, so Bills will bookmark that play and come back to it. But a stop in the RZ and the Bills settling for 3 feels like an early win after the way that Buffalo drive started. 7-3, Denver. — Keeler
Big stand from the Broncos in the red zone. Trading field goals for touchdowns. Denver in control early. — Schubert
Denver’s defense stymies Buffalo’s push in the red zone. The Bills settle for a 26-yard field goal to cap off their 12-play, 59-yard drive. Broncos 7, Bills 3 with 7:07 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen.
Broncos gave up 70 yards, gashed over 11 plays. Huge response in red zone to hold Buffalo to field goal. Bills have not lost at home this season. But they will feel extreme pressure if this game is close late. — Renck
Broncos entered third in the NFL in red zone defense at 46.9% TD rate allowed.
Buffalo No. 2 offensively at 71.6% TDs.
Early win for Denver. — Gabriel
The Bills totaled 33 rushing yards on that scoring drive. — McFadden
Matchup (11:14 a.m.): Looks like Pat Surtain II’s been mostly with Keon Coleman so far. Interesting matchup in that regard because the Bills don’t have a true No. 1. Makes Surtain’s usage an interesting watch and Buffalo a tough matchup for Vance Joseph to plan for. — Gabriel
Steady movement (11:13 a.m.): The Bills are moving the ball with relative ease right now. — Schubert
Bills have had one play of 5 yards on this drive. Just gashing Broncos D. — Renck
Running strong (11:12 a.m.): It appears Cook is taking over where he left off last year. — Schubert
Strike (11:11 a.m.): Josh Allen just threw a dart in tight coverage. — McFadden
Strong start (11:11 a.m.): Broncos Bo Nix went 2-for-2 for 62 yards and Javonte Williams won on first down with his carries. A deep ball to Franklin and Javonte winning on first down are two things that didn’t happen this season. Good sign for Denver. — Renck
If they weren’t feeling it already, the pressure is now SQUARELY on the Bills. That felt like Tampa Bay. — Schubert
Killer duo (11:10 a.m.): Bo Nix and Sean Payton are the perfect marriage of “expletive” you personalities. — Keeler
Touchdown, Broncos (11:07 a.m.): What do you wanna bet Sean Payton reminded everybody pregame who the country — and CBS — picked in this game? — Keeler
So Bo Nix and Troy Franklin were just waiting for the playoffs, huh?
Bo Nix, two passes, 62 yards, 1 touchdown. Think the kid is ready for the big stage. — Schubert
Pretty decent time for Bo Nix and Troy Franklin to finally figure out the deep ball.
Bo Nix took a major shot as he let that ball go, too. Stood in there and delivered a strike. — Gabriel
Bo Nix and Troy Franklin had no chemistry on the deep ball this season. It made no sense as former college teammates. Said on the pod and on with Mile High Sports that Franklin or Mims would have to have deep strike. That this could be Franklin’s game. Well, he just caught a perfectly-thrown 43-yard bomb from Nix for a TD. Broncos lead 7-0 with 12:36 remaining in the first. Go Ducks. — Renck
On his birthday (11:07 a.m.): Mike McGlinchey couldn’t handle Rousseau on that second-down run. — Gabriel
Wide open (11:06 a.m.): Sutton was WIDE OPEN on his 19-yard catch. — McFadden
Sutton LOVES Buffalo. — Keeler
Bo Nix moving the sticks on third-and-long. A VERY good sign early on. — Schubert
Next play (11:05 a.m.): Javonte Williams as playoff starter. Did not see that coming. — Schubert
Opening play (11:05 a.m.): Javonte Williams starts at RB and gets 5 yards on first carry. He plowed up middle. Broncos need to win on the edges and that did not happen with McLaughlin on second down. — Renck
Javonte Williams as playoff starter. Did not see that coming. — Schubert
Coin toss (11:01 a.m.): In their first playoff game since February 2015, the Broncos will … receive. — Keeler
The Bills won the toss and deferred to the second half. Broncos will get the ball first. — McFadden
Pre-game updates
Predictions (10:55 a.m.): FYI: Everyone on the CBS panel picked the Bills. It’s almost like they are massive favorites. — Schubert
The Broncos will put the image of that on social media within five minutes of the game ending. — Gabriel
Adrenaline, in my soul (10:44 a.m.): Garett Bolles dyed his hair bright blonde. Happened Friday, I believe. He looks like WWE champion . — Renck
Uniforms (10:15 a.m.): Broncos are wearing blue helmets with white jerseys and orange trousers. Not my favorite combination. But again, i am bias. I love the throwback look. And I prefer today’s combination over blue jersey and orange pants. — Renck
Jets (10:12 a.m.): Maverick just buzzed the tower. Or it was just two jets going rogue over the stadium. Regardless, it was kind of cool. And yes, they were jets. Too big to be drones. — Renck
Bo’s legs (10:06 a.m.): I’ll wager my man Troy Renck a Diet Coke that Bo Nix leads the Broncos in carries today. — Keeler
Bo Nix has led them in carries multiple times. I would love to see Nix get 9 for 65 yards. … And establish it early not just when trailing — Renck
“Big part” (10:03 a.m.): CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson said on social media that Sean Payton told them Tyler Badie will be “a big part” of the game plan today against Buffalo. — Gabriel
Gameplan (9:54 a.m.): Swapping out a 227-pound back in cold weather at Buffalo for a 195-pound scatback equals Sean Payton has no plans to run the ball today. And probably never did. — Keeler
It is the first time that Audric Estime has been a healthy scratch. What is odd is that Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin feature a similar skillset. No one does what Estime could do. And don’t say Javonte Williams. He hasn’t been effective for months. But it does suggest that the short passing game will function as the run game. — Renck
Badie’s return (9:40 a.m.): Badie’s career NFL numbers in January: 1 carry for 0 yards, one catch for 24 yards and one receiving TD. — Keeler
Broncos inactives (9:32 a.m.): RB Audric Estime, RB Blake Watson, ILB Levelle Bailey, Guard Nick Gargiulo, DL Eyioma Uwazurike and QB Zach Wilson (emergency third quarterback).
With Estime inactive, running back Tyler Badie will play in his first game since sustaining a back injury against the Jets in Week 4. — McFadden
Weather (9:12 a.m.): Good morning from Orchard Park, where it’s 31 degrees, dry and mostly cloudy. In other words, balmy for Buffalo. — Keeler
Scouting report (8:30 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Bills in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Bills 27, Broncos 17
The Broncos won in Buffalo last year and they’ve got a team that believes it can go toe-to-toe with anybody. Thatap certainly possible Sunday, but itap just tough to bet against Josh Allen, at home, in the elements at this time of year. A successful run comes to an end and sets the stage for a bright future in Denver.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Bills 28, Broncos 20
The Broncos will get off to a good start and have many wondering if an upset is possible. However, they will fall flat down the stretch. Denver won’t achieve the outcome it hoped for but the franchise will have something to build on going into the offseason.
Troy Renck, columnist: Bills 27, Broncos 20
If Russ can beat the Bills, of course Bo Nix can do it. The Broncos will benefit from the recent success at Buffalo last season. They will benefit from their inspirational rookie quarterback and their sack-happy defense. All of these reasons will be why they are in the game, but not why they win the game. Sunday will be a learning experience that will put the Broncos in position to win playoff games next season.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 24, Bills 23
Upside? The football gods hate Buffalo, so anything’s possible. Downside? Josh Allen and Joe Brady, on paper, take Vance Joseph out of his comfort zone. What the Broncos have done so well to get here (man coverage, wicked pass rush) actually plays into Allen’s strengths: Extending plays and dumping the rock off to a bevy of quick backs or tight ends. Remember how VJ and company handled Baltimore? That was ugly. Hopefully, this one won’t be.
Broncos-Bills AFC wild-card game: Must-reads
Broncos don’t mind underdog moniker Sunday vs. Bills: “We’ve been overlooked all year”
The Broncos are playing with house money Sunday at Buffalo. Just don’t tell them that.
Sean Payton’s team took the NFL by surprise this year, winning 10 games and ending an eight-year playoff drought in the process. They’ll be widely expected to lose to potential NFL MVP Bills quarterback Josh Allen and company at Highmark Stadium.
Nobody in Denver’s building, though, is taking the approach that they’re just happy to be back in the playoffs for the first time since Super Bowl 50. Touchdown-plus underdogs? Thatap OK. Read Parker Gabriel’s full story.
The Von Miller trade brought Nik Bonitto to Denver. Now Broncos’ pass-rush past and future will collide in Buffalo.
As the second round drew to a close, San Francisco took USC outside linebacker Drake Jackson. Three picks later, the Broncos took Bonitto with the 64th overall pick.
Fitting, given what Bonitto has become — and where that pick came from in the first place.
In November 2021, the Broncos traded franchise icon and future Hall of Fame edge rusher Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams for second- and third-round picks in the following spring’s draft. The second-rounder — No. 64 overall — was then used to usher in a new era of Broncos pass rushers six months later. It just took three years for that destiny to be realized. Read Ryan McFadden’s full story.
Keeler: Broncos’ Bo Nix is ready for playoff battles with Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes in brutal AFC. “He’s built for this moment.”
John Elway had Kelly, Marino and Esiason. Peyton Manning had Brady, Roethlisberger and Flacco. Nix has the Squid Game, presented by Gatorade.
Pull the upset in Buffalo against Allen, and you land a date with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Houston’s C.J. Stroud and the Chargers’ Justin Herbert are slugging it out on the other side of the bracket. Runway Joe Burrow in Cincinnati just missed making the dance. Read Sean Keeler’s column.
