Buffalo Bills Overpower Denver Broncos in AFC Wild-Card Clash, Set Sights on Baltimore Showdown

Buffalo Bills Dominate Denver Broncos in AFC Wild-Card Matchup

In a thrilling AFC wild-card showdown, the Denver Broncos faced off against the Buffalo Bills at Orchard Park, New York. The Broncos started strong, scoring within the first three minutes of the game. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix connected with wide receiver Troy Franklin for a deep pass, putting Denver on the board early. However, that was the only time the Broncos would score, as the Bills took control and secured a decisive 31-7 win.

Leading the charge for the Bills was quarterback Josh Allen, who was nearly unstoppable. Allen completed 20 of 26 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing eight times for 46 yards. Impressively, in the final three quarters, he completed 14 of 17 passes (82%) for 227 yards and two touchdowns. This performance allowed Allen to surpass Jim Kelly’s record for the most postseason passing touchdowns in Bills history, reaching a total of 23.

Running back James Cook also had a standout game, carrying the ball 23 times for 120 yards and one touchdown. The Bills’ ground game was dominant, rushing for over 200 yards in a playoff game for the fifth time in franchise history, a feat they hadn’t achieved since the 1995 wild-card game against the Miami Dolphins.

In a remarkable display of offensive balance, the Bills became the first team to record at least 250 passing yards and 200 rushing yards in a playoff game since the 2012 San Francisco 49ers did so against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC divisional playoffs.

On the other side, the Broncos struggled to find their rhythm. Their rushing attack was limited to just 79 yards, with quarterback Bo Nix leading the team with 43 rushing yards. The Broncos’ receivers also had a tough day, dropping three passes, the most in a game this season.

Key Takeaways for the Buffalo Bills (14-4)

• Eye-popping stat: Allen’s touchdown pass to running back Ty Johnson on fourth-and-1 in the third quarter had a completion probability of just 15.6%, making it the most unlikely touchdown pass of Allen’s career and of any player in the past five postseasons.
• Promising trend: The Bills’ third-down defense was exceptional, limiting the Broncos to just 2 of 9 (22.2%) third-down conversions. This was a significant improvement for a team that had been allowing opponents to convert 43.8% of third downs, the fourth worst in the NFL.
• Surprising performance: Wide receiver Curtis Samuel had a breakout game, catching all three of his targets for 68 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown catch. This was his best performance in his playoff debut.

Next game: vs. Baltimore Ravens (Saturday or Sunday)

Denver Broncos (10-8): A Learning Experience

For the Denver Broncos, the postseason wait might be over, but there’s still a lot of work to be done to return to the AFC’s elite. The Broncos showed some grit, but the Bills’ experience and talent ultimately prevailed. Denver’s first playoff game in eight seasons started with promise, as Nix’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Franklin gave them an early lead.

However, the Bills’ combination of Allen’s prowess, a powerful running game, and a stifling defense wore down the Broncos. Aside from Franklin’s score, Denver’s offense managed only one other play over 20 yards, and their run game never gained traction.

• Describe the game in two words: An education. Broncos coach Sean Payton often emphasizes that when a team is good enough, external factors like weather and game pressure don’t matter as much. The Broncos had their moments, keeping Allen under 100 yards passing deep into the third quarter and scoring on their first possession. However, the Bills, with an MVP candidate at quarterback, proved to be the better-constructed team.
• Troubling trend: The Broncos need to find a way to stop the elite quarterbacks in the AFC. With Sunday’s loss, Denver is 0-6 this season against top-tier quarterbacks like Allen, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert (twice).
• Biggest hole in game plan: The Broncos’ defense struggled against the run in the first quarter, allowing the Bills to rush for 100 yards and convert 10 first downs on run plays in the first half. Buffalo’s ground game repeatedly exploited the middle of Denver’s defense.
• QB breakdown: Making a postseason debut in Buffalo is no easy task for a rookie quarterback, but Nix managed to avoid turnovers until late in the fourth quarter and was sacked twice. However, his accuracy wavered at times, and he finished with just 82 yards after his initial 62-yard completions.