The Denver Broncos host the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. Read our in-depth preview.
Preview for Buffalo Bills @ Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos face the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs for the second year running, but this time the stakes are much higher.
Buffalo eased to a 31-7 home win over the Broncos in the Wild Card Round last season, but Saturday’s contest is expected to be much closer one, with a place in the AFC Championship Game on the line.
The Broncos enter the game under significant pressure to back up a hugely impressive 14-3 season that netted them the one seed in the AFC as they finished tied for the best record in the NFL.
That record ensured the Broncos enjoyed the benefit of a bye week, but they can ill-afford to come into the game rusty against the Bills, who have significant momentum after their upset win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their Wild Card contest.
Quarterback Josh Allen produced an outstanding performance in a 27-24 win, his rushing touchdown with 64 seconds remaining proving decisive as the Bills intercepted Trevor Lawrence for the second time on the subsequent drive, their defense frustrating the Jags through the air despite struggling once again to stop the run.
Allen went 28/35 (a completion rate of 80%) for 273 passing yards and a touchdown, while adding 33 yards and two scores on the ground.
Arguably the best quarterback in the playoffsit was the kind of display Buffalo will continue to require to go all the way, and should foster great confidence Allen can produce similar against Denver’s vaunted defense.
Allen, though, is wary of Denver’s fierce pass rush.
“They’ve got some absolute studs over there. Obviously, they rush the passer extremely well,” Allen said.
“Interior there, some big, stout guys that can really push the pocket, and they can stop the run in the backend too.
“[We have to] understand the game plan, get to the right checks, get to the right calls, execute and play for each other because we can’t give [Denver] any help. That’s a good team over there, and anytime you’re facing a really good defense and you got to go out there and do your part.”
For Denver quarterback Bo Nix, the key to him and the Broncos getting the better of Allen and Co. is a fast start.
“They’re a similar team, same players, same coach, same quarterback,” Nix said. “I know they dealt with some injuries, but I imagine some of their guys will be back. It’s going to be a tough, physical football game. They know how to win. They’ve been in this situation before. They had a great win last week, coming off probably their best win of the season.
“They have a good rhythm right now as a team. So it’s going to be a challenge. We have to start fast. We have to make sure we match their tempo and not let them get out because they played last week, and we can’t let this bye week affect us with a slow start.”
While many of the players from last year’s matchup remain, nobody in the Bronco locker room is thinking about that defeat.
“We left with a sour taste,” cornerback Pat Surtain II said. “That wasn’t the result we wanted, but there’s a lot to learn from and take away from that game. We know that we’re a whole completely different team. Last year’s in the past.”
One thing the Broncos have in their favour is home advantage, with the crowd at Empower Field likely to be raucous in expectation of a first playoff win since the 2015 season that ended with Denver winning Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium, where Super Bowl 60 will be held.
“I expect it to be extremely loud,” Nix said. “I expect it to be a great environment. Something tells me it’ll be kicked up a notch, just because it’s got ‘playoffs’ on it.”
How to watch Buffalo Bills @ Denver Broncos
The Buffalo Bills-Denver Broncos matchup kicks off at 4:30 ET on Saturday. It will be broadcast nationally on CBS. It is available to stream via NFL + and Paramount +.
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