In a rematch that lived up to the hype and then some, the Denver Broncos defeated the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime on January 17, 2026, at Empower Field at Mile High, advancing to the AFC Championship Game while ending Buffalo’s season in gut-wrenching fashion. The game, a back-and-forth divisional round showdown between the top-seeded Broncos (14-3) and the sixth-seeded Bills (12-5), featured explosive plays, costly turnovers, controversial calls, and a dramatic finish that left both teams physically and emotionally drained.
The contest marked the second consecutive postseason meeting between these squads. Last year, the Bills dominated Denver 31-7 in the Wild Card round at Highmark Stadium. This time, the Broncos flipped the script, avenging that blowout with a resilient performance fueled by their league-leading defense and timely scoring.
Early Momentum Swings and Turnovers Plague Buffalo
The Bills struck first, marching 75 yards on their opening drive capped by a short touchdown pass from Josh Allen to give Buffalo a 7-3 lead after Denver opened with a field goal. But ball security issues quickly surfaced for Buffalo. Running back James Cook fumbled deep in Denver territory, allowing the Broncos to capitalize with a touchdown drive that put them ahead 10-7.
The second quarter turned chaotic. Denver scored 10 points in the final 22 seconds of the half — including a late touchdown pass from Bo Nix — to take a 20-10 lead into the locker room. Josh Allen’s late-half fumble on a scramble, with no timeouts remaining, proved particularly costly, setting up Wil Lutz’s field goal as time expired.
The turnover woes continued into the third quarter. On Buffalo’s opening possession, star Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto delivered a blindside strip-sack on Allen, with Malcolm Roach recovering at the Bills’ 17-yard line. Denver converted the takeaway into another field goal, extending the lead to 23-10.
Despite the deficits, Allen refused to let the game slip away. The Bills quarterback orchestrated a stirring comeback, connecting on a 10-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keon Coleman and a 14-yard strike to tight end Dalton Kincaid to reclaim a 24-23 lead early in the fourth quarter. Allen finished the day with 283 passing yards and three touchdowns, plus 66 rushing yards on 12 carries, showcasing his trademark dual-threat ability even under constant pressure from Denver’s sack-leading defense.
Late Drama and a Go-Ahead Score for Denver
Denver responded with resilience. After Buffalo tied the game, the Broncos drove for a field goal to go up 26-24. The Bills answered with a 50-yard Matt Prater field goal with seconds remaining in regulation, forcing overtime at 27-27? Wait — no: actually, Denver surged ahead late in the fourth with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Nix to Marvin Mims Jr. with under a minute left, making it 30-27 Broncos after a defensive pass interference penalty aided the drive.
But Buffalo’s never-say-die spirit shone through. Allen led a frantic final drive, finding space for a game-tying field goal as time expired to send the thriller to overtime.
Overtime Heartbreak and Controversial Finish
Buffalo won the overtime coin toss and deferred. Denver’s initial possession ended in a punt after failing to capitalize. The Bills then drove into field goal range, but disaster struck on a deep shot to Brandin Cooks: Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian made an acrobatic, disputed interception — officials ruled Cooks did not maintain possession upon hitting the turf — giving Denver the ball back at their 20.
Penalties, including pass interference calls on Buffalo’s secondary, moved the Broncos into prime position. Wil Lutz calmly drilled a 23-yard field goal to seal the 33-30 victory.
The game came at a steep price for Denver: quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle late in the contest, sidelining him for the remainder of the playoffs. Backup Jarrett Stidham will lead the team into the AFC Championship against either the New England Patriots or Houston Texans.
Allen’s Heroics Overshadowed by Turnovers
Josh Allen accounted for three touchdowns and nearly 350 total yards, but his four turnovers — two interceptions and two lost fumbles — proved decisive. Denver’s defense forced five takeaways overall, with Bonitto’s strip-sack and McMillian’s OT pick standing out. Allen, visibly emotional postgame, admitted the mistakes weighed heavily: “I feel like I let my teammates down tonight. Missed opportunities… It’s gonna stick with me for a long time.”
Buffalo’s season ends with questions lingering about playoff consistency. Despite Allen’s brilliance — including MVP-caliber moments — the turnovers in critical spots have become a recurring theme in high-stakes games.
Broncos’ Defense Delivers in Historic Win
Denver’s performance marked their first playoff victory since Super Bowl 50 a decade ago and their first home postseason win in that span. The defense, which led the NFL in sacks during the regular season, harassed Allen relentlessly and created chaos. Nix, before his injury, threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns, distributing the ball effectively to Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and others.
Head coach Sean Payton praised his team’s readiness: “We weren’t ready last year. But we were ready today.”
Looking Ahead
For the Bills, the offseason begins with soul-searching. Allen remains one of the league’s elite, but the team must address ball security and defensive vulnerabilities in big moments. Bills Mafia’s wait for a Super Bowl continues.
The Broncos, meanwhile, march on — albeit without their starting quarterback — into the AFC title game, one step closer to Super Bowl LX. In a game defined by drama, Denver proved they can win ugly, resiliently, and at the highest level.
This divisional round classic will be remembered as one of the most entertaining playoff battles in recent memory — a fitting end to Buffalo’s campaign and a triumphant step forward for Denver.
