The Buffalo Bills unleashed their high-powered, balanced offense to cruise past the Denver Broncos 31-7 in an AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday. With quarterback Josh Allen leading the charge, Buffalo delivered a near-flawless performance that overwhelmed the seventh-seeded Broncos and secured the Bills’ spot in the divisional round for the fifth straight season.
Buffalo’s ability to spread the wealth on offense, a hallmark of their regular season, proved unstoppable in their playoff opener. Allen completed 20 of 26 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns while orchestrating an attack that saw eight different players catch passes. The running game was equally potent, with James Cook racking up 120 rushing yards, including a 5-yard touchdown run. In total, the Bills amassed 210 rushing yards and methodically wore down Denver’s defense, maintaining a commanding 23-minute edge in time of possession.
The Bills’ dominance began early and never let up. Scoring on six of their first seven drives, Buffalo blended big plays with clock-chewing consistency. Allen’s 24-yard touchdown pass to running back Ty Johnson on fourth down with 3:06 left in the third quarter was a pivotal moment, extending Buffalo’s lead to 20-7 after a successful replay review upheld the catch.
Curtis Samuel put the game out of reach with a 55-yard touchdown reception on the opening play of the fourth quarter. It was one of many highlights for Allen, who also surpassed Hall of Famer Jim Kelly’s franchise record for playoff touchdown passes, finishing the game with 23 career postseason passing scores.
Cook’s performance marked the first time a Buffalo player topped 100 rushing yards in a playoff game since Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas in 1995. The Bills’ rushing and passing attacks complemented each other seamlessly, cementing their status as the NFL’s only team to score 30 touchdowns both on the ground and through the air during the regular season.
For Denver, the game highlighted the gap between a promising regular season and playoff success. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix showed flashes of brilliance, opening the game with a 43-yard touchdown pass to former college teammate Troy Franklin. However, the Broncos’ offense sputtered from there, failing to score again.
Nix finished with 144 yards passing on 13-of-22 attempts, and Denver converted just two of nine third-down opportunities. The Bills’ defense, while not forcing turnovers, delivered critical stops, including Cam Lewis’ fourth-down tackle of running back Jaleel McLaughlin for no gain at the Buffalo 14-yard line early in the fourth quarter.
Denver’s defense, which led the NFL with 63 sacks during the regular season, managed to sack Allen only twice as the Bills leaned on short, quick passes and an efficient ground game to neutralize the Broncos’ pass rush.
The victory sends Buffalo into a highly anticipated divisional-round matchup against the third-seeded Baltimore Ravens next Sunday night. The Ravens, fresh off a 28-14 win over Pittsburgh, defeated Buffalo 35-10 in Week 4. The game will mark the second postseason meeting between Allen and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, both first-round picks in the 2018 draft. The Bills defeated Baltimore 17-3 in their previous playoff encounter in the 2020 divisional round.
For the Broncos, the offseason begins with a sense of optimism despite the playoff loss. Nix capped a strong rookie campaign with 29 touchdown passes, just two shy of the NFL rookie record. However, Sunday’s loss served as a reminder of the work needed to compete with the AFC’s elite.
Buffalo’s offensive efficiency, led by Allen and Cook, showcased their ability to dominate opponents with a balanced attack. Their methodical dismantling of Denver sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling showdown with the Ravens.
Meanwhile, the Broncos leave the playoffs with valuable experience and the hope that their young core, led by Nix, can take another step forward in 2025.