ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills showcased their dynamic offensive strategy in their playoff debut, overpowering the Denver Broncos in a decisive 31-7 victory. Josh Allen led the charge, proving their balanced playmaking strategy effective, whether it was through his 24-yard touchdown pass to running back Ty Johnson on a critical fourth down, or through James Cook’s impressive 120 yards on the ground, which included a 5-yard touchdown sprint.
“We aimed to execute well as a unit,” Allen remarked after the game. “Ultimately, we just wanted to perform at our best, and I believe we accomplished that.” The Bills maintained an authoritative presence on the field, with Allen completing 20 of his 26 passes for 272 yards while also securing two touchdowns. Their successful running game netted 210 yards, allowing Buffalo to dominate possession and score on six of their first seven drives within the playing time they controlled for 23 minutes over the Broncos.
Allen’s ability to distribute the ball was evident, connecting with eight different players during the game. Curtis Samuel notably contributed with a pivotal 55-yard touchdown reception to help cement the victory early in the fourth quarter. “Curtis likely didn’t have the season he aspired to, but he kept grinding, and that’s been our mantra all along: everyone plays a part. Today was his moment to shine,” Allen added, praising the eighth-year player who managed 31 catches for 253 yards and a touchdown this season.
The Bills, five-time champions of the AFC East and the first team in NFL history to achieve 30 rushing and passing touchdowns in a single season, prepared to advance into the divisional round for the fifth consecutive year. Their next challenge will be against the third-seeded Baltimore Ravens on the following Sunday evening. The Ravens come off a strong 28-14 win over Pittsburgh, having previously bested Buffalo with a 35-10 score in Week 4. This clash will also mark the second playoff encounter between Allen and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, having met prior in the 2020 division round, where Buffalo triumphed 17-3.
“This matchup is what everyone has been anticipating,” commented coach Sean McDermott. “It’s shaping up to be an exciting week, and our opponents come well-prepared. They gave us a tough run during the season and are in fine form.”
For the Broncos, this was a disappointing outcome, particularly marking their first playoff appearance since winning the Super Bowl in 2015. After starting strong, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix striking for a 43-yard touchdown pass to former college teammate Troy Franklin, the Denver offense stumbled, leaving them unable to produce subsequent scoring opportunities. Nix ended his day with a 13-of-22 performance for 144 yards, a stark contrast to his 29 touchdown passes during the regular season—just shy of the NFL rookie record.
“We’ve faced numerous challenges, and I’m proud of how this team persevered,” said Nix. “Reaching the playoffs signifies progress for us; it’s an essential foundation upon which we can build for the future.”
The Bills effectively neutralized the Broncos’ aggressive defensive lineup, capitalizing on sustained, time-consuming drives while only punting once throughout the game. Allen was sacked just twice, despite the Broncos leading the league in sacks this season. Bills edge rusher Greg Rousseau confidently reflected on their performance, downplaying the Broncos’ initial score. “That was a reminder for us about who we are and what we’re capable of achieving each week,” Rousseau stated.
Though the Bills didn’t force any turnovers, their defensive efforts were crucial in holding the Broncos to only two successful third-down conversions out of nine attempts. Key moments, like Cam Lewis’s diving effort to tackle Jaleel McLaughlin out of bounds for no gain on a fourth-and-2 situation in the early fourth quarter, underscored their tenacity.
After leading 13-7, Allen delivered a game-changing touchdown throw to Johnson late in the third quarter. This score withstood a video review confirming that Johnson caught the ball in bounds. Head coach McDermott expressed his trust in Allen, saying, “I’ll always back him up on those decisions. He’s proven time and again that he can be counted on.”
Following Allen’s touchdown pass to Samuel, Cook notched a remarkable milestone as the first Bills player to exceed 100 rushing yards in a playoff game since Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas’ 158-yard achievement in the 1995 wild-card playoff. Allen’s impressive playoff tally reached 23 passing touchdowns, surpassing the franchise record previously held by Jim Kelly at 21.
Looking ahead, the Broncos will enter the offseason, while the Bills prepare to host the Ravens, another contest ripe with potential between two of the 2018 draft’s first-round quarterbacks.
