Before I get into this rant, I want to make one thing absolutely clear: the Denver Broncos deserved to win this game. The better, more disciplined football team advanced to the AFC Championship, and there’s no debating that. Denver capitalized on every mistake, protected the football, and played within itself when it mattered most. Buffalo, on the other hand, did everything possible to beat itself.
This loss falls largely on the undisciplined football played by Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills as a whole. Turning the ball over five times in a playoff game is inexcusable—especially against a top-tier defense like Denver’s. Even more alarming is the fact that every single Buffalo drive ended in either a score or a turnover. There was no field-position battle, no reset, no chance for the defense to catch its breath. The Bills never punted once, which sounds impressive on the surface, but it instead highlights just how reckless and careless the offense was. When you’re either scoring or handing the ball directly to the opponent, you’re playing with fire—and eventually, you get burned.
Against a disciplined, well-coached Broncos team, those mistakes were always going to be magnified. You cannot give a playoff-caliber opponent that many extra possessions and expect to come out on top. Denver didn’t need help, but Buffalo gave it to them anyway, and that’s why the season ends here.
Was It A Catch?
Cooks appeared to secure the ball while going to the ground, and replays suggested at minimum a simultaneous catch or an incompletion rather than a clear interception. However, officials ruled the defender had possession first, and because the call on the field was an interception, replay could not overturn it without clear evidence. The decision was frustrating, as simultaneous catches are supposed to favor the offense, and the ruling felt inconsistent with similar plays earlier in the season. While not the sole reason for the loss, the call flipped field position, added to Buffalo’s turnover issues, and swung momentum in Denver’s favor at a critical point in the game.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
- DEN — Wil Lutz 28-yard FG (Broncos lead 3–0)Â
- BUF — Mecole Hardman Jr. 4-yard TD pass from Josh Allen (Prater kick) (Bills lead 7–3)Â
2nd Quarter
- DEN — Frank Crum 7-yard TD pass from Bo Nix (Lutz kick) (Broncos lead 10–7)Â
- BUF — Matt Prater 33-yard FG (Bills tie it 10–10)
- DEN — Lil’Jordan Humphrey 29-yard TD pass from Bo Nix (Lutz kick) (Broncos lead 17–10)Â
- DEN — Wil Lutz 50-yard FG (Broncos lead 20–10)
3rd Quarter
- DEN — Wil Lutz 33-yard FG (Broncos lead 23–10)
- BUF — Josh Allen 10-yard TD pass to Keon Coleman (Prater kick) (Broncos lead 23–17)Â
4th Quarter
- BUF — Josh Allen 14-yard TD pass to Dalton Kincaid (Prater kick) (Bills lead 24–23)Â
- DEN — Matt Prater 31-yard FG (Bills lead 27–23)
- DEN — Bo Nix 26-yard TD pass to Marvin Mims (Lutz kick) (Broncos lead 30–27)Â
- BUF — Matt Prater 50-yard FG (Tie game 30–30)
Overtime
- DEN — Wil Lutz 23-yard FG (game winner) (Final 33–30)
Players Key Stats
Offense
- Josh Allen (BUF): 25/39, 283 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, 66 yards rushing
- James Cook (BUF): 24 carries, 117 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 24 yards
- Dalton Kincaid (BUF): 6 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD
- Bo Nix (DEN): 26/46, 279 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 29 rushing yards
- RJ Harvey (DEN): 6 rushes, 20 yards, 5 receptions, 46 yards
- Marvin Mims Jr. (DEN): 8 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD
Defense
- Deone Walker (BUF): 2 tackles, 1 interception
- Cole Bishop (BUF): 7 tackles
- Alex Singleton (DEN): 11 tackles, 1 forced fumble
- Talanoa Hufanga (DEN): 7 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
- P.J. Locke (DEN): 6 tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble
- Malcolm Ranch (DEN): 3 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
- Nik Bonitto (DEN): 2 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles
- Zach Allen (DEN): 3 tackles,0.5 sack
- Ja’Quan McMillian (DEN): 1 tackle, 1 interception
- Devon Key (DEN): 1 tackle, 1 fumble recovery
Special Teams
- Matt Prater (BUF): 3/3 FG, 3/3 XP
- Wil Lutz (DEN): 4/4 FG, 3/3 XP
Playoff Picture
With the Buffalo Bills eliminated from the playoffs, it will be the Denver Broncos, without QB Bo Nix, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury, facing off against either the New England Patriots or the Houston Texans. Meanwhile, in the NFC, Seattle will take either the Los Angeles Rams or the Chicago Bears.
A Look Ahead
I’m not done yet! Be on the lookout for an article regarding my thoughts on Buffalos season, what I think the Bills should do in the front office, and some free agents I hope Buffalo goes after!
Check out all of my previous articles alongside all regular season articles available here: 2025 Season Series, and make sure to use code DL10 for 10% off all memberships! Also, tune in on YouTube to view our most recent video, where we discuss the divisional round!
