The Buffalo Bills are preparing for a playoff rematch against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round, marking the second consecutive postseason meeting between the two teams. Last year, Buffalo defeated Denver 31-7 in the Wild Card Round.
“We know we’re obviously a different team than we were last year and so are they,” said offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
In their previous matchup, running back James Cook III led with 120 yards and one touchdown. The Bills accumulated 210 rushing yards and 272 passing yards, while quarterback Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes. Wide receivers Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel, along with tight end Dalton Kincaid, caught all of their targets for a combined 176 receiving yards.
Buffalo’s defense limited Denver to 79 rushing yards and held then-rookie quarterback Bo Nix to a 59.1 completion percentage. This season, Buffalo enters as the No. 6 seed facing the top-seeded Broncos in Denver.
“I’m sure that feels good for them, getting that rest, getting that number one seed, and they’ve earned it. They’ve got a great team, all three phases,” head coach Sean McDermott said. “We’re going to go out there and have to make sure we’re rested through the week as we try and prepare as well in the short week here; and we’re going to have to play better than we did this past weekend in order to win.”
Nix led Denver to a 14-3 regular season record this year. He finished with a 63.4 completion percentage on 388 completions for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
“Evolution-wise, you see how Nix is more comfortable in their offense,” defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said. “He knows when to use his legs, he knows when to tuck it and go and all that. He’s certainly really dangerous in that manner. But you see a maturation of the offense in general.”
During last week’s Wild Card Round against Jacksonville, Buffalo had to adapt its approach after facing one of the league’s top run defenses.
“As long as we can stay two-dimensional, we’re going to be at our best,” Brady said.
Josh Allen completed 28-of-30 passes for an 80 percent rate with nine different pass catchers involved; Shakir led with all twelve targets caught for eighty-two yards.
“As long as there’s time on the clock,” Brady added. “We have a chance.”
Denver’s defense presents another challenge: they rank first in sacks (68), quarterback hurries (149), pressure percentage (9.8 percent), fifth in blitz percentage (33.9 percent), second-best rush defense by yards allowed per game (91), third-best by yards per rush (3.9), seventh-best pass defense by yards allowed per game (159.6) and second-best by yards allowed per pass (6.1).
“It’s a very good defense,” ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky said on One Bills Live. “They put five defensive linemen across the field…Linebackers are really good players…secondary is fantastic.”
Head coach Sean McDermott provided an update on Allen’s health after Sunday’s game: “Allen is certainly sore…And as you know he’s going to do whatever it takes to play.” Allen was listed as limited during Tuesday’s walkthrough practice due to foot, knee, and finger issues.
On offense this season Denver averaged just under twenty-four points per game—lowest among remaining playoff teams—and ranked tenth overall in total yardage gained per game but struggled with consistency from quarterback Bo Nix according to Orlovsky: “There’s been inconsistency in their offensive performance…Bo has been inconsistent throughout the season…If I’m being honest that’s advantage Buffalo.” Despite these struggles Nix recorded thirty total touchdowns alongside nearly four thousand passing yards; he also performed strongly late in games including ten fourth-quarter touchdowns tied for second-most league-wide.
“You can’t let this young man have the ball with the chance to win it,” Orlovsky noted regarding Nix’s effectiveness late in games.
Defensively last week against Jacksonville—the Bills trusted their unit during critical moments late: “I wanted to make sure that we didn’t get too cute,” McDermott explained about his decision-making process near game’s end before Tre’Davious White tipped Trevor Lawrence’s pass leading safety Cole Bishop securing an interception sealing victory.
“We want that defensively put the game on us,” Babich stated regarding expectations moving forward into Saturday’s contest against Denver noting veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White’s strong recent form: “Tre White’s playing pretty good football right now…He’s been able this season get himself into rhythm because he hasn’t had deal whole lot things that’s credit him…He can really worry about football…It’s really cool see.”
As preparation continues Babich emphasized readiness within his group: “We’re prepared…We talk about having closers…We’ve trained ourselves throughout course training camp OTAs even practice…Whatever need do win we’re board.”
