Denver, CO – The Denver Broncos’ improbable playoff run takes them to Highmark Stadium this Sunday, where they’ll face the formidable Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wildcard round. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. MST, and both teams enter the game with contrasting styles but the same goal: survival in the postseason.

For the Broncos, it’s not just about being in the playoffs—it’s about proving they belong among the NFL’s elite. Head Coach Sean Payton emphasized this mentality when addressing the team’s preparation.

“We’re all routine-driven,” Payton said. “It’s not like we pay more attention to the details this week than we did in Week 5, but you understand in playoff football, unlike the other sports, it’s three hours. The margins get closer, and mistakes can have greater consequences.”

Denver’s Defense vs. Buffalo’s Offense: A Battle of Titans+

The matchup features Denver’s top-five defense squaring off against Buffalo’s top-five scoring offense, a unit that made history this season by recording 30 passing touchdowns and 30 rushing touchdowns. Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who combines a rocket arm with bruising physicality, poses a unique challenge.

“The first key [to slowing Allen] is taking away the primary read,” Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II said. “With his scrambling ability and his second-play ability, we have to plaster on to our matchups. That’s where he becomes a playmaker.”

Surtain, recently named to the NFLPA Players’ All-Pro Team, anchors a secondary that has been elite against the pass. Alongside Ja’Quan McMillian and rookie Riley Moss, Surtain has helped limit opposing quarterbacks to under seven yards per attempt. This will be critical against Allen’s dynamic group of playmakers, including Khalil Shakir, rookie standout Keon Coleman, and tight end Dalton Kincaid.

On the ground, Buffalo’s James Cook is a force, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. Denver’s run defense, which has held running backs to 3.9 yards per carry, will need to be at its best to contain Cook and prevent Buffalo from controlling the clock.

The Bo Nix Factor: Denver’s Offense Finds Its Rhythm

Rookie quarterback Bo Nix enters the postseason playing his best football of the year, having posted three consecutive games with a passer rating over 100. For Nix, the key to success lies in staying true to the process that got the Broncos here.

“It’s just the next game for us,” Nix said. “We’ve been playing competitive games trying to get to the playoffs for a few weeks now, so it’s been playoff time. We just have to go out there and do what we’ve been doing.”

Nix will lean on a versatile receiving corps led by Courtland Sutton, who eclipsed 1,000 yards this season, and rookie Marvin Mims Jr., who has emerged as a deep threat with four touchdowns over the past three games. Tight end Davon Valley has also become a reliable red-zone target.

Buffalo’s defense, led by veteran Von Miller, will aim to disrupt Nix’s rhythm. Payton praised Miller’s ability to impact games, calling him “an elite player, [a Pro Football] Hall-of-Fame type player.” Nix and the Broncos’ offensive line, which allowed the league’s lowest pressure rate this season, will need to neutralize Miller’s presence to give Denver a chance.

Building a Winning Culture

The Broncos’ return to the postseason is a testament to the culture shift under Payton. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton credited the team’s success to the foundation laid in the offseason and the relationships built along the way.

“We are in that space of the tide turning,” Sutton said. “The way we meet, the way we practice, and the way we play—it’s contagious. We feel like we’ve earned this opportunity to play in the postseason. It’s upon us to take advantage.”

Payton echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of confidence and attention to detail. “There’s a confidence level that has to be built. It can’t be just manifested on its own. That’s taken place throughout the course of the season.”

Keys to the Game

1. Contain Josh Allen: Denver must prevent Allen from extending plays, with Surtain emphasizing the need to plaster onto receivers during Allen’s “second-act” moments.
2. Establish Bo Nix Early: Starting fast will be crucial in a hostile environment, with Nix aiming to sustain drives and limit Buffalo’s possessions.
3. Win the Sack Battle: Denver’s pass rush, led by Nick Bonito (13.5 sacks), faces a Bills offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL this season.
4. Minimize Mistakes: As Payton noted, the stakes in playoff football magnify every error. Ball security and disciplined play will be vital.

The Underdog’s Opportunity

While the Bills are undefeated at home this season and widely considered one of the AFC’s top contenders, the Broncos embrace their role as underdogs. Nix summed up the team’s mindset: “Most people didn’t expect us to be here, so we might as well continue to not worry about those things. Do what we can do and just worry about ourselves.”

Denver enters Sunday’s game with nothing to lose and everything to gain. For a young and hungry team, the wildcard round is not just a stepping stone—it’s a chance to show they belong on the NFL’s biggest stage.