Can the Broncos Really Beat Buffalo in the Playoffs?

The Denver Broncos are gearing up for their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade, heading to Buffalo this Sunday to face the Bills. Buffalo, finishing the season with a 13-4 record and securing the AFC’s No. 2 seed, boasts an MVP-caliber quarterback in Josh Allen and a dominant defense, including the NFL’s best turnover differential. The Bills also made a name for themselves this season by handing the Kansas City Chiefs a rare loss with their starters on the field.

So, can rookie quarterback Bo Nix, leading the 7th-seeded Broncos, manage to steal a win in Buffalo on his playoff debut? Denver7’s Nick Rothschild caught up with Matt Bové, the sports director at WKBW in Buffalo, to break down the matchup. Here’s a sneak peek at their conversation:

Is This a Good Matchup for the Broncos?

Some analysts are giving the Broncos a shot, claiming that as the heavy underdogs, they’re a wildcard that could shake up the NFL. Denver’s defense, led by the league’s sack leaders, might generate enough pressure to rattle Allen and force some turnovers, a weakness the Broncos have capitalized on throughout the season.

Rookie quarterback Bo Nix is also a wild card. Recently, he’s been on fire, completing 79% of his passes with 803 yards, 9 touchdowns, and just 1 interception in his last three games. Despite his recent success, though, Bové isn’t sure the rookie can outplay Allen when it counts.

“I’m not sold on the line,” Bové said, referring to Buffalo’s 8.5-point favorite status. “The Broncos will keep it close, but in the end, I trust Allen, the MVP candidate, to take over.”

Bové also highlighted the importance of the Bills’ running backs, particularly James Cook and Ty Johnson. He noted that Allen often relies on his backs when he’s under pressure, and don’t be surprised if one of them leads the team in receiving.

He also cautioned that if the Broncos lean too heavily on man coverage to stop Allen’s passing game, they might leave themselves vulnerable to Allen’s ability to run.

How Are Bills Fans Feeling About the Game?

For Bills fans, the nerves are palpable. With the Broncos clinching a playoff spot in Week 18 and potentially avoiding a matchup with Joe Burrow and the Bengals, expectations have grown. According to Bové, while fans are confident in their team, there’s a lot of pressure to win. “When you’re an 8.5-point favorite, there’s no margin for error,” he said. “If the Bills win, it’s expected. If they lose, the season’s a failure.”

Bové mentioned that Bills fans are uneasy about the pressure, as their Super Bowl aspirations hinge on a must-win game that’s making them feel tense.

What’s Made Josh Allen So Effective This Season?

Allen has often been criticized for his turnover issues, but this season has been different. He’s cut down on interceptions and fumbles, throwing just six interceptions and losing one fumble. Bové believes Allen’s improvement stems from a combination of better decision-making and an offense that’s designed to take some of the pressure off of him.

“The Bills are making sure Allen doesn’t have to do everything himself,” Bové explained. “If they can hand it off to James Cook 20 times a game and let him rack up over 100 yards, they’re winning games without Allen having to force things.”