The Denver Broncos defeated the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime to return to the AFC Championship Game for the first time in a decade. It looked like the Bills might end the game in overtime, but Ja’Quan McMillian made a crucial interception on Josh Allen’s deep pass. The Broncos took over the game at their own 20, thanks in part to two defensive pass interference penalties totaling 47 yards, and they drove down the field for the game-winning field goal.
With 55 seconds left in the game, Bo Nix connected with Marvin Mims, Jr. for a 26-yard touchdown, and Denver appeared to be closing in on the game in regulation. But Buffalo was able to move forward and find position for Matt Prater to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation and send the game into overtime.
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The game was back-and-forth, but Buffalo repeatedly shot itself in the foot with constant mistakes. Josh Allen had an interception and two fumbles, while James Cook also fumbled one. If the Bills can avoid even one of these missteps, it’s likely to have significant regulatory implications. Instead, they will go home and the Broncos will stay home to host the AFC Championship Game.
Denver Broncos’ next playoff opponents
Sunday update: The Patriots defeated the Texans 28-16 in the divisional round. They will face the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
The Broncos will host the winner of Sunday’s game between the Texans and Patriots. The game begins at 3 p.m. ET. The AFC Championship game will begin next Sunday at approximately 3 p.m. ET. The Texans defeated the Steelers on the road in the wild-card round, while the Patriots defeated the Chargers at home.
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History and potential rivals
Records vs. Patriots: 27 wins and 23 losses in the regular season, 4 wins and 1 loss in the playoffs
The Broncos and Patriots have been playing each other since the days of the AFL, but they haven’t faced off since Christmas Eve 2023. Their last playoff appearance was back in 2016, when Peyton Manning and Tom Brady respectively led the team. They met in the 2016 AFC Championship Game, with the Broncos winning 20-18 in the final game between the two legendary quarterbacks. That year, Denver won Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium, the site of this year’s Super Bowl.
Record vs. Texans: 7 wins and 4 losses in the regular season
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Denver and Houston have a long history of never meeting in the playoffs. They did play games this season, with the Broncos winning 18-15 in Week 9. Denver won on Will Lutz’s field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter.
Early AFC Championship Odds
Broncos vs Patriots
spread:Patriots-4.5
all:40.5
Money line: Patriots -245, Broncos +200
Broncos vs Texans
spread: Texans -3.5
all:34.5
Money line: Texans -176, Broncos +148
Denver Broncos playoff history
The Broncos are back in the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 2016. That year they defeated the Patriots to advance to Super Bowl 50 and defeated the Panthers to win the Lombardi Trophy. Coincidentally, Denver, as the No. 1 seed, won the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, host of this year’s Super Bowl.
This is the 11th time the Broncos have reached the AFC Championship. They won eight times and lost twice.