Buffalo Sports News

Buffalo Sports News

Buffalo Rumblinks, 1/13: Bills buck Broncos in Wild Card clash

by

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Denver Broncos v Buffalo Bills
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Observations, analysis, report cards and recaps from Buffalo’s Super Wild Card win over Denver

The Buffalo Bills surrendered a touchdown to the Denver Broncos on the first possession of Sunday’s AFC Super Wild Card game at rowdy Highmark Stadium, but despite falling into an early hole, the rest of the game was all Buffalo. The Bills did whatever they wanted to against the Broncos, scoring 31 unanswered points while holding Denver scoreless over the last 57 minutes and 24 seconds of game time.

Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks offers up observations and analysis from the Bills’ fifth consecutive home Wild Card win, as the Bills dominated time of possession, ran the ball at will, and benefited from another vintage Josh Allen playoff performance.

Observations and analysis from Buffalo Bills’ win

After Bo Nix found Troy Franklin for a 43-yard touchdown pass on Denver’s opening possession, the Buffalo Bills thoroughly outplayed the Broncos, scoring the game’s final 31 points while out-gaining the Broncos 471-224 and enjoying a more than 23-minute advantage in time of possession.

Buffalo punted only once, the Bills’ offensive line did an outstanding job keeping the NFL’s best pass rush at bay, RB James Cook was dazzling in racking up 120 rushing yards (averaging 5.2 yards per carry), and Josh Allen completed 20 of 26 passes for 272 yards and two TDs (with no interceptions) on a day when a balanced Bills offense had its way with the stingy Denver defense.

Defensively, defensive coordinator Bobby Babich and head coach Sean McDermott dialed up a game plan that confused rookie quarterback Bo Nix, bottled up Denver’s ground game (Broncos backs rushed for only 35 yards on 13 carries), and never allowed head coach Sean Payton’s Broncos to get back into the game after a critical fourth-down touchdown pass from Allen to running back Ty Johnson.

Recapping Buffalo’s 31-7 win over Denver

A run through the biggest plays that influenced the outcome of Sunday’s win, along with game recaps.

Report cards and positional grades

Catch up on report cards to see what players are trending up and whose stock is on the decline following Buffalo’s home playoff win over Denver.

Bills will host Ravens in Divisional Round

For just the second time since they were selected during the 2018 NFL Draft, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson’s squads will square off Sunday evening in an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Highmark Stadium.

Bills react to win over Broncos

Hear Sean McDermott, Josh Allen, James Cook, Ed Oliver, Dion Dawkins, Ty Johnson, and Taron Johnson reflect on Buffalo’s playoff-opening win over Denver.

Recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings