If the Buffalo Bills are going to make a real postseason push, it starts - and yes, probably ends - with Josh Allen putting on the cape. That’s no secret.
But here’s the thing: the Bills’ Super Bowl hopes don’t live or die solely with No. 17.
There’s more to this team than just Allen’s arm and improvisational brilliance. Let’s take a closer look at why Buffalo still has a legitimate shot, even in the thin air of Denver.
Allen’s Hero Mode Is Non-Negotiable
Let’s not sugarcoat it - Allen has to be elite. Not just good, not just efficient.
Elite. The kind of performance where he’s extending plays, converting third downs with his legs, and firing off-target missiles while on the move.
Mile High isn’t the place for a B-minus game from your franchise quarterback. If Allen is anything less than spectacular, the Bills are probably packing up early.
But if you think it’s all on Allen, you’re missing the bigger picture.
Don’t Sleep on James Cook
Some folks saw James Cook’s 46 yards on 15 carries against Jacksonville and immediately hit the panic button. But context matters.
That came against the league’s top-ranked run defense. The Broncos are second in that category - on paper.
But recent weeks tell a different story.
Denver gave up 152 rushing yards to the Raiders in Week 14, 128 to the Chiefs in Week 17, and 116 to the Chargers in Week 18. That’s not exactly impenetrable. So while the Bills’ 79 rushing yards on 26 carries against the Jaguars might look underwhelming, don’t assume that’s the ceiling.
Cook led the entire NFL with 1,621 rushing yards this season. That’s not a fluke.
That’s a season-long résumé of elite production. Expecting the Broncos to just bottle him up because of their ranking ignores what Cook has done week after week.
If Cook gets going - let’s say 80 to 90 yards on the ground - that opens everything up. It gives Allen breathing room, softens the pass rush, and keeps the offense on schedule.
And don’t forget, Cook’s not just a runner. He’s a legitimate receiving threat.
If he establishes the run early, the Bills could easily sneak him out on a wheel or seam route for a chunk play. In a game that figures to be tight, one explosive play could be the difference.
The Josh Allen Effect (and the Misdirection It Creates)
The Broncos know Allen is the engine. Their own quarterback, Bo Nix, called him “incredible,” and with good reason.
Allen’s ability to make plays when everything breaks down - when the playbook is out the window - is what makes him special. His toughness, his arm strength, his knack for turning busted plays into highlights - it’s all part of what makes him a generational talent.
But that kind of attention on Allen could work in Buffalo’s favor. If Denver’s defense keys in too hard on stopping the quarterback, that’s when guys like Cook - or even one of the tight ends - can slip behind the defense. That’s where the Bills can capitalize.
McDermott Deserves More Credit Than He Gets
Sean McDermott has taken his fair share of criticism for Buffalo’s playoff shortcomings. But when you zoom out, his postseason track record is better than people give him credit for.
He’s 8-7 in the playoffs - not perfect, but far from a failure. And let’s not forget how close the Bills have come under his watch.
In 2021, they took the lead with 13 seconds left against Kansas City. That game should’ve been over.
Instead, Patrick Mahomes pulled off a miracle, and the Chiefs won in overtime.
In 2023, a missed 44-yard field goal in the AFC Championship cost them a chance to tie it late. And last year, they were in it until the end in a 32-29 heartbreaker.
McDermott’s teams haven’t flamed out. They’ve been in the thick of it.
This is his ninth season, and the Bills have won a playoff game in each of the last six years. That’s consistency.
That’s culture. That’s a coach who knows how to get his team ready in January.
Even McDermott himself acknowledged the challenge of facing a rested, top-seeded Broncos team, saying, “They’ve earned it. They’ve got a great team, all three phases.”
But don’t mistake humility for resignation. McDermott has his team ready to compete.
What Will It Take to Win?
This game isn’t likely to be a shootout. Realistically, 21 to 24 points might be enough to get the job done.
That’s because the Broncos don’t bring a particularly scary run game. RJ Harvey leads their healthy backs with 540 yards.
JK Dobbins is still working his way back, and Bo Nix - the quarterback - is their next top rusher with 346 yards.
If Ed Oliver is able to return, that could be a big boost for Buffalo’s run defense. In limited action this year, he earned a 90.4 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus. That’s elite territory.
And if the Broncos have to rely on the pass? That’s where the Bills shine.
They had the NFL’s top-ranked pass defense in the regular season, allowing just 156.9 yards per game. That’s not a typo.
And they backed it up by holding Trevor Lawrence - who had been on fire - to just 207 yards and two interceptions.
So yeah, the Bills can keep Denver’s offense in check.
Who’s Catching the Ball for Buffalo?
Losing Tyrell Shavers and Gabe Davis hurts, no doubt. But the cupboard isn’t bare.
Khalil Shakir has shown he can be a reliable target. He may not be a home-run hitter, but he’s dependable and has a knack for finding space in the middle of the field.
Tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox are both capable of stepping up. This is the kind of stage where tight ends often become difference-makers, especially when defenses are focused on outside threats.
Brandin Cooks and Keon Coleman both bring playmaking ability, and if Curtis Samuel returns, that’s another wrinkle the Bills can throw at Denver’s defense.
The Bottom Line
Yes, the Bills are banged up. Yes, they’re facing a tough opponent on the road.
But this isn’t a team limping into the postseason. This is a team with a top-tier quarterback, the league’s leading rusher, a championship-caliber defense, and a head coach who’s been knocking on the door for years.
Josh Allen will need to be Superman - but he’s got a solid supporting cast behind him. And if they all play their roles, the Bills have everything they need to keep their Super Bowl dreams alive.