The Denver Broncos are back in the playoff spotlight, hosting the Buffalo Bills in a high-stakes AFC Divisional Round matchup. After a resurgent season under Sean Payton, Denver is eyeing a return to the Super Bowl - but standing in the way is a Bills team led by one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in Josh Allen.
Now, on paper, Denver’s defense has been a strength this season. They’ve shown flashes of dominance, especially in the second half of the year.
But there’s one glaring issue that could tip the scales in Buffalo’s favor - and it’s not something you’ll see on a highlight reel. It’s penalties.
Specifically, defensive pass interference (DPI).
The Broncos led the entire NFL in DPI penalties this season, flagged 20 times for a total of 350 yards. That’s not just a stat - that’s field position, momentum, and potential points surrendered.
And it’s not just spread across the unit. Rookie cornerback Riley Moss was responsible for eight of those calls, the most by any player in the league.
His aggressive play style has its upside, but in the postseason, where every yard is magnified, that kind of risk can be costly.
Against a quarterback like Allen, who thrives on extending plays and taking shots downfield, that’s a dangerous combination. Even if Buffalo doesn’t have a true WR1, they’ve got a versatile group of pass-catchers who can stress a defense in different ways.
Brandin Cooks brings the straight-line speed, Khalil Shakir offers shiftiness in space, and rookie Keon Coleman adds size and physicality on the perimeter. Throw in tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, and suddenly the Bills’ passing attack becomes a matchup puzzle.
That’s where things get tricky for Denver. With so many options, Buffalo doesn’t need to force the ball toward Patrick Surtain II, Denver’s top corner. They can simply work around him - and that puts pressure on the rest of the secondary, including Moss, to hold up without drawing flags.
And make no mistake: a single DPI at the wrong time - say, on third-and-long or during a red-zone stop - can flip a game. It’s not just about the yards; it’s about the momentum shift and the extra opportunities it gives Allen to make a play.
So for the Broncos, the mission is clear. They need to tighten up the coverage without sacrificing discipline.
That means smarter technique, better positioning, and knowing when to dial back the physicality. It’s a fine line, but it’s one they have to walk if they want to keep Buffalo from taking control.
Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph have to hammer this point home: the Bills don’t need help moving the ball, and the Broncos can’t afford to give it to them. If Denver can limit the self-inflicted wounds and keep Allen from exploiting mismatches, they’ve got a real shot at advancing.
But if the DPI trend continues? That could be the crack in the armor that Buffalo needs to punch their ticket to the AFC Championship Game.