The Denver Broncos are staring down a familiar postseason opponent - but this time, the stakes feel different. A year after the Buffalo Bills routed them 31-7 in the Wild Card Round, Denver is back in the playoffs, battle-tested and ready for a shot at redemption in the Divisional Round.
The Broncos earned a first-round bye, while Buffalo survived a thriller against the Jaguars. Now, it’s round two - and Denver’s bringing a whole new arsenal to the fight.
Let’s be clear: last year’s playoff loss wasn’t just a defeat - it was a wake-up call. That game exposed the gap between where the Broncos were and where they needed to be.
Fast forward to now, and Denver looks like a team that’s taken that message to heart. This isn’t the same group that limped out of the postseason a year ago.
This is a deeper, more balanced, and more confident squad that’s built to win in January.
It all starts with the quarterback. Bo Nix, last year’s first-round pick, has stepped in and looked anything but a rookie.
He’s been poised, efficient, and - maybe most importantly - clutch. The kid’s got ice in his veins, and Denver’s leaned on him in high-pressure moments all season long.
But Nix hasn’t had to do it alone. Denver’s defense has taken a leap - and then some.
Patrick Surtain II put together a Defensive Player of the Year campaign, anchoring what might be the best secondary in football. The supporting cast has been relentless: Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, Alex Singleton, Jonathan Cooper, Riley Moss, and Ja’Quan McMillian have helped form a front-to-back unit that’s both aggressive and disciplined.
The front office didn’t sit on its hands either. They added real juice on both sides of the ball.
On offense, the Broncos bolstered their backfield by drafting RJ Harvey and signing JK Dobbins. Harvey’s been a revelation as a rookie, while Dobbins - before suffering a Lisfranc injury - was running like a man possessed.
There’s optimism he could return soon, which would be a huge boost. And then there’s Evan Engram, Sean Payton’s do-it-all “Joker” tight end, who’s added versatility and mismatches all over the field.
Defensively, the reinforcements were just as impactful. Talanoa Hufanga came in and immediately made his presence felt, earning All-Pro honors.
Dre Greenlaw, despite battling injuries and suspensions, brings a physical edge when he’s on the field. The Broncos also used a first-round pick on cornerback Jahdae Barron, and now they’ve got a secondary so deep it’s giving quarterbacks nightmares.
That depth and pressure have translated into results. Denver led the league in sacks - 68 on the year - nearly pushing the all-time record of 72.
That kind of pass rush is the great equalizer in the postseason, especially against a quarterback like Josh Allen. Allen’s a game-breaker, no doubt, but he’ll be facing constant heat behind a banged-up receiving corps.
And if the Bills try to pivot to a run-heavy game plan, Denver’s got the run-stoppers to handle James Cook.
Of course, the Broncos can’t rely on defense alone. They’ll need to put up points - something they failed to do in last year’s matchup.
But this time, they’ve got the tools. The offensive line has been elite, and with Buffalo’s run defense ranking near the bottom of the league, RJ Harvey could be in line for a big day.
Denver has the balance now - a quarterback who can make plays, a ground game that can control tempo, and a line that can protect.
Beyond the Xs and Os, there’s something else at play here: this team knows how to win close games. That’s not just coach-speak - it’s been their identity all season.
Eleven of their 14 wins came by one score. They’ve been tested, they’ve been pushed, and they’ve responded.
In fact, the Broncos set an NFL record with 12 comeback victories this year. That’s not a fluke.
That’s resilience.
Sure, the offense can go cold at times. But when the game’s on the line, Bo Nix and this group have found ways to deliver. That’s the kind of trait that separates playoff contenders from pretenders.
Josh Allen is still one of the most dangerous players in football. He can singlehandedly swing a game.
But this year, Denver isn’t just trying to survive - they’re built to win. From top to bottom, the Broncos have more depth, more balance, and more belief than they did a year ago.
This time, it’s not about revenge. It’s about proving they belong. And based on everything we’ve seen this season, the Broncos are ready to do just that.