The Denver Broncos are gearing up for a high-stakes playoff showdown, and they’re getting a key piece of their defense back just in time. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who’s been nursing a hamstring injury, was upgraded from limited to full participant in Thursday’s practice - a strong sign he’ll be ready to go when the Broncos host the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round.
And make no mistake: Greenlaw’s return isn’t just a nice bonus. It could be a game-changer.
Since arriving in Denver via free agency after a standout run with the 49ers - where he helped San Francisco to an NFC title - Greenlaw has been a tone-setter on defense. His impact was immediate, logging two eight-tackle games and snagging a 27-yard interception against the Commanders. He brings speed, instinct, and a physical edge that fits perfectly with what’s quietly become one of the most dominant defenses in the league.
Denver’s defense has been on a tear. After giving up 34 points to Jacksonville late in the regular season, they’ve since clamped down, allowing just 16 combined points in their last two games. That surge has helped them climb to third in the NFL in scoring defense and second in total yards allowed - a testament to how locked in this unit is heading into the postseason.
And now, they’ll need every bit of that defensive firepower to slow down Josh Allen and a Bills offense that just battled past Jacksonville in the Wild Card round. Allen remains one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league - a dual-threat problem who can torch defenses through the air or on the ground. But if there’s a defense built to handle that kind of challenge, it might just be this one.
This version of the Broncos is evoking shades of the old “Orange Crush” - fast, physical, and relentless. And with Sean Payton at the helm and Greenlaw back in the mix, Denver’s defense has the kind of swagger and structure that can win in January.
There’s also a little extra juice to this matchup. Last postseason, Buffalo handed Denver a humbling loss at Highmark Stadium - a game that marked the playoff debut for Payton as Broncos head coach and for rookie quarterback Bo Nix. That loss still lingers, and now Denver has a chance to flip the script.
This time, the Broncos enter with the better record, home-field advantage, and a defense that’s playing lights out. And now, they’ll have Greenlaw - battle-tested and back in uniform - ready to help lead the charge.