In a playoff showdown that had all the drama you’d expect in January football, the Denver Broncos punched their ticket to the AFC Championship Game with a 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills - a game that had momentum swings, controversial moments, and a finish that left fans on both sides breathless.
Next stop for the Broncos: a home date in the AFC title game, where they’ll host the winner of Sunday’s Texans-Patriots matchup. And based on how Denver battled through this one, they’re not just showing up - they’re arriving with serious momentum.
Overtime Drama, Strategy, and a Controversial No-Call
This one went to overtime, and with the NFL’s postseason rules guaranteeing each team a possession, the coin toss took on extra weight. The Bills won it and made a bold call - they chose to kick, opting to get the ball second and know exactly what they’d need. It was a strategic gamble that didn’t pay off.
Denver’s first overtime possession was brief - one first down and a punt - but it pinned Buffalo deep, starting their drive at their own 7-yard line. Josh Allen, as he’s done so many times, started moving the offense with purpose. Then came the play that will be talked about all offseason in Buffalo.
Allen launched a deep ball to Brandin Cooks, who went to the ground tangled with Broncos defensive back Ja’Quan McMillian. When the dust settled, McMillian had the ball, and the officials ruled it an interception.
The Bills, hoping for a reversal, called timeout, expecting a replay review to determine whether Cooks had completed the catch. But the review never came - the ruling stood, and Denver took over.
Denver Takes Advantage of Costly Mistakes
With the ball back, Denver didn’t waste time testing Buffalo’s secondary. Bo Nix went deep to Courtland Sutton, and Bills DB Taron Johnson was flagged for pass interference, moving the Broncos into long field goal range.
On the very next deep shot, another flag - this time a 30-yard pass interference on Tre’Davious White. And when White let his frustration boil over and picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for arguing the call, Denver found itself in chip-shot territory.
Wil Lutz stepped up and drilled the 24-yard game-winner, sending the Broncos to the AFC Championship and igniting celebrations across the Mile High City.
A Wild Finish to a Wild Game
This game had everything - gutsy coaching decisions, big plays, and controversial officiating. But in the end, it was Denver who capitalized when it mattered most. The defense came up with a huge turnover in overtime, and the offense stayed aggressive, forcing Buffalo into costly penalties that sealed their fate.
Now, the Broncos are one win away from the Super Bowl. And after surviving a heavyweight fight like this, they look ready for whatever comes next.