The Denver Broncos are sitting pretty at 12-2, with three weeks to go and a golden opportunity to lock up the AFC’s No. 1 seed. With the Kansas City Chiefs officially out of playoff contention after Week 15, Denver’s path to the top spot-and potentially a Super Bowl berth-has never looked clearer. But as the postseason picture sharpens, one question looms large: who’s the biggest threat to the Broncos in the AFC?
While the standings point to the New England Patriots as the next team up, many around the league are circling a different name-Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Why the Bills Are the Broncos’ Biggest Threat in the AFC
The Bills might not have the best record in the conference, but they’re the team no one wants to face in January. And it starts with their quarterback.
Josh Allen, the reigning league MVP, has shown time and again that he can flip the switch and take over a game. But what makes Buffalo dangerous isn’t just Allen’s highlight-reel plays or his ability to go nuclear at a moment’s notice-it’s the completeness of the roster around him.
Denver’s defense has been elite all season, especially in man coverage and limiting big plays. But the Broncos aren’t a perfect team.
The offense, while improving under rookie quarterback Bo Nix, has had its inconsistent stretches. And special teams?
Let’s just say there have been a few moments they'd like to have back.
Buffalo, meanwhile, doesn’t lean on the conventional blueprint for offensive success. They’re not trying to beat you over the top every possession.
Instead, they wear defenses down with a physical run game and use their receiving corps with surgical efficiency. That kind of approach doesn’t just test your scheme-it tests your will.
The Matchup That Should Worry Denver
The last time these two teams met in Orchard Park, it didn’t end well for the Broncos. That playoff loss still lingers, and it’s a reminder of how well Buffalo matches up with Denver. The Bills don’t just bring firepower on offense-they’ve got a defense that can clamp down when it matters, especially in the red zone and on third downs.
That’s the real challenge for the Broncos. Even with a defense that can smother top-tier receivers and generate pressure, Buffalo’s offense doesn’t rely on those matchups.
They’re built to adapt. And on the other side of the ball, their defense is disciplined and physical-more than capable of slowing down a young quarterback like Nix in his first playoff run.
Denver Still Holds the Keys-but Buffalo’s a Real Test
Let’s be clear: the Broncos are still the team to beat in the AFC. At 12-2, they’ve earned that spot.
The defense is championship-caliber, and the offense is growing into something dangerous. But if there’s one team that can go toe-to-toe with Denver in all three phases, it’s Buffalo.
If these two teams meet in January, buckle up. It’s not just a clash of styles-it’s a heavyweight fight between two of the most complete rosters in the league. And if Josh Allen gets rolling, even the best defense in the AFC might not be enough.