The 2026 NFL Playoffs are heating up, and the Divisional Round is where things really start to get serious. With a trip to the AFC Championship on the line, the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills are set to clash in a high-stakes battle that promises fireworks - and maybe a few surprises.
Broncos vs. Bills: A Mile High Showdown
The Broncos have been sitting pretty as the AFC’s No. 1 seed, earning a well-deserved bye after a strong regular season. That means they’ve had extra time to rest, reset, and prepare for whoever came out of the Wild Card round.
Now, they’ll finally take the field again, hosting the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 4:30 p.m. ET.
For the Bills, this postseason run has already been a grind. Coming in as the AFC’s No. 6 seed, they had to go on the road and outlast the Jacksonville Jaguars in a tight 27-24 win. That victory showed grit - and now they’ll need even more of it as they head into one of the toughest environments in football to face a well-rested Denver squad.
Whoever comes out on top in this one won’t know their AFC Championship opponent until Sunday, but the path is clear: beat a top-tier opponent now, and you're one win away from Super Bowl 60.
What’s Next: Patriots or Texans Await
The winner of Bills-Broncos will move on to face either the New England Patriots or the Houston Texans in the AFC Championship Game.
If Denver wins, they’ll stay home for the conference title game - a huge advantage at altitude. If Buffalo pulls off the upset, they’ll be on the road again no matter who they face next.
Let’s break down the two possible opponents:
No. 2 Seed: New England Patriots
The Patriots have been one of the league’s most consistent teams all season, finishing 14-3 and locking up the No. 2 seed. The pairing of head coach Mike Vrabel and second-year quarterback Drake Maye has turned heads across the league. Maye’s growth has been rapid - he threw for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just eight picks in his sophomore campaign, earning legitimate MVP buzz.
In the Wild Card round, the Patriots hosted the No. 7 seed Los Angeles Chargers and won an ugly, low-scoring game 16-3. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective - and that’s often the hallmark of a team built for January football. With a defense that can grind games down and a young quarterback who’s already playing like a seasoned vet, New England is a dangerous draw for anyone.
No. 5 Seed: Houston Texans
If you’re looking for a defense that can flip a game on its head, look no further than the Texans. Houston has been creating chaos all season long, led by a ferocious pass rush and a ball-hawking secondary.
Four different Texans defenders notched four interceptions each this year, and the front seven is anchored by Danielle Hunter (15 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (12 sacks). That kind of production up front has made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
In the Wild Card round, the Texans went into Pittsburgh and turned a close game into a blowout. Leading 10-6 with just over 11 minutes to play, Houston’s defense took over - scoring a scoop-and-score touchdown, setting up an offensive touchdown, and then sealing the deal with a pick-six.
Final score: 30-6. That’s the kind of statement win that puts the rest of the AFC on notice.
Looking Ahead
So here we are. The Broncos are looking to protect their top seed and ride their home-field advantage all the way to the Super Bowl.
The Bills are trying to keep their road-warrior mentality alive and make another deep playoff run. And waiting in the wings are two very different, but equally dangerous, AFC contenders in the Patriots and Texans.
This is the point in the playoffs where the margin for error disappears. Every snap matters.
Every decision counts. And for the four teams left standing in the AFC, the road to Super Bowl 60 is about to get even tougher.
Buckle up.