Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills took care of business in the wild-card round Sunday afternoon, dominating the Denver Broncos, 31-7, to advance to the divisional round.
The Bills will now host the Baltimore Ravens next week to see who gets a spot in the AFC Championship.
The Bills were heavy favorites going into this game, considering rookie quarterback Bo Nix was going to play his first road playoff game against a veteran Buffalo team when it came to January football.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the wild-card game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
But as he has all season, this game started with Nix trusting his talent and throwing a 43-yard strike to his former Oregon teammate Troy Franklin to give Texas a 7-0 lead. Denver.
However, even though the “Bills Mafia” was not very happy with this start to the competition, they knew that Allen, their favorite MVP, was not going to let them down.
What followed was 31 unanswered points from Buffalo, which started with a field goal and a touchdown on the team’s first two offensive drives.
DERRICK HENRY AND RAVENS RUN WILD TO WIN THE STEELERS IN NFL PLAYOFFS
The Bills’ first touchdown was scored by none other than James Cook, who co-led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns this season. He capped a 13-play drive with a five-yard barrel into the end zone to make it 10-7.
Cook finished the game with 120 rushing yards on 23 carries against a Denver defense that has been one of the best in the league all season.
Thanks to the Bills’ long, methodical drives, the first half ended with Broncos kicker Wil Lutz hitting the goal post with a field goal attempt to tie the game at 10 apiece, and it was about as close to the goal as the Broncos would see the rest. of the game.
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid is tackled by Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad during the AFC wild-card game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on January 12, 2025. (Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)
Buffalo scored on every drive in the second half except for kneeling down at the end of the game, which included touchdown passes from Allen to Ty Johnson on a ridiculous 24-yard throw and catch, and Curtis Samuel breaking free for a score of 55 yards. to truly seal the victory at 28-7 at the start of the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, Allen was efficient 20 of 26 for 272 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while rushing for 46 yards on eight carries.
Samuel was his best receiver in terms of yards thanks to this huge gain. He finished with 68, while Khalil Shakir had six catches for 61 yards.
Meanwhile, Nix was 13 of 22 for 144 yards with a touchdown, while rushing for 43 yards. The Bills were stingy when the Broncos attempted to establish a running game, limiting the Broncos to a total of 79 yards.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen celebrates with wide receiver Curtis Samuel after scoring a touchdown during the wild-card playoff game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Courtland Sutton was Denver’s leading receiver, as usual, making five catches for 75 yards.
