ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills delivered a commanding performance in their wild-card playoff game, securing a decisive 31-7 victory over the Denver Broncos. Quarterback josh Allen was instrumental, throwing two touchdown passes, while running back James Cook added a 5-yard rushing touchdown and finished the game wiht an impressive 120 yards on the ground. The Bills’ balanced offensive strategy proved too much for the Broncos,who struggled too keep pace throughout the contest.
Buffalo’s dominance was evident early on, as they scored on six of their first seven drives, building a commanding 31-7 lead.Their ability to control the clock was a key factor,with the Bills holding the ball for 23 minutes longer than their opponents. Despite a strong start by Denver, highlighted by rookie quarterback Bo Nix’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Troy Franklin on the opening drive, the Broncos couldn’t sustain their momentum.
Allen’s leadership shone through in critical moments. with the Bills leading 13-7, he connected with Ty Johnson on a 24-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-1 late in the third quarter.Reflecting on the play, Allen praised Johnson’s versatility, saying, “I’ve been saying it all year long that Ty Johnson’s the best third-down back in football. The things that he’s able to do for us, the way we communicate, him in the pass game, blocking and running the ball. He does it all. I’m so happy for him, so proud of him. he made a heck of a play. It was fourth down, no point in holding it and taking a sack there.They played man (coverage) and I just gave him a chance.”
The Bills continued to pile on the pressure, with Allen launching a 55-yard pass to Curtis Samuel early in the fourth quarter. This victory marked Buffalo’s fifth consecutive trip to the divisional round,where they are set to face the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, fresh off a 28-14 win over Pittsburgh, previously defeated the Bills 35-10 in Week 4 of the regular season. Allen acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “Well, they got after us earlier this year. So we’ve got a lot of film to watch. It’s a great team. It’s a great quarterback, obviously with lamar and what he’s able to do. He’s one of the most dynamic, if not the most dynamic, quarterback in the league. He’s so fun to watch. But I’ll be watching their defence this week, so that’s our focus.”
Cook’s performance was historic, as he became the first Bills player to rush for over 100 yards in a playoff game as Thurman Thomas in 1995. Meanwhile, Allen’s 20-of-26 passing for 272 yards and two touchdowns elevated his playoff total to 23 passing touchdowns, surpassing the franchise record previously held by Hall of Famer Jim Kelly.
For the Broncos, the game was a stark reminder of their struggles in recent years. Making their first playoff appearance since their Super Bowl-winning season in 2015, Denver was outmatched in nearly every aspect. Nix finished the game 13-of-22 for 144 yards, but the Broncos’ offense sputtered, punting four times and turning the ball over on downs twice. Their defense, which led the NFL with 63 sacks during the regular season, managed to sack Allen only twice.
Despite a minor injury to his throwing hand,Allen remained in the game,leading the Bills to a 34-yard field goal by Tyler Bass before being replaced by backup Mitchell Trubisky. “Oh, it’s good. I’ve just got a little blood there. It’s fine. We’re fine,” Allen said afterward, downplaying the issue.
The Broncos’ lone shining spot came early in the second quarter when Cook’s 13-play, 81-yard drive culminated in a go-ahead touchdown. However, denver’s inability to respond effectively left them trailing 10-7 at halftime.A missed 50-yard field goal attempt by Wil lutz as time expired in the first half further compounded their woes. Lutz had previously converted 41 consecutive attempts, making the miss all the more surprising.
With this win, the Bills improved to 13-1 at home since november 2023, with their only loss coming against Kansas City in last year’s divisional playoff round. Their all-time postseason home record now stands at 16-5. conversely, the Broncos fell to 2-7 in wild-card games, with all seven losses occurring on the road.
As the Bills prepare to face the ravens, their focus will be on overcoming past struggles and advancing further in the playoffs. For the Broncos, the offseason will be a time for reflection and rebuilding as they aim to return to their former glory.
How did the offensive line’s performance contribute to the Bills’ success in the playoff game against the Broncos?
Interview with Josh allen: Reflecting on the Buffalo Bills’ Wild-Card Victory
By Archys,Archyde News Editor
Orchard Park,N.Y. — Following the Buffalo Bills’ dominant 31-7 victory over the Denver Broncos in the wild-card playoff game, I had the privilege of sitting down with star quarterback Josh Allen to discuss the team’s performance, his leadership on the field, and what lies ahead for the bills as they advance in the playoffs.
Archyde: Josh,congratulations on the win. The Bills looked unstoppable out there. What was the key to the team’s success tonight?
Josh Allen: Thank you! it was a total team effort.We came in with a game plan to stay balanced—run the ball,take what the defense gave us,and capitalize on opportunities. James Cook was phenomenal on the ground, and our offensive line gave me the time I needed to make plays. When everyone’s clicking like that, it’s tough for any defense to stop us.
Archyde: Speaking of James Cook, he had a huge night with 120 rushing yards and a touchdown. How notable is it to have that kind of production from the running game in the playoffs?
Josh Allen: It’s massive. Playoff football is about controlling the game,and the running game is a huge part of that. James has been a workhorse for us all season, and tonight he showed why. When you can run the ball effectively, it opens up everything else—play-action, deep shots, everything. It keeps the defense guessing and wears them down over time.
Archyde: You mentioned the offensive line. they’ve been a bit inconsistent at times this season, but tonight they seemed to dominate. What changed?
Josh Allen: Honestly, it’s just about trust and execution. We’ve had some ups and downs, but this group has been working their tails off. They know how important this time of year is, and they stepped up in a big way. I can’t say enough about how well they played tonight.
Archyde: Let’s talk about that fourth-and-1 touchdown pass to ty Johnson in the third quarter. That was a gutsy call. What went through your mind on that play?
Josh Allen: (laughs) Yeah, it was a big moment. We were up 13-7, and I knew we needed to keep the momentum. They were playing man coverage, and Ty’s been so reliable for us all year. I trusted him to make a play, and he did exactly that. It’s one of those moments where you just have to trust your instincts and your teammates. Ty’s the best third-down back in the league, and he showed why tonight.
Archyde: You’ve been vocal about Ty Johnson’s versatility all season. What makes him such a special player?
Josh Allen: Ty does it all—running, blocking, catching passes. He’s a Swiss army knife for us. But more than that, he’s just a guy who’s always ready to step up when we need him. He’s selfless, works hard, and never complains. Those are the kind of guys you want in your locker room, especially in the playoffs.
Archyde: The defense also had a strong showing tonight, holding the Broncos to just 7 points after their opening drive. How much does that help you as an offense?
Josh Allen: It’s huge. Our defense has been playing lights out lately, and they set the tone early. When they’re playing like that, it takes a lot of pressure off us as an offense.We know we don’t have to score on every drive because they’re going to get stops and give us the ball back.It’s a great feeling to have that kind of trust in your defense.
Archyde: Looking ahead, the Bills are moving on to the next round of the playoffs. What’s the mindset of the team right now?
Josh Allen: One game at a time.We’re not looking past anyone. Every team in the playoffs is perilous, and we have to bring our best every week. We’ll enjoy this win tonight, but tommorow it’s back to work. We’ve got a lot of goals still in front of us, and we’re focused on taking it one step at a time.
Archyde: Josh, what’s your message to Bills Mafia after tonight’s win?
Josh Allen: (smiles) Just thank you.The support we get from Bills Mafia is unreal. They’re the best fans in the league, and we feel that energy every time we step on the field. We’re going to keep fighting for them and make them proud. Let’s keep this thing rolling!
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills will now prepare for their next playoff matchup as they continue their quest for a Super Bowl title. Stay tuned to Archyde for more updates and analysis.
