Broncos stun Bills in overtime to punch ticket to AFC Championship Game
Denver stunned Buffalo with a 33–30 overtime win, sealed by a late interception and field goal. The victory sends the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game and ends the Bills’ Super Bowl hopes once again.
Denver is heading back to the AFC Championship Game after one of the wildest playoff finishes of the year. A late interception in overtime set the stage for a game-winning field goal, lifting the Denver Broncos to a dramatic 33–30 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night at Empower Field at Mile High.
A decisive turnover flips the game
The turning point came early in overtime. Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian stepped in front of a deep throw from Josh Allen, intercepting the pass at Denver’s 20-yard line. The takeaway was Denver’s fifth of the night and erased what would have been a potential game-winning field goal opportunity for Buffalo.
From there, rookie quarterback Bo Nix calmly guided the Broncos into scoring range, allowing kicker Wil Lutz to seal the win with a 24-yard field goal and send the stadium into a frenzy.
Late drama forces overtime
The final minutes of regulation delivered relentless swings. Buffalo forced overtime when former Bronco Matt Prater drilled a 50-yard field goal with five seconds remaining. That kick answered a clutch 26-yard touchdown pass from Nix to Marvin Mims Jr., which had briefly put Denver ahead with under a minute to play.
Penalty flags also played a role, as Buffalo was whistled twice for pass interference on Denver’s final drive, extending the possession and setting up the tying sequence.
A rare off night for Allen
Allen entered the game without a turnover in his previous six playoff appearances, but Denver’s defense consistently disrupted his rhythm. He finished the night with two interceptions and lost two fumbles on strip-sacks by Nik Bonitto. P.J. Locke added another interception, snapping Allen’s long postseason streak of consecutive completions without a pick.
The constant pressure proved decisive as Buffalo struggled to protect the football in the game’s biggest moments.
Injury concerns on both sidelines
Buffalo was already shorthanded defensively, missing key starters Jordan Poyer and Terrel Bernard. The situation worsened when linebacker Dorian Williams was injured on the opening kickoff and transported to hospital as a precaution. Ed Oliver exited late in the third quarter with a knee injury, adding another blow to an already thin defensive front.
Denver also absorbed losses, with wide receiver Pat Bryant leaving early after suffering a concussion and Troy Franklin sidelined by a hamstring injury in the second quarter.
What’s next for Denver and Buffalo
With the win, the Broncos advance to the AFC Championship Game for the first time in a decade. They will host either New England or Houston next Sunday, continuing a dominant run at Mile High where Denver has won 14 of its last 15 games.
For Buffalo, the loss brings another offseason of hard questions. With several AFC powerhouses already eliminated, the path appeared open, yet the Bills once again fell short of reaching the Super Bowl.
For Denver, the echoes of past playoff glory are back, and the chance to return to the league’s biggest stage is now just one win away.
