Broncos Survive the Chaos, Stun Bills 33–30 in Overtime to Reach AFC Championship

By Larry Belmontes

Date: 1/18/26

Pure January madness at Empower Field at Mile High!

In one of the most chaotic, emotional, and defining games of the 2025 NFL postseason, the Denver Broncos outlasted the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime, punching their ticket to the AFC Championship Game in front of 77,043 roaring fans!

It was a game that had everything: momentum swings, late game heroics, costly mistakes, and one final, season-altering turnover that once again left Buffalo asking the same painful question, how did it end like this?

A Game That Refused to End

Buffalo struck first, marching 67 yards late in the opening quarter and finishing with a Josh Allen touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman Jr. But Denver responded with resilience, slowly imposing control behind rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who played with poise far beyond his years.

The Broncos rattled off 17 second-quarter points, highlighted by touchdown strikes to Frank Crum and Lil’Jordan Humphrey, then capped the half with a 50-yard Wil Lutz field goal as time expired. Denver went into halftime with a 20-10 lead and full command of the moment.

But Buffalo never panics, and never goes quietly.

Josh Allen answered with precision in the second half, connecting with Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid as the Bills clawed their way back. A Matt Prater field goal with just over four minutes remaining gave Buffalo a 27-23 lead, and when Prater drilled another 50 yarder with five seconds left, overtime felt inevitable.

Bo Nix Delivers, But At a Cost

With 55 seconds left in regulation, Bo Nix delivered the throw of his young career, a 26 yard strike to Marvin Mims Jr. to put Denver back on top, 30-27. The stadium erupted. The Broncos were one stop away.

They didn’t get it…

Buffalo drove just far enough for Prater to force overtime, setting the stage for one final twist.

In overtime, Denver’s defense finally slammed the door.

Josh Allen took a deep shot and Ja’Quan McMillian made the play of the season, ripping the ball away for a game sealing interception. Three plays later, Wil Lutz calmly drilled a 23 yard field goal to send Denver to the AFC Championship Game.

Ballgame.

The Numbers That Tell the Story

Despite outgaining Denver 449-349 and dominating time of possession by over 11 minutes, Buffalo couldn’t overcome its own mistakes.

• Five turnovers by the Bills proved fatal

• Josh Allen: 25/39, 283 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs

• Bo Nix: 26/46, 279 yards, 3 TDs

• Denver went 1-for-4 in the red zone and still survived

It wasn’t clean. It wasn’t perfect. It was postseason football at its rawest.

A Brutal Ending and a Bigger Question for Buffalo

For Buffalo, it’s another devastating playoff exit. Another season with elite talent. Another moment where opportunity slipped away.

For Denver, it’s a breakthrough, even with devastating news looming. Shortly after the game, head coach Sean Payton confirmed that Bo Nix broke a bone in his ankle during overtime and will miss the remainder of the playoffs.

That reality makes this win even more remarkable.

The Broncos didn’t just survive the Bills, they survived chaos, pressure, and the weight of expectation.

And now, against all odds, they’re one win away from the Super Bowl.

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