The Denver Broncos are returning to the AFC Championship for the first time in a decade after defeating the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime. It appeared the Bills were poised to take the win in overtime, but Ja’Quan McMillian made a pivotal interception on a deep pass from Josh Allen. The Broncos took possession at their own 20 and, aided by two defensive pass interference calls totaling 47 yards, advanced down the field for a game-winning field goal.
Denver looked set to clinch it in regulation when Bo Nix linked up with Marvin Mims, Jr. for a 26-yard go-ahead touchdown with 55 seconds remaining. However, Buffalo managed to drive down the field and set Matt Prater up for a game-tying kick in the dying moments of regulation, forcing the game into overtime.
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The match was closely contested, but Buffalo continually hampered their chances with turnovers. Josh Allen threw an interception and lost two fumbles, while James Cook also lost one. Had the Bills managed to avoid any of those turnovers, it could have significantly altered the outcome in regulation. Instead, they are heading home while the Broncos remain to host the AFC Championship.
Denver Broncos’ upcoming playoff rival
Sunday update: The Patriots triumphed over the Texans 28-16 in the Divisional Round. They will head to oppose the Broncos in the AFC Championship.
The Broncos will face the victor of Sunday’s clash between the Texans and Patriots. That matchup starts at 3 p.m. ET. The AFC Championship will commence at around 3 p.m. ET next Sunday. The Texans defeated the Steelers on the road in the Wild Card round, while the Patriots overcame the Chargers at home.
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Historical matchup vs. potential adversaries
Record vs. Patriots: 27-23 regular season, 4-1 postseason
The Broncos and Patriots have been rivals since their AFL days, but they haven’t faced each other since Christmas Eve of 2023. Their most recent playoff encounter took place in 2016 when Peyton Manning and Tom Brady were the stars of their teams. They clashed in the 2016 AFC Championship, where the Broncos emerged victorious 20-18 in the last duel between these two iconic quarterbacks. Denver subsequently claimed Super Bowl 50 that year at Levi’s Stadium — the same venue for this year’s Super Bowl.
Record vs. Texans: 7-4 regular season
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Denver and Houston share a brief history and have never met in the playoffs. They did face off this season, with the Broncos clinching a narrow 18-15 win in Week 9 on a field goal by Wil Lutz as time expired in the fourth quarter.
Early AFC Championship betting odds
Broncos vs. Patriots
Spread: Patriots -4.5
Total: 40.5
Moneyline: Patriots -245, Broncos +200
Broncos vs. Texans
Spread: Texans -3.5
Total: 34.5
Moneyline: Texans -176, Broncos +148
Denver Broncos playoff legacy
The Broncos are on their way back to the AFC Championship for the first time since 2016. That year, they defeated the Patriots to progress to Super Bowl 50, where they bested the Panthers to lift the Lombardi Trophy. Coincidentally, Denver was the top seed and secured the Super Bowl title at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, which is also the venue for this year’s Super Bowl.
This marks the 11th occasion the Broncos have reached the AFC Championship. They have emerged victorious eight times and faced defeat twice.
