NFLGame PreviewsBUF VS DEN Preview Divisional 17-JAN-2026

Game Preview of ​Buffalo Bills @ Denver Broncos. Divisional Playoff Weekend of 2025-26 NFL Season

BUF logo

BUF

13-5-0
@
17JAN26
04:30pm
DEN logo

DEN

14-3-0
Empower Field at Mile High

Game Preview

The Bills head to Denver for the AFC Divisional Round on January 17, 2026. Kickoff is set for 4:30 PM ET at Empower Field at Mile High. This one comes with a clear theme: can Buffalo handle Denver’s defense in a tough road spot.

Denver’s profile starts up front. The Broncos finished as an elite sack team, and they turn pressure into sacks at the best rate in the league. That matters because Buffalo’s pass protection was shaky all season.

Buffalo can still land punches. The Bills create explosive pass plays at a top-10 rate, and they score touchdowns when they get into the red zone. The problem is Denver is built to take those comforts away.

Injuries tilt the board, too. Buffalo lists several defensive backs out, and the receiver room has taken hits across the season. If the Bills cannot separate outside, Josh Allen may have to win with tight ends, checkdowns, and his legs.

Current Season Form

BUF logo

BUF

Away
Record:13-5-0
ATS:9-9-0
O/U:9-9-0
DEN logo

DEN

Home
Record:14-3-0
ATS:7-10-0
O/U:7-10-0

Head-to-Head Summary

Record:
4-1Winner logo
ATS:4-1-0
O/U:2-3-0

Past Results

DateOpponentResultATSO/U
2026-01-04vs LACW 19-3W +14.5u37.5
2025-12-25@ KCW 20-13W +-13.5u37.5
2025-12-21vs JAXL 20-34L 3.5o46.5
2025-12-14vs GBW 34-26W +-1.5o42.5
2025-12-07@ LVW 24-17W +-8.5o40.5
2025-11-30@ WASW 27-26W +-6.5o43.5
2025-11-16vs KCW 22-19L -3.5u44.5
2025-11-06vs LVW 10-7W +9.5u42.5
2025-11-02@ HOUW 18-15W +1.5u40.5
2025-10-26vs DALW 44-24W +3.5o51.5

Key Insights

 

  • Denver’s pass rush is a real problem for Buffalo’s line: the Bills allowed sacks on 7.8% of dropbacks (22nd percentile) while the Broncos generated sacks on 9.7% (100th percentile).

  • The Broncos make big passes hard to find. They allowed explosive passes at just 4.8% (97th percentile).

  • Buffalo lives on explosive throws, with a 9.6% explosive pass rate (89th percentile). That clash shapes the whole game.

  • Third down can decide tempo. Denver posted a 66.0% third-down stop rate (100th percentile), which can force punts and shorten the game.

  • Buffalo’s defense has injury stress points inside and on the back end, including DT Jordan Phillips on IR and starting safety Jordan Poyer out.

  • Denver does not rely on takeaways. The Broncos’ turnover generation rate sat at 1.4% (31st percentile), so they can win without needing “gift” possessions.

 

Betting Insights

 

  • Broncos -3.0 (+116): You get plus money on the key number. That fits a Denver script built on sacks and third-down stops (both 100th percentile traits).

  • Bills +3.0 (-156): This is heavy juice, meaning you pay extra to hold the field goal. If you play it, you are buying safety, not value.

  • Under 46.5 (-128): The price leans under. Denver’s defense limits explosives (97th percentile in explosive passes allowed), which can force longer drives and fewer quick scores.

  • Broncos moneyline (-116): This is the simple “win the game” angle. It pairs with Denver’s edge in pass rush and third down.

  • Josh Allen Under 209.5 passing yards (-119): Denver’s coverage plus pass rush can squeeze the easy explosives Buffalo wants.

  • Josh Allen Over 35.5 rushing yards (-123): If protection breaks down, Allen’s legs become Buffalo’s pressure release. Rushing props still swing on game script, so keep the stake modest.

 

Final Summary

Denver has the cleanest matchup edge on paper: pressure. The Broncos generate sacks at an elite rate, and Buffalo’s line has shown cracks. If Denver wins early downs and earns long-yardage throws, it can control the game.

Buffalo’s path is narrower but real. The Bills can still create chunk gains, and they finish in the red zone at a high rate. But Denver’s defense is designed to limit both of those things.

Injuries add another layer. Buffalo is missing key pieces in the secondary, and the offense has dealt with wide receiver losses. That can push more volume to tight ends, backs, and Allen’s scrambles.

The betting market reflects a tight, defense-tilted game. Broncos -3 at plus money is a notable shape, while the total sits in the mid-40s with the under slightly favored. No matter the side, remember playoff games swing on a few plays, and sacks and turnovers can flip everything fast.

Statistical Battle Boards

Viewing: DEN Offense vs BUF Defense
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Total Points257#17252#18DEN advantage
Total Points Per Game23.4#1622.9#17DEN advantage
Total Touchdowns29#1729#17🏈
Passing Touchdowns18#1312#6BUF advantage
Rushing Touchdowns11#1517#31DEN advantage
Other Touchdowns0#310#5BUF advantage
Total Kicking Points75#2376#21BUF advantage
Total Two Point Conversions4#21#19DEN advantage
Kick Extra Points24#1722#22DEN advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Net Passing Yards2343#171850#32DEN advantage
Net Passing Yards Per Game213#17168#32DEN advantage
Passer Rating85.9#2484.2#27DEN advantage
Passing Attempts388#8302#1BUF advantage
Completions237#15184#32DEN advantage
Completion Percentage61.1#2560.9#6BUF advantage
Passing 1st downs118#1897#3BUF advantage
Passing 1st Down %57.0#1347.5#2BUF advantage
Longest Pass52#2640#32DEN advantage
Passing Fumbles Lost2#183#15BUF advantage
Receiving Targets367#10285#32DEN advantage
Receptions237#15184#1BUF advantage
Receiving Yards After Catch1294#11879#1BUF advantage
YAC Average5.5#94.8#9🏈
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Rushing Yards1345#121638#30DEN advantage
Rushing Yards Per Game122#11149#3BUF advantage
Rushing Attempts291#19308#22DEN advantage
Yards Per Rush Attempt4.6#115.3#2BUF advantage
Rushing 1st downs69#2389#28DEN advantage
20+ Yard Rushing Plays9#711#3BUF advantage
Long Rushing50#1881#2BUF advantage
Rushing Fumbles9#711#3BUF advantage
Rushing Fumbles Lost0#273#6BUF advantage