Buffalo Bills – Denver Broncos: 31-7
Starting off very strong by scoring in their 5th game, the Broncos then completely stalled and were no longer able to score a single point. If the defense tried to hold on as long as possible, it ended up exploding after the break, exhausted by the repetition of efforts. The diligent and serious Bills, like their quarterback, Josh Allen, rolled out a perfect game plan.
The key moment: Ty Johnson's touchdown
In front of the score but far from being safe, Buffalo is betting on trying a 4th attempt rather than taking 3 more points. Josh Allen has time, a lot of time, he throws and finds his running back Ty Johnson who makes a reception at the very edge of the end zone. In the process, the Bills succeed in the 2-point conversion and break away.
The MVP: James Cook and Josh Allen
Each half has its own MVP. If James Cook literally carried Buffalo before the break, wearing down the defense. Josh Allen exploited his teammate's work by cutting up the Broncos after returning from the locker room. With more than 300 cumulative yards (272 passing, 46 rushing), the quarterback had a game of great serenity and efficiency.
The flop: the Denver attack
Starting off with a touchdown after only 5 plays on a long pass from Bo Nix, the Broncos did not score a single point thereafter. Less than 150 yards in the air, less than 100 yards on the ground, they were completely extinguished by the Bills defense.
The stat: 41
The number of minutes of possession for the Bills. They completely confiscated the leather, notably by completely blocking the Broncos' attack. By being on the field so much, Denver's very good defense ended up exhausting itself and completely breaking down.
Film of the match
You shouldn't arrive late at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo. For his 1er playoff match, Bo Nix hit the ground running. Just two minutes and five plays, and the first rookie quarterback to start a playoff game for Denver throws a 43-yard warhead for a touchdown by Troy Franklin. Picked cold, Buffalo tries to respond but comes up against the gates of the red zone and settles for a field goal.
The Bills insist on the ground and pound. And it pays off. James Cook concludes a long possession of more than 7 minutes. After getting off to a flying start, the Broncos stalled. And despite a successful daring fake punt, they punted twice and saw a field goal pushed back by the post just before the break.
Things don't get better after returning from the locker room. Two new punts and only 4 short yards. Sean Payton can't find the keys and his team is at a standstill. The Buffalo offense quickly returned to the field, controlled the clock and began to gain the upper hand. And the points start to add up. Two touchdowns in quick succession. The Bills just killed the suspense.
Josh Allen let loose and exploited the fatigue of a defense that spent more than 31 minutes on the field in 3 quarters. Bo Nix tries to go alone but loses his teeth. Buffalo finishes the job. The defense puts the final nail on the Broncos' coffin. And Mitch Trubisky filled in for Josh Allen who was slightly cut on his thumb.
And now ?
The Bills continue their quest and will host the Ravens, authoritarian winners of the Steelers yesterday. Clearly defeated in the regular season, Buffalo will have to reproduce the great seriousness with which they managed this match against Denver. A tempting confrontation between the two AFC teams who have shown their best side in recent weeks.
After 9 years of absence, the Broncos returned to the playoffs. The season is therefore successful. But this squad still needs to grow and strengthen to really claim to play spoilsport in the AFC. Bo Nix showed great things in his rookie season and gives real reasons for hope for the future.
