Bills Defeat Broncos 31-7 in Wild Card Game

The Denver Broncos faced a disappointing 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in their AFC wild-card playoff game, highlighting a significant gap between the two teams. The Broncos started strong with a touchdown on their opening drive but struggled offensively afterward, failing to score again and generating only 224 total yards. Buffalo dominated the ground game, accumulating 210 rushing yards, while the Broncos' defense, which had been strong all season, faltered under pressure from quarterback Josh Allen, who threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns. Denver's head coach Sean Payton admitted shortcomings in coaching and execution, noting the need for improvement to compete with elite teams. Despite a brief moment of success, such as a successful fake punt, the Broncos' inability to sustain drives and missed opportunities, like a failed field goal, sealed their fate. As they exit the postseason, the Broncos are left to reevaluate their performance and strategize for a more competitive future.