The AFC bracket in the NFL playoffs is now clear. The Buffalo Bills advance to the divisional round and a home date with the Baltimore Ravens after beating the upstart Denver Broncos 31-7. In our Broncos vs Bills Wild Card recap, despite the game ending in a blowout, Denver put a scare into Buffalo and gained valuable experience for the future.
Buffalo covered the 7.5-point spread.
Get Sean Payton Some Truth Serum
Broncos head coach Sean Payton was disappointed by the loss. However, if he were cornered and coerced into admitting the obvious, he would say making the playoffs was a great accomplishment since they managed it with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, a mediocre rushing attack, a tight end by committee, and a reliance on a defense that allowed the third-fewest points in the league.
They shook Buffalo with a rapid first-quarter touchdown on a 43-yard pass from Nix to Troy Franklin. Trailing 10-7 just over five minutes into the second quarter, Payton called for a fake punt. Riley Dixon completed a pass to Marvin Mims and a first down.
However, the drive stalled and they needed to punt again. They kicked it away.
They could have tied it as time ran out in the first half, but kicker Wil Lutz hit the upright with a loud GONK!!! In the second half, Buffalo scored 21 unanswered points to win going away.
For Denver to make the playoffs in Payton’s second year is a quicker-than-anticipated step toward their Super Bowl objective.
Buffalo’s Efficient Performance Did the Job, But…
Quarterback Josh Allen went 20 for 26 with two touchdown passes. Running back James Cook carried the ball 23 times for 120 yards and one touchdown.
Overall, Buffalo amassed 210 yards on the ground and overwhelmed Denver in time-of-possession, holding the ball for almost 42 minutes. Neither team turned the ball over. Buffalo’s defense was excellent, holding Denver to 224 total yards.
Still, there are concerns as the Bills welcome the Ravens for the divisional round. The teams met in Week 4 in Baltimore, a 35-10 Ravens win. Derrick Henry ran for 199 yards.
The win over the Broncos portended how Buffalo plans to deal with Lamar Jackson and Henry: Keep them off the field. The question is whether they can pull it off. Baltimore was so dominating against Pittsburgh and seems to be on a mission. Buffalo cannot get off to a slow start as it did against Denver or they might find themselves down three scores at halftime.
Oddsmakers Have Baltimore-Buffalo as a Pick’em
The Broncos vs Bills Wild Card recap is undoubtedly a positive for Buffalo. But the slow start is worrisome.
In the immediate aftermath of the Bills’ win, Baltimore-Buffalo has been labeled as a pick’em. The odds are sure to move as the week progresses. At first glance, it will be a tough game for both teams with a good chance that the winner will advance to the Super Bowl.
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