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After their first-round bye and securing the No. 1 seed in the conference, the Denver Broncos will host the No. 6 seed Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen, who willed his team to a wild-card victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, now sets his sights on returning to the game he has struggled to win in previous years. This time, the key difference is the absence of Patrick Mahomes and the three-time AFC champion Chiefs.
The Broncos, after going 14-3 in the regular season, are the top contenders in the AFC, in large part due to their defense. They will rely on this unit to limit Allen and company, with Mile High making it even more challenging for them to operate their offense.
The Sporting News is tracking live scores, updates, and highlights as the Broncos host the Bills in the Divisional Round. Follow along to see all the action from Mile High.
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Bills vs. Broncos live updates, highlights from 2026 NFL playoff gameBroncos 10, Bills 7
5:25 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Denver makes the most of the Cook fumble and scores on some trickery. Frank Crum, the offensive tackle, caught a touchdown pass from Bo Nix.
FRANK CRUM BIG MAN TD
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— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2026
The Broncos take the lead off of some creativity from Sean Payton.
5:17 p.m.: Cook was drilled by Alex Singleton and fumbled the ball. The Broncos recovered it, and now Denver has excellent field position.
Broncos ball! Alex Singleton forces the fumble 😳
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— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2026
This marks Cook’s fourth fumble of the season which is tied for the most among other RBs.
That fumble was James Cook’s fourth of the year, including regular season, most among RBs, and one more than he had in his first three seasons combined, per @ESPNInsights.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) January 17, 2026
5:15 p.m.: Allen scrambles for a 25-yard run, Buffalo dominating on the ground. They’ve already picked up 75 yards on only 10 carries.
5:11 p.m.: The Broncos are unable to do anything on their second drive of the game. Courtland Sutton nearly made a diving catch on third down, but it was ruled incomplete.
The Bills will send Allen and company back onto the field, looking to extend their lead.
End of the first quarter: Bills 7, Broncos 3
5:07 p.m.: At the end of one, both offenses had promising opening drives, but only one was able to capitalize with six. Cook was spectacular on the Bills’ first drive, as was Allen.
The Broncos fumbled on the final play of the opening quarter but recovered. It will be 2 and 10 after the break for Denver
Bills 7, Broncos 3
5:04 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: With Cook and Allen dominating Denver with the ground game, Allen only needed to complete four passes.
Mecole Hardman playoff TDs are back!
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— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2026
Allen was able to complete a 4-yard pass to Mecole Hardman to put the Bills on top just before the opening quarter is about to end.
4:55 p.m.: Pat Surtain looked shaken up and is heading towards the blue medical tent. The Broncos certainly cannot afford to lose their all-pro corner.
4:54 p.m.: After having a technical issue with his helmet, Allen was forced to call a timeout. Allen changed his helmet and is now set to go.
4:53 p.m.: James Cook picks up a chunk play on the first play for the Buffalo Bills on offense. Cook picked up 24 yards on his first carry.
24 yards from James Cook on the Bills’ first offensive snap!
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— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2026Broncos 3, Bills 0
4:50 p.m. FIELD GOAL: After a dropped touchdown by Lil’Jordan Humphrey, the Broncos have to settle for a field goal in the red zone. Will Lutz drilled the 28-yarder to open up the scoring.
4:49 p.m.: The Broncos were fortunate that a fumble was overturned due to an offside by the Bills.
4:46 p.m.: On 4th down, the Broncos once again run Nix, and he picks up the first down. The Broncos’ offense had picked up four first downs on this drive.
4:43 p.m.: After a completion for a first down on the first throw of the game, Jaleel McLaughlin showed incredible effort to gain five yards. Pat Bryant, who had three catches on the opening drive, was a bit shaken up.
On the first third down for the Broncos, Nix keeps it for a 5-yard run and first down. The Broncos are driving into Buffalo territory on the opening drive.
Bo had the defense fooled on the read option
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— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2026
4:35 p.m.: Bills’ Dorian Williams on special teams was in a huge collision on the opening kickoff and is down, injury timeout in Denver.
The entire Bills team has come off the sideline to check on Dorian Williams. He is able to get up and come off the field supported by Bills staff.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) January 17, 2026
4:33 p.m.: The Bills have deferred, which means Bo Nix and the Broncos offense will take the field first.
4:20 p.m.: Josh Allen firing up his guys before they take the field at Denver. Allen is 8-1 in playoff games when he doesn’t play Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow.
“Find a way to get it done.” – @JoshAllenQB @DriveToyota | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/amaL8KgNCI
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 17, 2026
4:18 p.m.: Almost that time from Mile High.
Playoff mode. 🔒#BUFvsDEN pic.twitter.com/v2khU1REG7
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 17, 2026
4:08 p.m.: Several members of the Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 winning team are in attendance, cheering on their former organization.
Feels like a Super Bowl 50 reunion at Broncos-Bills. Players that are at the game:
Peyton Manning
Aqib Talib
Bennie Fowler
Emmanuel Sanders
Derek Wolfe
Other Broncos legends:
Terrell Davis
Rod Smith
Shannon Sharpe
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) January 17, 2026
The Broncos will look to advance to the AFC Championship for the first time since Super Bowl 50, when that team did so in the 2015-16 season.
3:52 p.m.: Bronco legend Peyton Manning is in the building to root on his former team.
Peyton sighting 👋
BUFvsDEN — 4:30pm ET on CBS/Paramount+
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— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2026
The last time the organization reached the AFC Championship was under Manning’s leadership. The Broncos eventually won the Super Bowl with that team.
3:43 p.m.: Josh Allen warming up at Mile High.
Josh Allen getting a feel for things in Denver.
BUFvsDEN– 4:30pm ET on CBS/Paramount+
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— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2026
Allen, who played at Wyoming in college, is used to elevated stadiums as his former school is the highest in the NCAA at 7,200 feet.
3:18 p.m.: Courtland Sutton can be seen warming up for the Broncos home divisional playoff game against the Bills.
Courtland Sutton getting ready for the Divisional Round showdown
Needs to have a big day 🤞🏻#BroncosCountry | 🎥 @NFL pic.twitter.com/7Z5zEJpPPM
— SleeperBroncos (@SleeperBroncos) January 17, 2026
Sutton was the Broncos’ leading receiver this season with 1,017 receiving yards on 74 receptions.
3:14 p.m.: The Broncos released their active and inactive lists ahead of their divisional-round game against the Bills.
👀 our inactives for #BUFvsDEN.
📰 » https://t.co/A39rHrNNBs pic.twitter.com/yAGLSLPmCf
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 17, 2026
3:10 p.m.: The Bills released their active and inactive lists ahead of their divisional-round game against the Broncos.
Bills inactives for today’s game include RB Ty Johnson.
WR Curtis Samuel officially is active. pic.twitter.com/u5isyxB3uT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 17, 2026
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel is officially active after coming into this contest as questionable.
2:38 p.m.: Bills running back James Cook has arrived at Mile High to face the Broncos. The NFL rushing leader will look to have another explosive game against Denver in the playoffs.
The NFL’s rushing king.
James Cook.#BillsMafia @BuffaloPlus pic.twitter.com/ujRkYfxyyr
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) January 17, 2026
When these two teams faced off in the postseason last year, Cook torched the Broncos for 120 rushing yards and a touchdown in the Bills’ win.
2:25 p.m.: Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has made his way out onto the field for some workouts ahead of his battle with the Bills.
Bo Nix has clocked in ⏰ pic.twitter.com/lJ9VhY6uqS
— KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM (@KOAColorado) January 17, 2026
Nix is looking not only to advance to the AFC Championship but also secure his first career playoff win.
2 p.m.: Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard is appearing to go through pre-game workouts out on the field. Bernard enters this game questionable with a calf injury.
Bills LB Terrel Bernard appears to be going through a pre-game workout on the field with the strength and conditioning staff. Bernard is questionable with a calf injury.
— Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) January 17, 2026
Bernard was a key contributor on that Bills defense, stacking up 65 total tackles and 44 solos during the regular season.
1:56 p.m.: Will the Denver Broncos be able to shake off the rust against a red-hot Josh Allen and company?
“That bye week leads to rust… I’m really worried about Denver for that.” @RealLoganRyan pic.twitter.com/a6V5kkH0ua
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 17, 2026
Quarterback Bo Nix will have to settle in and potentially close an early gap. The Broncos have not played a starting quarterback in nearly three weeks.
1:49 p.m.: Bills quarterback Josh Allen arrives to face the Broncos in the divisional round of the playoffs. Allen aims to lead Buffalo to the AFC Championship for the second consecutive year.
Josh Allen arrives looking to get Bills back to AFC Title game pic.twitter.com/oiLYoNjDFB
— Mike Catalana (@MikeCatalana) January 17, 2026
The first two times Allen faced Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, he lost. However, this season, he would face either the New England Patriots or the Houston Texans.
1:45 p.m.: Bills defensive ends Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa arrive at Empower Field at Mile High ahead of their divisional clash with the Broncos.
Greg Rousseau and a more aerodynamic Joey Bosa arrive for the division divisional playoff.#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/XjYxQVuRVm
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) January 17, 2026
Bosa will look to make an impact and reach his first ever conference championship game with a win in Denver.
1:38 p.m.: Denver will aim to get back to the AFC Championship for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
🗣️ IT’S A PLAYOFF GAMEDAY IN THE MILE HIGH CITY!#ClimbHigher x #BUFvsDEN pic.twitter.com/Jo6YUbwMeE
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 17, 2026
The last time this happened, Peyton Manning was the Broncos’ quarterback, and Cam Newton was the league MVP. The Broncos, of course, won the Super Bowl that year over the Carolina Panthers.
1:24 p.m.: Buffalo will look to get back to the AFC Championship for the third time in the last six seasons with an appearance in 2021 and 2025.
GO BILLS‼️@NorthtownAuto | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/mrjirUpit3
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 17, 2026
A win over the Broncos today would mark the eighth time the Bills organization has reached the conference championship, tying them with the Kansas City Chiefs for all-time appearances in the AFC.
1:16 p.m.: Josh Allen has a chance to tie or make NFL history with just one rushing touchdown today against the Broncos.
Josh Allen has nine postseason rushing touchdowns after scoring two in the Wild Card round at Jacksonville 👏
With one Rush TD in today’s game against the Broncos, he can tie Jalen Hurts for the most by a QB in postseason history. pic.twitter.com/tiyXH7TsFI
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) January 17, 2026
Allen, sitting at nine, will only need one more to tie Jalen Hurts for the most rushing touchdowns by a QB in the postseason.
MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFFS:
Where to watch Bills vs. BroncosBills vs. Broncos start timeDate: Saturday, Jan. 17Time: 4:30 p.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. PT
Broncos vs. Bills will kick off from Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 17.
What channel is Bills vs. Broncos on today?TV channel: CBSLive stream: Fubo
Broncos vs. Bills will air nationally on CBS. Jim Nantz will be in the broadcast booth as the play-by-play analyst, and he will be joined by former quarterback Tony Romo serving as the color commentator. Tracy Wolfson will be the sideline reporter.
NFL playoff schedule 2026Wild-card round
Saturday, January 10
MatchupTimeTV ChannelRams 34, Panthers 31—-Bears 31, Packers 27
Sunday, January 11
MatchupTimeTV ChannelBills 27, Jaguars 24—-49ers 23, Eagles 19—-Patriots 16, Chargers 3—-
Monday, January 12
MatchupTimeTV ChannelTexans 30, Steelers 6—-Divisional round
Saturday, January 17
MatchupTime (ET)TV ChannelBills vs. Broncos4:30 p.m.CBS49ers vs. Seahawks8:00 p.m.Fox
Sunday, January 18
MatchupTime (ET)TV ChannelTexans vs. Patriots3:00 p.m.ABC/ESPNRams vs. Bears6:30 p.m.NBCConference championship roundMatchupTime (ET)TV ChannelTBD vs. TBD3:00 p.m.CBSTBD vs. TBD6:30 p.m.FoxSuper BowlMatchupTime (ET)TV ChannelTBD vs. TBD6:30 p.m.NBC