{"id":420215,"date":"2026-01-18T01:14:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T01:14:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/420215\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T01:14:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T01:14:24","slug":"bills-vs-broncos-score-live-updates-josh-allen-bo-nix-kick-off-divisional-round-with-rematch-of-last-years-wild-card-blowout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/420215\/","title":{"rendered":"Bills vs. Broncos score, live updates: Josh Allen, Bo Nix kick off divisional round with rematch of last year’s wild-card blowout"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buffalo and Denver kick off the divisional round of the playoffs <\/a>from the Mile High City on Saturday. This is a rematch of last postseason\u2019s wild-card matchup, which the Bills won easily, 31-7. That game was in Buffalo; this time, the Broncos have home-field advantage and the experience of another year under head coach Sean Payton, in which Denver won 14 games and claimed the No. 1 seed in the AFC.<\/p>\n

Buffalo took a step back this season, finishing in second place in the AFC East despite winning 12 games. The quick turnaround of the New England Patriots forced the Bills into a wild-card spot for the first time since 2019. If Buffalo is going to advance to the AFC title game for a second consecutive year, it\u2019ll need to get running back James Cook back on track after a 46-yard performance against the Jaguars last week. Josh Allen may need another Superman performance<\/a> \u2014 having just posted three touchdowns against Jacksonville in the wild card<\/a> \u2014 to overcome the Broncos.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

The Broncos had a stellar season in year three of the Sean Payton era, setting a new single-season career high for him as a head coach with 14 victories. Now, Denver needs to exercise a demon from last year<\/a> in getting past Buffalo. Statistically, quarterback Bo Nix regressed a bit with a heavier load, leading the league in pass attempts (612), but the team’s win total increased by four games. The biggest question mark is whether this defense can contain Allen and keep him in the pocket.<\/p>\n

Bills-Broncos start time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High | Denver
TV channel, live stream: CBS, Paramount+, NFL+<\/p>\n

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos open up the divisional round.<\/p>\n

Live54 updates\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 5:10 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Bo Nix zipped a pass to rookie running back RJ Harvey in the flat.<\/p>\n

Then Harvey went to work, making defenders miss and galloping forward for a gain of 24 yards.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 5:06 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

What looked like a Brandin Cooks catch turned into a Ja’Quan McMillian interception.<\/p>\n

Cooks didn\u2019t have possession before McMillian ripped the ball from him for the pick.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 5:03 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Bills running back Ray Davis slipped out of the backfield, and Josh Allen found him.<\/p>\n

Davis turned the short reception into a nine-yard gain with a dash for the first-down marker.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:58 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Facing a third-and-5, Josh Allen delivered a 13-yard toss to tight end Dalton Kincaid, who secured a catch for a key first down.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:55 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

The Bills won the toss, elected to kick and then forced a Broncos punt in just four plays.<\/p>\n

Courtland Sutton just missed out on a pair of catches, going low for both and coming up empty.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:50 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a rules refresher:<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:45 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Matt Prater\u2019s still got it. The 41-year-old kicker, who spent 2007-14 with the Broncos, just extended the Bills\u2019 season with a game-tying 50-yard field goal with only five seconds left in the divisional round of the playoffs.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:41 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

A bit of trickery has catapulted the Bills into field-goal range.<\/p>\n

Buffalo turned to a hook-and-ladder play that saw wide receiver Khalil Shakir flip the ball to running back Ray Davis, who hustled all the way to the Denver 32-yard line.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:39 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Trying to orchestrate a game-winning drive in Denver, Josh Allen is leaving everything out on the field, even the most unconventional of throws.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:36 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Bo Nix lofted a 26-yard pass to wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. for a go-ahead touchdown with less than a minute remaining.<\/p>\n

The Broncos targeted cornerback Dane Jackson, who was in for the injured Tre’Davious White.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:32 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

On a got-to-have-it drive, Bo Nix is showcasing his best in the clutch.<\/p>\n

He patiently waited for an opening on the right side of the field and then scurried for a gain of six, converting a third-and-4 for a critical first down.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:27 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Courtland Sutton didn\u2019t have a catch through the first three quarters and change.<\/p>\n

The veteran wideout is now coming to life when the Broncos need him most.<\/p>\n

He just brought in a 25-yard pass from Bo Nix on third-and-11.<\/p>\n

Before that, he made a sideline catch for a drive-opening first down.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:23 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

It appeared as if Khalil Shakir might have had a catch-and-run touchdown for the Bills, but, turns out, the pass he reeled in actually hit the ground.<\/p>\n

Instead, Buffalo collected three points on a 31-yard Matt Prater field goal.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:20 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

With the Bills facing another third down, the legs of Josh Allen once again came in handy.<\/p>\n

He veered right on a quarterback power and followed a big block from tackle Spencer Brown.<\/p>\n

Buffalo has rushed for 176 yards, the most Denver has given up all season.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:14 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Josh Allen is like a battering ram in short-yardage situations.<\/p>\n

He converted another tush push on the Bills\u2019 latest drive, which is chewing significant clock in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n

His 3-yard pickup gave Buffalo a first down at the Denver 28-yard line with less than eight minutes left.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:07 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Denver just punted for the second straight drive. The drive before that, it turned the ball over when Bo Nix was picked off.<\/p>\n

The Broncos have totaled a mere 30 yards across their past three series.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 4:03 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Just like that, the Bills are back in front.<\/p>\n

After giving up 13 straight points, between the end of the second quarter and the start of the third, Buffalo has stormed back.<\/p>\n

Josh Allen wrapped a nine-play, 85-yard drive with a 14-yard strike to tight end Dalton Kincaid, who made the scoring grab over Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 3:58 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Bills wideout Khalil Shakir turned a quick pass from Josh Allen into a 46-yard gain.<\/p>\n

He split a pair of Broncos defenders and sprinted downfield before ultimately being wrangled.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 3:56 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

The Broncos opted for a punt on fourth-and-9 at the Bills\u2019 40-yard line.<\/p>\n

Now Buffalo is on the move. Josh Allen moved the chains on third-and-short. And then James Cook gobbled up 12 yards on a run to end the third quarter.<\/p>\n

\"AndySat, January 17, 2026 at 3:42 PM PST<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

Two plays after Bo Nix threw an interception, Josh Allen was picked off.<\/p>\n

He pump-faked and went deep for Curtis Samuel. Broncos safety P.J. Locke undercut the pass for the takeaway.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Buffalo and Denver kick off the divisional round of the playoffs from the Mile High City on Saturday.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":420216,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,13246,17469,5366,42498,3897,216193,23167,19870,6580,1231,593,40052,85,19864,61418],"class_list":["post-420215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-bills","tag-bo-nix","tag-broncos","tag-buffalo","tag-denver","tag-divisional-round","tag-jacksonville","tag-james-cook","tag-josh-allen","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-nfl","tag-sean-payton","tag-sports","tag-the-bills","tag-the-broncos"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420215","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=420215"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420215\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/420216"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=420215"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=420215"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=420215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}