2024 AFC Wildcard Preview: #7 Denver Broncos at #2 Buffalo Bills

2024 AFC Wildcard Preview: #7 Denver Broncos at #2 Buffalo Bills

The wildcard previews roll on, as we have done an AFC Wildcard preview for Pittsburgh/Baltimore, now we turn our attention to the No. 2 seeded Buffalo Bills playing host to the upstart No. 7 seeded Denver Broncos. Sean Payton certainly turned this thing in Denver around fast, but he now faces his biggest test as Broncos head coach going to Buffalo to play the white-hot Bills led by MVP candidate Josh Allen.

For the Broncos, this season has already been dubbed a success. This Broncos team was expected to flounder with rookie quarterback Bo Nix and a roster that doesn’t exactly scream talent. However, Nix turned it around after a rough first month, and the defense established new stars as the season went along. Can they ride the momentum of a strong season into an all-time upset?

For the Bills, the path to claiming their first Super Bowl win in franchise history starts this weekend. Josh Allen is having a stellar season, James Cook is in the middle of his best season as a pro, and the offense is firing on all cylinders right now. Can Allen get over the hump and lead this team to at least a Super Bowl berth, let alone a win?

How The Broncos Can Win

Big Play Broncos

To lead off this AFC Wildcard preview, we will look at two keys to victory for the Denver Broncos. First, they have to be able to create the chunk plays. Over the last few weeks, they have gotten wide receiver Marvin Mims involved in a big way, resulting in massive touchdowns. Getting Mims rolling would be huge, but can this offense uncover someone else who can take the lid off the defense and make the game-changing play? This Bills team has had their struggles on defense this year, and if Denver can take advantage they can hang in this game.

Live In The Backfield

Would you be surprised to know the Denver Broncos led the NFL in sacks this season with 63? I was when researching for this post. Josh Allen has been sacked a league-least 14 times. If Denver wants any chance to win this game, they are going to need to create tons of pressure on Allen and make life uncomfortable. Now, Allen excels in scrambling and running downfield, so operating with potentially two spies on him and a four or five-man rush all game could make life hard. Denver needs to come up with at least three sacks in this game to have a chance.

How The Bills Can Win

Establish James Cook Early

As we turn to the back half of this AFC Wildcard preview, we dive into the keys to victory for the Buffalo Bills. The first step is to get running back James Cook going early. It won’t be easy, as the Broncos have the third-ranked run defense in the NFL. However, the Bills faced three top-eight rush defenses this season, averaging 122.3 yards. The defensive line for Denver is playing very well this season, but if Buffalo can let Cook loose and get him rolling early, it takes the pressure off Allen to create.

Slow Nik Bonitto

It feels like no one is talking about the monster that EDGE Nik Bonitto is turning into. Last season, he exploded with 8.0 sacks after having just 1.5 the year prior. This year, he finished third in the NFL with 13.5 sacks. Bonitto is quietly becoming a dominant force off the edge for Denver, which they desperately needed entering the season. Buffalo will need to throw double teams, chips, and whatever they can to try and slow down Bonitto so he doesn’t wreck the game.

Prediction:

I’ll give the Denver Broncos their flowers at the end of this AFC Wildcard preview. This team blew all expectations out of the water and is well ahead of schedule. Once the Russell Wilson money comes off the books, look out. However, they are a year away from being a year away. The current spread on this game is Buffalo -8.5, and I would consider taking Denver speed in this one. I think this one gets close in the fourth quarter, but Buffalo has the best quarterback in the NFL, who I won’t bet against.

Final Score: Buffalo Bills 27 – Denver Broncos 21

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