At a Glance
- Ja’Quan McMillian’s overtime interception set up Wil Lutz’s 24-yard game-winner
- Denver forced five turnovers, including two Josh Allen interceptions and two strip-sack fumbles
- The Broncos will host their first AFC championship in a decade next Sunday at Empower Field
- Why it matters: Denver’s 14-1 home record since last season gives them a clear path to Super Bowl 60
The Denver Broncos are heading to the AFC championship game for the first time in ten years after a dramatic 33-30 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night.
The Turning Point
With the Bills driving for a winning field goal in overtime, Ja’Quan McMillian intercepted Josh Allen’s deep pass at the Broncos 20-yard line. McMillian wrestled the ball away from wide receiver Brandin Cooks, giving Denver possession and setting up Wil Lutz’s decisive 24-yard kick.
McMillian’s interception was Denver’s fifth takeaway of the night:
- Two interceptions of Allen
- Two strip-sack fumbles recovered from Allen
- One additional interception by safety P.J. Locke
Locke’s pick ended Allen’s streak of 204 consecutive postseason completions, a run that had stretched over his previous six playoff games without a turnover.
Final-Drive Drama
Former Broncos kicker Matt Prater sent the game to overtime with a 50-yard field goal as time expired in regulation. The kick answered Bo Nix’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Mims Jr. that had put Denver ahead 30-27 with 55 seconds left.
In overtime, the Bills were flagged twice for pass interference on Denver’s only possession, helping move the Broncos into Lutz’s range.
Home-Field Edge
The Broncos (15-3) will face either the New England Patriots or the Houston Texans next Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Denver has won 14 of its last 15 games at home, including Saturday’s thriller.
The last time Denver hosted the AFC title game was during the 2015 season, when the “No Fly Zone” defense powered the franchise to victory in Super Bowl 50.
Injury Report
Bills
- S Jordan Poyer (hamstring) and LB Terrel Bernard (calf) were inactive
- LB Dorian Williams suffered a neck injury on the opening kickoff and was transported to the hospital by ambulance
- C Connor McGovern cleared concussion protocol just before halftime
- DT Ed Oliver left late in the third quarter with a knee injury; he had previously been on injured reserve after Dec. 29 surgery for meniscus damage
Broncos
- QB Bo Nix will undergo season-ending surgery for a broken right ankle suffered late in the win
- WR Pat Bryant sustained a concussion on Denver’s first drive after three catches for 32 yards
- WR Troy Franklin pulled a hamstring in the second quarter
What’s Next
Buffalo (13-6) exits the playoffs after another postseason heartbreak. Despite facing a path without Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson, the Bills could not capitalize on the conference’s open field.
Denver, meanwhile, is one victory away from its first Super Bowl appearance since the 2015 championship season.
