The Denver Broncos are now just one win away from Super Bowl 60 after surviving a dramatic 33-30 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. Ja’Quan McMillian’s game-winning interception of Josh Allen’s deep throw in OT set up Wil Lutz’s field goal, sending Denver into the AFC Championship.
McMillian’s pick was Denver’s fifth takeaway of the game, a remarkable turnaround for a team that entered the playoffs with a minus-3 turnover differential. The Broncos (15-3) will host either New England or Houston next Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High for the AFC title.
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Heartbreak for Josh Allen
For Bills quarterback Josh Allen, the loss was another emotional blow. The reigning NFL MVP threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles, including a critical turnover in overtime that sealed Buffalo’s fate. Allen, who hadn’t turned the ball over in his previous six playoff appearances, was visibly emotional, admitting:
“Extremely difficult. I felt like I let my teammates down.”
Despite Buffalo’s valiant effort to rally multiple times in the fourth quarter, including late touchdowns from Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid, the Bills fell short.
Bo Nix Out for the Season
Denver quarterback Bo Nix, heroically leading the team throughout the game, suffered a fractured ankle in overtime and will miss the remainder of the Broncos’ playoff run. Nix threw three touchdown passes in the game, including crucial throws in the final seconds of regulation to set up Matt Prater’s game-tying field goal.
Coach Sean Payton praised his team’s resilience:
“We weren’t always pretty, but we found a way to win. Our defense made key stops, and I’m proud of the organization.”
Key Moments of the Game
- Broncos scored 10 points in the final 22 seconds of the first half to take a 20-10 lead.
- Nix threw a 26-yard TD to Marvin Mims Jr. with 55 seconds left in regulation.
- Former kicker Matt Prater nailed a 50-yard field goal to tie the game at 30-all.
- The Broncos’ defense forced five turnovers, dominating a Bills offense that had been heavily favored.
With this victory, Denver extends its playoff momentum while the Bills face yet another missed opportunity to reach the Super Bowl under Josh Allen.