The buffalo bills vs denver broncos match player stats tell the story of a playoff classic that will be remembered for years. Denver escaped with a 33-30 overtime victory at Empower Field at Mile High on January 17, 2026, but the win came at a devastating cost. Bo Nix threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Broncos to their first playoff win in a decade, while Josh Allen’s four turnovers doomed Buffalo despite his 283 passing yards and three scores.
Table of contents
- Complete Quarterback Stats
- Rushing Leaders Performance
- Top Receiving Stats
- Defensive Impact Players
- The Overtime Drama That Decided Everything
- Turnover Battle Tells the Story
- Team Statistics Comparison
- Special Teams Made the Difference Late
- Individual Scoring Breakdown
- The Devastating Injury News
- Allen’s Playoff Struggles Continue
- Game Flow and Momentum Swings
- Key Injuries Impact Both Teams
- Historical Context and Records
- Looking Ahead
- Expert Analysis: Where the Game Was Won
- The Road Not Taken
Complete Quarterback Stats
| Player | Team | CMP/ATT | Yards | TD | INT | Rush Yards | Rush TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bo Nix | DEN | 26/46 | 279 | 3 | 1 | 29 | 0 |
| Josh Allen | BUF | 25/39 | 283 | 3 | 2 | 66 | 0 |
The quarterback battle lived up to the hype, but turnovers made all the difference. Nix completed 56.5% of his passes and added 12 rushing attempts for 29 yards, managing the game despite immense pressure. Allen finished with a better completion rate at 64.1% and was dynamic with his legs, but his two interceptions and two lost fumbles proved costly.
Rushing Leaders Performance
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Cook | BUF | 24 | 117 | 4.9 | 24 | 0 |
| Bo Nix | DEN | 12 | 29 | 2.4 | 6 | 0 |
| Josh Allen | BUF | 11 | 66 | 6.0 | 26 | 0 |
James Cook dominated on the ground against Denver’s second-ranked run defense, which had allowed just 91.1 yards per game during the regular season. His 117 rushing yards marked the most Denver surrendered all season. Cook’s performance was even more impressive considering he came into the game as the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,621 yards on the season.
Top Receiving Stats
| Player | Team | Receptions | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvin Mims Jr. | DEN | 8 | 93 | 11.6 | 26 | 1 |
| Dalton Kincaid | BUF | 6 | 83 | 13.8 | 25 | 1 |
| Khalil Shakir | BUF | 7 | 75 | 10.7 | 46 | 0 |
| Courtland Sutton | DEN | 5 | 68 | 13.6 | 24 | 0 |
Marvin Mims Jr. delivered the biggest play of the game, hauling in a 26-yard touchdown pass from Nix with just 55 seconds remaining in regulation to give Denver a 30-27 lead. His eight receptions and 93 yards were career playoff highs. Khalil Shakir was Allen’s most reliable target, recording seven catches for 75 yards and reaching 50 career playoff receptions in the process.
Defensive Impact Players
| Player | Team | Total Tackles | Solo | Sacks | INT | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Singleton | DEN | 14 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Cam Bishop | BUF | 12 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Malcolm Roach | DEN | 6 | 4 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Ja’Quan McMillian | DEN | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Alex Singleton led all defenders with 14 tackles and forced a crucial fumble on James Cook in the first half. But the defensive star of the game was Ja’Quan McMillian, whose controversial overtime interception changed everything.
The Overtime Drama That Decided Everything
With Buffalo facing third and 11 from their own 36-yard line in overtime, Allen launched a deep ball toward Brandin Cooks. The veteran receiver appeared to have the catch at the Denver 20, but McMillian wrestled the ball away as both players tumbled to the ground.
“We were both fighting for the ball,” McMillian told reporters after the game. “I just made a play and basically took it out of his hands and came up with it.”
The ruling stood despite protests from Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who called a timeout hoping officials would review the play more extensively. Referee Carl Cheffers later explained that Cooks never completed the process of the catch as he went to the ground.
“The receiver has to complete the process of a catch,” Cheffers said. “He was going to the ground as part of the process of the catch and he lost possession of the ball when he hit the ground. The defender gained possession of it at that point.”
Turnover Battle Tells the Story
Buffalo Turnovers:
- Josh Allen interception (1st quarter)
- James Cook fumble (2nd quarter)
- Josh Allen fumble (end of 1st half)
- Josh Allen fumble (3rd quarter)
- Josh Allen interception (overtime)
Denver Turnovers:
- Bo Nix interception to Deone Walker (4th quarter)
The turnover margin of plus-4 was massive for Denver, especially considering the Broncos were minus-3 in turnover differential during the regular season. Allen’s four turnovers were particularly painful given his streak of six consecutive playoff games without a turnover heading into this contest.
“I felt like I let my teammates down,” a visibly emotional Allen said afterward.
Team Statistics Comparison
| Category | Bills | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 449 | 349 |
| First Downs | 28 | 22 |
| Third Down Conversions | 10/15 (67%) | 8/16 (50%) |
| Fourth Down Conversions | 1/1 (100%) | 1/1 (100%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 3/5 (60%) | 1/4 (25%) |
| Penalties | 5-68 | 3-20 |
| Time of Possession | 40:58 | 29:18 |
Buffalo dominated the stat sheet with 100 more total yards and controlled possession for nearly 41 minutes. The Bills converted two-thirds of their third downs and were perfect in the red zone with touchdowns. But the five turnovers negated all those positives.
Special Teams Made the Difference Late
Matt Prater, the former Broncos kicker now with Buffalo, was perfect on the afternoon. His biggest moment came with five seconds left in regulation when he drilled a 50-yard field goal to tie the game at 30 and force overtime. Prater finished 3-for-3 on field goals and was also perfect on three extra points.
Wil Lutz sealed it for Denver with a 23-yard field goal in overtime after the McMillian interception. The Broncos drove 75 yards following the turnover, aided by three Buffalo penalties including two pass interference calls that put Denver in prime position.
Individual Scoring Breakdown
Buffalo Bills (30)
- Mecole Hardman 4-yard TD pass from Josh Allen (Matt Prater kick)
- Matt Prater 31-yard FG
- Keon Coleman 10-yard TD pass from Josh Allen (Matt Prater kick)
- Dalton Kincaid 14-yard TD pass from Josh Allen (Matt Prater kick)
- Matt Prater 41-yard FG
- Matt Prater 50-yard FG
Denver Broncos (33)
- Wil Lutz 28-yard FG
- Frank Crum 7-yard TD pass from Bo Nix (Wil Lutz kick)
- Lil’Jordan Humphrey 29-yard TD pass from Bo Nix (Wil Lutz kick)
- Wil Lutz 27-yard FG
- Wil Lutz 33-yard FG
- Marvin Mims Jr. 26-yard TD pass from Bo Nix (Wil Lutz kick)
- Wil Lutz 23-yard FG (OT)
The Devastating Injury News
About an hour after the final whistle, Sean Payton delivered crushing news. Bo Nix had fractured his right ankle on one of the final plays before Lutz’s game-winning kick. The injury required season-ending surgery, meaning backup Jarrett Stidham would start the AFC Championship Game.
“We celebrate the season for him,” Payton said. “And listen, the city’s ready and we’ll be ready for the next challenge.”
Nix tied Russell Wilson’s NFL record with 24 victories in his first two seasons and earned his first career playoff win before the injury ended his remarkable second campaign.
Allen’s Playoff Struggles Continue
This marked the first time in 10 years that a quarterback threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles in a playoff game. The four turnovers were particularly shocking given Allen’s pristine playoff record coming in.
Buffalo’s offense coordinator Joe Brady had his unit humming despite the turnovers. The Bills racked up 449 total yards and Cook’s 117 rushing yards showcased excellent play calling against Denver’s elite defense.
“I can only imagine what this is going to do to fuel him,” Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton said of the upcoming challenge without Nix.
Game Flow and Momentum Swings
The first half belonged to Denver, who scored 10 points in the final 22 seconds to take a 20-10 lead into the locker room. Nix’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey came with just 22 seconds left after the Broncos converted a third and 10.
Buffalo’s offense came alive in the second half. After Denver extended the lead to 23-10 early in the third quarter following a Nik Bonitto strip-sack of Allen, the Bills scored 17 unanswered points. Allen threw touchdown passes to Coleman and Kincaid to give Buffalo a 24-23 lead early in the fourth quarter.
The teams traded the lead three times in the final five minutes of regulation. Allen found Kincaid for a 14-yard touchdown to put Buffalo ahead 27-23. Nix responded with the clutch touchdown pass to Mims for a 30-27 lead. Prater then sent it to overtime with his 50-yarder.
Key Injuries Impact Both Teams
Bills Injuries:
- LB Dorian Williams (neck) – left on opening kickoff, taken to hospital
- DT Ed Oliver (knee) – exited in third quarter
- CB Tre’Davious White (injury) – replaced by Dane Jackson
Broncos Injuries:
- WR Pat Bryant (concussion) – ruled out in first quarter after three catches for 32 yards
- WR Troy Franklin (hamstring) – left game early
- QB Bo Nix (ankle fracture) – season ending
Denver’s receiving corps was depleted early when both Bryant and Franklin left with injuries. That put more pressure on Mims and Courtland Sutton to make plays, which they delivered when it mattered most.
Historical Context and Records
This game had several notable historical footnotes beyond the dramatic finish:
- Bo Nix became the first quarterback in the Super Bowl Era to throw a touchdown to an offensive lineman (Frank Crum) and an interception to a defensive lineman (Deone Walker) in the same game
- Denver earned its first home playoff victory since the 2015 season, when they went on to win Super Bowl 50
- Khalil Shakir passed Stefon Diggs for third on the Bills’ all-time playoff receptions list with 48
- James Cook passed Kenneth Davis for third on Buffalo’s all-time playoff rushing yards list with 550 career yards
- Attendance was 77,043 at Empower Field at Mile High
Looking Ahead
For Denver, the focus shifts to preparing backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham for the AFC Championship Game. Stidham, 29, has taken just one snap all season and hasn’t thrown a pass since 2023. He’s 1-3 in four career starts with eight touchdown passes and eight interceptions over seven NFL seasons.
Buffalo heads into another crushing offseason wondering what it will take to reach the Super Bowl. Two days after this loss, the Bills fired head coach Sean McDermott, ending an eight-year run that produced consistent regular season success but no Super Bowl appearances.
“The Bills failed once again to reach the Super Bowl with Allen under center even though Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson weren’t standing in his way this time,” observers noted, as that trio of franchise quarterbacks all missed the postseason.
Expert Analysis: Where the Game Was Won
Offensive Execution
Denver’s offense struggled with consistency but came through in clutch moments. Nix’s 56.5% completion rate wasn’t impressive, but his three touchdown passes at critical junctures kept the Broncos in the game. His scrambling ability on third downs extended drives, including a crucial six-yard scramble on third and four that set up the go-ahead touchdown to Mims.
Buffalo moved the ball at will but couldn’t overcome the turnover avalanche. Allen’s decision making broke down at the worst times, particularly on the fumble at the end of the first half that allowed Denver to kick a field goal and take a 10-point lead into the break.
Defensive Domination Through Turnovers
Vance Joseph’s Denver defense entered the game ranked second overall in the NFL, and they lived up to their reputation. The five forced turnovers were remarkable given their minus-3 turnover differential during the regular season.
Nik Bonitto’s strip-sack of Allen in the third quarter was a game-changing play that led to a field goal and a 23-10 lead. Malcolm Roach recovered that fumble and finished with 1.5 sacks for the game.
Buffalo’s defense actually played well considering the circumstances. They held Denver to just 349 total yards and forced a crucial interception when Deone Walker picked off Nix on a screen pass. But the unit couldn’t get a sack and was burned on the final touchdown to Mims when cornerback Dane Jackson, filling in for the injured Tre’Davious White, couldn’t stay with the speedy receiver.
Special Teams Excellence
Both kickers were perfect on the day. Prater’s experience showed on the 50-yard field goal that forced overtime, while Lutz delivered under pressure with the game-winner. The return game was solid for both sides, with Ray Davis averaging 28 yards on five kickoff returns for Buffalo.
The Road Not Taken
This game will be remembered as much for what didn’t happen as what did. If McMillian doesn’t wrestle that ball away from Cooks, Buffalo likely kicks a short field goal to win. If Allen doesn’t fumble at the end of the first half, Denver doesn’t extend the lead to 20-10. If Nix doesn’t break his ankle, the Broncos might have had a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl with their elite defense.
For more comprehensive player stats and game analysis, visit Match vs Player Stats.
The buffalo bills vs denver broncos match player stats reveal a game that will live in playoff lore, a contest decided by the slimmest of margins where execution in crucial moments separated two evenly matched teams. Denver advances, but at what cost? Buffalo goes home wondering what could have been if Allen hadn’t turned the ball over four times in the biggest game of the season.
