The Buffalo Bills are hitting the road after their comeback win over the Jacksonville Jaguars during Wild Card weekend. After picking up his first road playoff win of his career, Josh Allen and the Bills will face their toughest test yet: the No. 1 seed Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium in Colorado.
Despite the clear advantage the Broncos get from their home field, Buffalo is opening the week as one and a half point favorites over Denver, according to Draft Kings SportsBook. Denver had the best home record in the NFL this season at 8-1. Their only loss at home came in week 16 when the Jacksonville Jaguars ruined their perfect home campaign with a 34-20 victory.
It’s new school vs. old school in the Divisional Round: Josh Allen has been there, done that, and now that he has his first road playoff win under his belt, oddsmakers seem to be favoring his prowess over Denvers team-first success this season.
The Broncos are trying to establish themselves as the new guard in the AFC. Wins in 13 of their final 14 games gave Denver the No. 1 seed, and now the road to the Super Bowl will do through Colorado if the Broncos can stand their ground this weekend.
Buffalo Favored Again Despite Broncos Strong Season
Since the NFL moved to a 14 team playoff format, the No. 1 seed and only team to receive a bye has won six of eight games in the Divisional Round. History tells us Denver should have the upper hand, via that statistic, the Broncos advantage at Mile High, and their spectacular season: so why are the Bills favored?
The answer solely comes down to Josh Allen. Out of his seven playoff appearances in his career, this might be the worst overall roster the Bills have had. But it simply doesn’t matter when Allen steps up to the plate.
Look at any headline from any story following the Bills-Jaguars game from Sunday: they all say some variation of “Josh Allen Carries the Bills to Victory.” He willed his team to that win, figuratively and literally: the guy had an eight yard QB sneak to nearly score a touchdown.
Outside of Khalil Shakir, who had one of his best games of his career on Sunday, Allen isn’t throwing to much talent. Brandin Cooks, who was acquired about a month ago, was their second leading receiver Sunday.
Denver With a Score to Settle Against Buffalo
The Bills and Broncos faced off in last year’s Wild Card round, when Buffalo thoroughly dismantled Denver by a score of 31-7. Allen threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns, while Bo Nix’s playoff debut was a stinker, as he went 13-22 for just 144 yards.
This is a completely restructured Broncos team in year two of their new Super Bowl window however, and their defense has been one of the best in the NFL all season.
The book has pretty much been written on how to stop Josh Allen; keep him from escaping the pocket. Allen does so much damage with his legs and off-platform throws that he can single-handedly win games.
Just because the book is out on how to stop Allen doesn’t mean it’s easy. Sean Payton and Co. will have to scheme their butts off this week to keep from getting upset after such a great season.
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