For the first time in 10 years, the Denver Broncos enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
The last time they were the No. 1 seed — 2015, Peyton Manning’s fourth and final season in Denver — happens to be the last time they won a Super Bowl.
Broncos coach Sean Payton knows the potential benefit of being No. 1. When his New Orleans Saints won Super Bowl XLIV in 2009, they were the NFC’s top seed.
But entering Saturday’s playoff opener against the visiting Buffalo Bills, Payton is also well aware that regular-season success and the No. 1 seed don’t guarantee anything when it comes to the postseason.
“The (bye) is important, but myth No. 2 is that (it) ensures the fast start. It doesn’t,” Payton said Tuesday. “Understand this: We’re playing a team that’s coming off one of their biggest wins in the last 10 years. We have to earn a fast start and take advantage of the energy, take advantage of the rest. But it has to be done out (on the field).”
Payton also knows the challenges presented by the Bills, who handily beat the Broncos 31-7 in last season’s wild-card round.
The Bills are still alive for the rematch thanks to their first road playoff win since the 1992 season, 27-24 at Jacksonville on Sunday.
Josh Allen, who entered with a foot injury and twice visited the injury tent during the game with head, hand and knee injuries, gutted out a performance that included 306 total yards, three total touchdowns and a pair of go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown drives.
“I feel good. Honestly, I feel a little better than I have the last couple weeks,” Allen said on Tuesday.
Allen, who has won his first playoff game in each of the last six seasons, would secure his third AFC Championship Game appearance with a win over the Broncos.
However, reinforcements were needed in the receiver room after both Tyrell Shavers and Gabe Davis sustained torn ACLs in the win over the Jaguars. Buffalo patched up the shortage by activating Curtis Samuel (elbow) from injured reserve on Friday and elevating receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. from the practice squad.
The duo will complement top receiver Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Brandin Cooks.
Shakir led the team with 719 receiving yards in the regular season, adding a game-high 12 catches for 82 yards against Jacksonville. Coleman, the team’s 2024 second-round pick, took a step back in production in Year 2 with 404 yards.
Samuel had his practice window for a return from injured reserve opened Tuesday and was a full participant in practice all week. The wideout is questionable for the game.
“Another guy’s got to step up. That’s point-blank what it means,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “And I don’t mean to be short. It’s just right now, it’s full confidence in the guys in that room.”
Standout defensive tackle Ed Oliver (bicep) also was activated Friday. He also saw his practice window open on Tuesday, and is listed as questionable in his bid to play his first game since Oct. 26. He was limited in practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
For Denver quarterback Bo Nix, this will be his first home playoff game. He completed 59.1% of his passes for 144 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Buffalo.
“I think everybody would say they’d rather be at home in this situation,” Nix said. “Last year was a tough environment, tough road experience. Good for a young person like me to go gain that experience (in my) first year. It’s obviously nice to be at home. It’s nice for that challenge to be on the other side.”
Nix will be assisted by a Broncos defense that set a franchise record with 68 sacks, 11 more than any other team and just four off the NFL record set by the 1984 Bears.
Buffalo ruled out cornerback Maxwell Hairston (ankle) and safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring). Meanwhile, running back Ty Johnson (ankle), linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf) and safety Damar Hamlin (pectoral) are questionable. Team sack leader Greg Rousseau (back), linebacker Matt Milano (ankle) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) were cleared to play.
Denver ruled out just two players, both of whom are currently on injured reserve and hoping to come off before the end of the playoff run: tight end Lucas Krull (foot) and linebacker Drew Sanders (ankle). Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) carries no game designation.
The Bills have beaten the Broncos four of the last five times they’ve faced off and won both postseason matchups, including a 10-7 win in the 1991 AFC Championship Game.
–Field Level Media
