Broncos-Bills playoff history, revisited: Look back at 2025 wild-card
- - Broncos-Bills playoff history, revisited: Look back at 2025 wild-card
Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYJanuary 17, 2026 at 6:02 PM
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"Freaky Friday" meets "Spooky Saturday" in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
In other words, we have seen this movie before – sort of. After all, we didn't have to dig too deep into the archives to find the last postseason matchup between the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills, who will battle in the Mile High City with a trip to the AFC championship game on the line.
It's a rematch of the wild-card weekend showdown from a season ago, when the Bills spoiled the Broncos' return to the postseason, winning in blowout fashion, 31-7.
Don't call it a sequel, but perhaps a remake.
Here's what to know about the history between the Broncos and Bills in the NFL playoffs.
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Broncos vs. Bills NFL playoff history
The Broncos and Bills have met twice in the NFL playoffs, with Buffalo coming away victorious both times in 1992 and 2025.
Buffalo blew out Denver in the 2025 playoffs, 31-7, in what was a matchup between the 2-seeded Bills and 7-seeded Broncos in the wild-card round. Bo Nix hit Troy Franklin for a 43-yard touchdown in the first quarter, allowing the visitors to jump out to an early lead. The home team locked in from there, scoring 31 unanswered points to advance to the divisional round.
Nix struggled, completing only 13-of-22 pass attempts for 144 yards and a touchdown. Denver also didn't have much of a running game to speak of, since Nix led the way with 43 rushing yards.
On the flip side, the Bills got whatever they wanted offensively. James Cook rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown. Josh Allen looked the part of an NFL MVP, completing 20-of-26 pass attempts for 272 yards and two touchdowns to erase whatever defensive advantage the Broncos had coming into the game.
This time, the shoe is on the other foot as the Bills have to make the trek to Denver to deal with the altitude in the Mile High City.
Neither side has seen a dramatic roster turnover heading into the divisional round, but Buffalo certainly has more than its fair share of injury concerns.
History might not be on the Broncos' side, but this is the first time both teams will meet in Denver in the playoffs.
Perhaps that makes the difference.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Broncos vs. Bills playoff history, 2025 matchup revisited
Source: “AOL Sports”
