The Denver Broncos will take on the Buffalo Bills this Saturday in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, carrying the label of underdogs on their home turf. After suffering a significant 31-7 loss to the Bills in the Wildcard Round last season, motivation runs high. Head coach Sean Payton has downplayed the underdog narrative, stating, “I can’t control that. We don’t pay attention to that, honestly.”
Despite the underdog status, quarterback Bo Nix, who previously coined the term “overdogs” after a surprising victory against the Green Bay Packers, echoed similar sentiments. “We don’t really care. We’ve been underdogs before and probably will be again in the future,” Nix said. This week, the focus remains on leveraging every possible advantage as the Broncos prepare to face reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and the Bills.
Payton is focused on maximizing the impact of the home crowd at Empower Field at Mile High. He emphasized the need for fans to create a challenging environment for the visiting team. “The noise level needs to be loudest when they enter the huddle,” Payton explained. He believes that the Broncos’ supporters can shift the dynamics of the game, particularly during critical moments. “Can we do that collectively for 120 snaps? No, I just need it for half the snaps in the game,” he continued, underscoring the potential advantage of crowd noise.
The Bills, coming off a hard-fought win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, are aware of the difficulties posed by the high altitude of Denver. Allen, who played college football in Wyoming, acknowledged the physical challenges presented by the elevation. “It is an advantage, but we have to fight through it,” he stated on Tuesday.
Both teams are navigating injury concerns as they prepare for the game. The Bills are dealing with a depleted receiving corps, which may require head coach Sean McDermott to tap into the practice squad for support. Meanwhile, the Broncos are set to welcome back linebacker Dre Greenlaw, whose presence is expected to strengthen their defensive line against the Bills’ top-ranked running game. Greenlaw’s return could also aid in containing Allen, who is known for his ability to extend plays and gain yards on the ground.
Payton has highlighted Allen’s unique skill set, noting, “He’s hard to bring down. He’s powerful.” The Broncos will need to be prepared for Allen’s unpredictable playing style, as his ability to make off-script plays could be the difference in this matchup. “He’s one of the stars of our league,” Payton remarked, emphasizing the challenge his team faces.
As the Broncos look to overcome the odds, the narrative surrounding their underdog status may be secondary to the immediate task at hand: stopping Allen and the Bills from advancing further in the playoffs. With the stakes high and both teams eager to secure a victory, the upcoming clash promises to be a thrilling encounter for fans and players alike.
