It’s never a normal game. Whenever the Buffalo Bills and Broncos end up on the same field, logic basically exits the stadium. You’d think a cross-divisional matchup between Orchard Park and the Mile High City would be a standard procedural affair, but history tells a much messier, more chaotic story.
Remember the 2023 "12 men on the field" disaster? Honestly, that single play defined an entire season of frustration for Buffalo and served as a bizarre resurrection for Denver. It wasn’t just a penalty; it was a symptom of the weirdness that follows these two franchises when they collide.
The 12th Man That Shouldn't Have Been There
Let’s talk about that Monday Night Football game in November 2023 because it’s still a sore spot for anyone wearing Zubaz. The Bills had the game won. Seriously. Wil Lutz missed a 41-yard field goal as time expired. High-fives were starting on the Buffalo sideline. Then the flag flew.
Buffalo had 12 players on the field.
Lutz got a second chance from five yards closer, drilled it, and the Broncos walked out with a 24-22 win. That game essentially cost Ken Dorsey his job as Buffalo's offensive coordinator the very next day. It’s rare to see a single regular-season game against a non-divisional opponent cause that much internal combustion, but that is exactly what happens with the Buffalo Bills and Broncos.
Denver’s defense that night, led by guys like Patrick Surtain II, absolutely suffocated Josh Allen. Allen finished with three turnovers. It was one of those games where you realize that on any given night, the Broncos’ altitude-trained secondary can make even the most elite quarterbacks look human.
A Rivalry Born in the AFL
People forget that these two teams go back way before the modern NFL era. They were both original American Football League (AFL) franchises starting in 1960. While they aren't in the same division now—Buffalo in the AFC East and Denver in the AFC West—that shared DNA creates a specific kind of friction.
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Back in the 60s, it was about survival. The Bills were actually the powerhouse then, winning AFL championships in '64 and '65 with Jack Kemp under center. Denver? Not so much. They were the league's doormat for a long time.
But the script flipped.
By the time the 80s and 90s rolled around, John Elway turned the Broncos into a perennial nightmare for the rest of the AFC. Even during Buffalo’s historic run of four straight Super Bowls, the Broncos were often the gatekeepers or the benchmark they had to clear. There’s a lingering respect there, but also a lot of "what if" scenarios that keep fans arguing in sports bars from Elmwood Avenue to Lower Downtown Denver.
The Defensive Philosophy Shift
If you look at how these teams are built today, they are mirrors of one another in some ways and total opposites in others. Sean McDermott is a defensive-minded coach who obsesses over "The Process." He wants a disciplined, nickel-heavy defense that prevents the big play.
Denver has been through a carousel of coaches recently, from the defensive grit of Vic Fangio to the offensive-minded Sean Payton. When the Buffalo Bills and Broncos meet, it usually turns into a chess match between McDermott’s secondary and whatever scheme Payton is cooking up to exploit the middle of the field.
The Broncos have historically relied on a strong home-field advantage—the thin air is real, folks—while the Bills rely on the "Lake Effect" chaos of Highmark Stadium. When Denver has to travel to Western New York in late November or December, the weather becomes a 12th man (a legal one this time).
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Josh Allen vs. The Denver Blueprint
Denver seems to have a specific blueprint for rattling Josh Allen. If you go back through the last few matchups, they don't just blitz him; they confuse him. They use "simulated pressures" where it looks like six guys are coming, but four drop back into lanes Allen expects to be open.
In their 2023 meeting, the Broncos held the Bills to zero points in the first quarter. They forced Allen into a "hero ball" mentality. When Allen feels like he has to do everything himself, he starts taking risks. Denver thrives on those risks.
- Turnover Margin: In their most recent high-stakes games, the winner has almost always been the team that wins the turnover battle by +2 or more.
- The Run Game: Buffalo often struggles to remain patient with the run against Denver’s front seven.
- Special Teams: As we saw with the Lutz kick, special teams in this series are usually a disaster or a miracle.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
Most national media outlets treat Buffalo Bills and Broncos games as a footnote. They focus on the Chiefs or the Jets. But if you're a bettor or a hardcore fan, you know this is a "trap game" for Buffalo every single time.
There’s this misconception that because Buffalo has been a "contender" and Denver has been "rebuilding," the Bills should blow them out. The reality? Since 2015, the series is remarkably competitive. Denver doesn't care about Buffalo's Super Bowl aspirations.
Actually, the Broncos often play their best football when they are the underdog in these games. It’s a pride thing. They have a massive fanbase and a history of winning that doesn't allow for a "loser" mentality, even when the roster is in transition.
The Von Miller Connection
You can't talk about these two teams without mentioning Von Miller. He is a legend in Denver—a Super Bowl MVP who helped deliver a ring in the twilight of Peyton Manning's career. When he signed that massive deal with Buffalo, it felt like the final piece of the puzzle for the Bills.
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But Miller’s tenure in Buffalo has been marred by injury and a slow recovery. Seeing him line up against his former team is always surreal. Denver fans still love him, but in Buffalo, the pressure is on for him to produce the same "Orange Crush" magic he had in Colorado. It’s a weird cross-pollination of talent that adds another layer of drama to the games.
The Logistics of the Mile High Advantage
When the Bills have to play in Denver, the preparation is grueling. We’re talking about specialized hydration schedules and arriving either 24 hours before or a full week early to adjust to the 5,280-foot elevation.
Fatigue is a massive factor. In the fourth quarter of these games, you’ll see Buffalo’s massive offensive linemen gasping for air. That’s when Denver’s pass rush usually wakes up. It’s a physical disadvantage that no amount of talent can fully overcome.
Conversely, when Denver comes to Buffalo, they deal with the humidity and the wind. The wind in Orchard Park can turn a 30-yard pass into a knuckleball. It levels the playing field in the most frustrating way possible.
Key Insights for Future Matchups
If you are looking ahead to the next time these two face off, forget the season records. Look at the injury report for the secondary and the weather forecast.
- Watch the "Spy" linebacker: Denver usually assigns a fast linebacker to shadow Josh Allen. If that player is healthy, Allen’s rushing yards—a huge part of the Bills' offense—tend to plummet.
- Field Position: Because both teams usually have solid punters, these games often become a battle of who can pin the other inside the 10-yard line.
- Third Down Conversion: Buffalo’s offense lives and dies by third-down efficiency. Denver’s defensive scheme is specifically designed to "bend but don't break" on first and second down to force a difficult third-and-long.
To truly understand the Buffalo Bills and Broncos dynamic, you have to embrace the chaos. It’s not going to be a clean game. There will be fumbles, there will be questionable officiating, and there will almost certainly be a play that makes you scream at your television.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit the Rosters: Before the next kickoff, check the status of Buffalo's offensive line depth. Denver’s pass rush exploits weak tackles better than almost any team in the AFC.
- Monitor Elevation Training: If the game is in Denver, look for reports on whether Buffalo is using oxygen therapy or altered practice schedules. It’s a huge indicator of their late-game stamina.
- Study the Turnover Differential: Both teams have a habit of being "streaky" with takeaways. The team coming in with a +3 turnover margin over their last three games usually dictates the tempo of this specific matchup.
The rivalry might not have the "classic" status of Bills-Chiefs or Broncos-Raiders, but for those who know the history, it’s one of the most unpredictable dates on the NFL calendar. Every yard is earned, and every mistake is magnified.