If you’re refreshing your phone every five seconds wondering what's the score of the buffalo bills football game, you aren't alone. Today, January 17, 2026, the energy at Empower Field at Mile High is basically vibrating. We are currently in the thick of the AFC Divisional Round, and the Buffalo Bills are facing off against the top-seeded Denver Broncos.
As of right now, the game has just kicked off. The score is 0-0.
Why the Bills vs Broncos Game is Total Chaos Right Now
This isn't just another game. Honestly, the stakes are sky-high because the winner punches a ticket to the AFC Championship. Denver came into this with a massive 14-3 record, sitting pretty on a first-round bye. Meanwhile, Buffalo is riding the high of a gritty 27-24 win over Jacksonville last week.
That Jags game was legendary. Josh Allen basically put the team on his back. You probably saw that 1-yard "tush push" touchdown where he looked like he was moving a literal mountain. It was Buffalo’s first road playoff win in over 30 years. Seriously, 33 years.
🔗 Read more: The Philadelphia Phillies Boston Red Sox Rivalry: Why This Interleague Matchup Always Feels Personal
The Mile High Factor
Playing in Denver is always a nightmare for visiting teams. The thin air is no joke. You’ll see guys on the Buffalo sideline huffing oxygen early in the second quarter. Sean Payton has this Broncos team playing incredibly disciplined football, and they’ve been resting for two weeks.
Buffalo has some major hurdles today. Their injury report looks like a CVS receipt. Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers are both out with ACL tears they picked up in Jacksonville. That leaves Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid to do a lot of the heavy lifting.
Key Stats You Need to Watch
Bo Nix has been surprisingly efficient for Denver, throwing for over 3,900 yards this season. On the other side, Josh Allen is doing Josh Allen things—3,668 yards and 25 touchdowns. But it's his legs that Denver is terrified of.
💡 You might also like: The Eagles and Chiefs Score That Changed Everything for Philadelphia and Kansas City
- The Ground Game: James Cook led the league in rushing, but he only got 46 yards last week. If Buffalo can’t run the ball, Denver’s pass rush (which is scary) will just pin their ears back.
- Third Downs: Buffalo converted four out of five third-and-shorts last week. They need that same efficiency today.
- Turnovers: Bo Nix has 11 interceptions this year. Allen has 10. Whoever blinks first probably loses.
The weather in Denver is hovering around 30 degrees. It’s chilly, but it’s not a blizzard, so we shouldn't see those crazy "Snow Bowl" conditions that Buffalo usually loves.
What This Score Means for the Playoffs
If the Bills pull this off, they are one step away from the Super Bowl. With Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow out of the bracket this year, this is the most wide-open the AFC has felt in a decade.
The defense is the big question mark. Losing Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin to the IR earlier in the season really thinned out the secondary. They’re leaning on guys like Cole Bishop to step up in the biggest game of their lives.
📖 Related: The Detroit Lions Game Recap That Proves This Team Is Different
Honestly, it’s going to come down to whether Buffalo’s offensive line can handle Nik Bonitto. He’s had 14 sacks this season. If Allen is running for his life all afternoon, that 0-0 score is going to turn in Denver's favor real quick.
How to Keep Up With the Bills Score
You can catch the rest of the action on CBS or stream it on Paramount+. If you're stuck at work or away from a TV, keep an eye on the live trackers because this game is expected to be a one-score thriller. Most experts have the spread at Denver -1.5, which basically means it's a toss-up.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the live box score every 15 minutes to track James Cook's rushing yardage; if he crosses 80 yards, the Bills' win probability jumps significantly.
- Monitor the injury updates during the game specifically for Terrel Bernard, as his presence in the middle of the defense is vital to stopping Denver's run game.
- Sync your fantasy or betting apps to get real-time scoring alerts so you don't miss a lead change in what's expected to be a back-and-forth fourth quarter.