Josh Allen is back in the spotlight. Honestly, it feels like every January we’re asking if this is the year the Buffalo Bills finally stop breaking tables and start hoisting trophies. After a gritty 27-24 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round, the path is set. People are buzzing, phones are lighting up, and the main question is simple: who do the Buffalo Bills play next week?
The answer is official. The Buffalo Bills will travel to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round. This isn't just a random game. It’s a matchup between the No. 6 seed Bills and the No. 1 seed Broncos.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026. Kickoff is locked in for 4:30 p.m. ET. You’ll find it on CBS, or you can stream it on Paramount+.
The Mile High Hurdle
Denver is a tough place to play. Period. You’ve got the altitude, the noise, and a Broncos team that has been sitting at home resting while Buffalo was busy fighting for their lives in Jacksonville. The Broncos earned that first-round bye for a reason. They finished the regular season at 14-3, led by a defense that basically turned into a brick wall over the last two months.
Buffalo is coming in as the underdog. Specifically, a 1.5-point underdog. Some people think the short week will kill them. The Bills played on Sunday and now have to turn around for a Saturday afternoon game. That’s a tight window for recovery.
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But here’s the thing: Josh Allen thrives in chaos.
Why This Rematch Is Different
Remember last year? Buffalo beat Denver 31-7 in the playoffs. It wasn't even close. But that game was in the chilly confines of Orchard Park. This time, the roles are reversed. Empower Field at Mile High is going to be rocking.
Denver’s head coach Sean Payton is famously good coming off a bye week—he's 4-0 in the playoffs in that scenario. He knows how to use that extra time to find the cracks in a defense. And the Bills' defense has been a bit of a "bend but don't break" unit lately. They’ve had some injuries in the secondary that could be a problem against a rested Denver receiving corps.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
- The Record: Buffalo is 13-5 including the playoffs. Denver is 14-3.
- The Sack Race: Denver led the league in sacks this year. Allen is 3-1 in his career against teams that lead the league in sacks. He’s hard to bring down.
- The Altitude: It’s real. Players talk about it all the time. If the Bills’ conditioning isn't peak, they’ll be sucking wind by the fourth quarter.
Honestly, the "who do the Buffalo Bills play next week" question is only half the story. The real story is whether Buffalo can become only the fourth No. 6 seed in a decade to make it to a conference championship.
Keys to a Buffalo Victory
If you’re a Bills fan, you’re looking at Joe Brady’s play-calling. They can't just rely on Josh Allen running for his life. James Cook needs to be a factor. He’s been a Pro Bowler for a reason, and if they can establish the run early, it keeps that nasty Denver pass rush honest.
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Then there's the kicker situation. In a game where the spread is less than two points, a missed field goal is a death sentence. Tyler Bass has been steady, but Denver in January can have some weird wind patterns.
On the flip side, Denver is looking to win their first postseason game since 2015. That was the Super Bowl 50 era. They’re hungry. Bo Nix has played better than most expected, managing the game and letting his defense do the heavy lifting.
What Happens if They Win?
If the Bills pull off the upset, they don't get to go home. No matter what happens in the other AFC game—where the New England Patriots play the Houston Texans—the Bills will be on the road again for the AFC Championship.
If Denver wins, they stay home. They’re the kings of the hill right now.
Watching the Game
- Date: Saturday, Jan 17
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: CBS / Paramount+
- Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Actionable Steps for the Weekend
If you're planning to watch, get your setup ready early. Saturday afternoon games sneak up on you.
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- Check the Inactive List: About 90 minutes before kickoff, the official lists come out. Watch the Bills' secondary. If they’re missing another starter, Nix might actually take some shots downfield.
- Monitor the Weather: Denver weather is unpredictable. If it’s windy, expect a lot of short passes and a heavy dose of the run game.
- Track the Live Line: If Buffalo starts hot, that +1.5 spread will vanish. If you're into the betting side of things, the "Josh Allen Anytime TD" is usually a popular play for a reason.
This is the biggest game of the year for Buffalo. Again. It feels like every year is the "biggest" one, but with Mahomes and Burrow out of the bracket, the path to the Super Bowl is wide open. They just have to survive the thin air first.
Next Steps: Make sure your Paramount+ subscription is active if you aren't near a TV, and keep an eye on the Friday injury report for any late-breaking news on the Bills' starting safety.