The energy at Empower Field was absolutely electric this afternoon. People were expecting a shootout between Josh Allen and Bo Nix, and for most of the first half, it looked like we were getting exactly that. But as the sun started setting over the Rockies, the narrative shifted. If you’re looking for the scores of all nfl games today, you’ve come to the right place because the Divisional Round just reminded us why January football is a completely different beast than the regular season.
The Denver Defense Holds Firm
Basically, nobody expected the Broncos’ run defense to be this stout after James Cook gashed them on the opening drive. Cook was running like a man possessed, picking up 38 yards on just three carries early on. It looked like Buffalo was going to sleepwalk into the end zone. And they did—Josh Allen punched it in on a sneak after a gutsy fourth-down call. But then, things got weird.
Denver’s defense, led by Alex Singleton and Talanoa Hufanga, started playing with a chip on their shoulder. Singleton forced a massive fumble from Cook in the second quarter, and Hufanga was right there to jump on it. Bo Nix, the rookie who has played like a ten-year vet all season, didn’t waste the opportunity. He marched them down and threw a 7-yard touchdown to Frank Crum. Yeah, a tackle-eligible play in the playoffs. You love to see it.
The final score in Denver ended up Broncos 23, Bills 17.
It wasn't just about the points, though. It was about the pressure. Zach Allen was everywhere. The man has been a nightmare for quarterbacks all year, leading the league in QB hits, and he didn't let up today. Josh Allen was sacked, pressured, and generally harassed into a performance that felt a bit "kinda" frantic by the fourth quarter.
Why the Bills Stalled
Honestly, the turnover battle killed Buffalo. You can't fumble the ball three times in a playoff game and expect to win on the road against a #1 seed. Especially not in Denver's thin air. The Bills’ defense did their part by holding Denver to field goals late, but the offense just couldn't find that final spark. Matt Prater knocked through a 33-yarder to tie it at 10-all before the half, but Denver’s second-half surge was too much to overcome.
Late Night in Seattle: The NFC Battle
As the afternoon game wrapped up, all eyes shifted to the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers are essentially the most bitter rivalry in the NFC right now. These two teams split their regular-season meetings, and the rubber match today was for a trip to the Conference Championship.
Seattle came in as the #1 seed with a 14-3 record, but the 49ers are the team nobody wants to play in January. Brock Purdy has been steady, but the real story was Sam Darnold’s oblique injury. He hadn't thrown a ball since Thursday. Everyone was wondering if Drew Lock would have to step in. But Darnold is a gamer. He suited up, though you could tell he was a bit stiff in the early going.
The final score at Lumen Field was Seahawks 27, 49ers 21.
Seattle's home-field advantage is real. The "12s" were so loud it felt like the stadium was vibrating through the TV screen. Kenneth Walker III was the engine for Seattle today. He’s been a workhorse all year, and he found the end zone twice today, including a 14-yard burst in the third quarter that really broke the game open.
San Francisco's Valiant Effort
The 49ers didn't go quietly. Christian McCaffrey is still the best offensive weapon in the league when he's healthy, and he kept them in it with a receiving touchdown late in the fourth. But the Seahawks' defense, which has been the stingiest in the league this year, came up with a massive stop on 4th and 2 with less than two minutes left.
It’s sorta wild to think about how far Sam Darnold has come. A few years ago, he was a "bust" in New York. Now, he’s leading the Seahawks to a potential Super Bowl run. He didn't put up massive numbers today—mostly because Kenneth Walker was doing the heavy lifting—but he didn't turn the ball over. In the playoffs, that’s usually enough.
The Big Picture for Sunday
With today's results in the books, the bracket is starting to look very interesting. We know the Broncos are moving on in the AFC, and the Seahawks have secured their spot in the NFC title game. But who will they play?
Tomorrow's slate is just as heavy:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
The Texans-Patriots game is a fascinating matchup of two very different styles. Drake Maye has been a revelation for New England, but Houston's defense is legit. Then you have the Rams and Bears. Matthew Stafford is still Slingin' it, but the Bears’ defense at home in the cold is a nightmare for any visiting team.
Realities of the 2026 Playoff Picture
If you’re tracking the scores of all nfl games today, you're seeing a trend: home teams are dominating. Both Denver and Seattle took care of business at home. It makes those regular-season wins that secured the #1 seeds look even more valuable now.
There’s a lot of talk about how the "rest vs. rust" factor affects the top seeds. Both the Broncos and Seahawks had the bye week, and they both looked fresh in the fourth quarter today. Meanwhile, the Bills and 49ers—who both played grueling Wild Card games last week—seemed to run out of gas toward the end.
Buffalo's loss is particularly stinging. They beat Denver 31-7 in the playoffs last year. This was supposed to be their year to finally get over the hump. But Empower Field is a graveyard for visiting teams in January.
What to Watch for Next
If you’re betting on these games or just setting your fantasy playoff lineups, keep an eye on the injury reports coming out of tomorrow's morning walk-throughs. Sam Darnold's oblique is clearly still an issue, even if he played through it today. And for the Broncos, seeing Pat Surtain go to the medical tent with a shoulder injury is a major concern moving forward. He’s the anchor of that secondary.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Injury Wire: Monitor the status of Pat Surtain II (DEN) and Sam Darnold (SEA) tomorrow morning. Their availability for the Conference Championships will change the betting lines significantly.
- Rewatch the Third Quarter of Bills-Broncos: If you want to see how a defense can systematically dismantle a high-powered offense, that 15-minute stretch was a masterclass in interior pressure.
- Prepare for Tomorrow: The Rams-Bears game is expected to be played in sub-freezing temperatures. Look for the under on passing yards as both teams will likely lean on the run game.
The road to the Super Bowl is narrowing. Today was about the heavyweights defending their turf. Tomorrow, we see if the underdogs can finally bite back.