Man, there is nothing quite like January football. Honestly, the energy in the air during the Divisional Round is just different than the Wild Card. It’s tighter. More desperate. If you’re looking for play off scores today, you’re likely staring at the slugfest happening in the AFC or waiting for the lights to come up in Seattle.
The big one everyone is talking about right now is the Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos.
This isn't just a game; it's a grudge match. Last year, Buffalo absolutely dismantled Denver 31-7 in the playoffs. You could tell from the first whistle today that the Broncos hadn't forgotten that. Playing at Empower Field at Mile High in January is a nightmare for most teams, and the top-seeded Broncos are leaning into that home-field advantage with everything they've got.
The Scoreboard: What’s Happening Right Now
As of late this afternoon, the Denver Broncos lead the Buffalo Bills 23-17 in a game that feels a lot closer than the score suggests.
It started out as a defensive masterclass. Denver’s defense, which ranked No. 2 against the run all season, was tested early by James Cook. He actually ripped off 38 yards on the opening drive, but Denver eventually tightened the screws.
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Here is how the scoring has broken down so far:
- Denver opened the scoring with a 28-yard field goal from Wil Lutz after a long, methodical drive.
- Buffalo answered back with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Mecole Hardman.
- Denver took the lead back in the second quarter when Bo Nix found Frank Crum for a 7-yard score.
- Buffalo managed a 33-yard Matt Prater field goal to knot it at 10-all before the half.
The second half has been a total whirlwind. Denver’s defense forced a massive fumble, and Bo Nix has looked surprisingly composed for a guy in his first real high-stakes playoff run as a starter.
Why the Bills Are Struggling in the Red Zone
You’ve probably noticed if you’re watching the live feed, but Buffalo is moving the ball. Josh Allen has been a beast on the ground, picking up huge chunks of yardage—including a 26-yard scramble that had the Denver sidelines holding their breath.
But once they get inside the 20? It’s like hitting a brick wall.
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Alex Singleton and the Broncos' linebacker corps are playing out of their minds. They’ve already forced a fumble from James Cook in the red zone and stuffed a crucial third-down attempt. If the Bills can’t convert these long drives into six points instead of three, they are going to be heading back to Western New York much earlier than they planned.
Tonight’s Late Game: 49ers vs. Seahawks
Once the dust settles in Denver, all eyes shift to the Pacific Northwest. The San Francisco 49ers (12-5) are heading into the "Loud City" to face the Seattle Seahawks (14-3).
This is the third time these rivals have met this season, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Seattle earned that first-round bye for a reason, but the Niners are coming in hot. Most analysts are looking at the matchup between Brock Purdy and the Seattle secondary as the deciding factor.
Lumen Field is famously difficult for opposing quarterbacks to hear their own thoughts, let alone a play call. If San Francisco can't establish the run early, it’s going to be a long night for them.
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Other Pro Sports Scores from Today (Jan 17)
While the NFL playoffs are the main course, there’s a lot of other action happening. The NHL and NBA are in the thick of their regular seasons, and some of those scores are just as wild.
- NHL Action: The Minnesota Wild just pulled off a thrilling 5-4 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres. Mats Zuccarello was the hero, burying the winner on a power play. Quinn Hughes also had a massive game with a goal and an assist.
- NBA Matchups: The Boston Celtics are facing the Atlanta Hawks later tonight. It’s a bit of a weird one because Jayson Tatum is out, so Boston is going to have to find scoring from somewhere else. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons are hosting the Indiana Pacers in a game that looks like a total mismatch on paper, with Detroit favored by double digits.
- New York Rangers: They handled the Philadelphia Flyers earlier today with a solid 6-3 win.
What to Watch for in the Final Minutes
If you are tracking play off scores today for betting or just pure fandom, keep an eye on the turnover margin. In the Bills-Broncos game, Denver has already won the turnover battle 1-0, and in the playoffs, that’s usually the "stat that matters."
Josh Allen is currently 8-for-10 passing, but he’s being forced to do too much with his legs. If Denver continues to drop seven or eight into coverage and dares Allen to run, he might wear down by the fourth quarter.
What you should do next:
- Check the weather for the 49ers-Seahawks game: There’s talk of rain in Seattle, which could completely change the game plan for both teams.
- Monitor the injury report: Pat Surtain II went to the medical tent earlier for Denver. If he doesn't come back, Josh Allen is going to start testing that secondary immediately.
- Stay tuned to the live broadcasts: CBS has the late-afternoon AFC coverage, while NBC will handle the primetime NFC matchup.
The divisional round is where legends are made, and based on the way this afternoon is going, we might be seeing a changing of the guard in the AFC.