Man, what a night. If you were looking for the score of the Denver football game this weekend, you probably already know it was a total rollercoaster. Denver walked away with a 33-30 victory over the Buffalo Bills in overtime, but honestly, "victory" feels like a heavy word today.
Mile High was shaking. You could feel it through the TV screen. But then everything went quiet when Bo Nix stayed down.
The Wild Finish: Score of the Denver Football Game Explained
Let's talk about that final score. 33-30. It sounds like a typical high-scoring shootout, but the way we got there was anything but normal. Denver was up 23-14 at one point. It felt like they had it in the bag. Then Josh Allen started doing Josh Allen things, and suddenly, Buffalo is up 24-23 with four minutes left.
The stadium was tense. People were already starting that "here we go again" mumble.
Then Bo Nix drives them down, hits Marvin Mims Jr. for a 26-yard touchdown, and you think, okay, it's over. 30-27 Denver. 55 seconds left. In NFL time, that’s basically an eternity. Buffalo marches back, Matt Prater (the former Bronco himself!) nails a 50-yarder, and we’re headed to overtime.
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Why the OT Win Feels Bittersweet
In overtime, the defense really stepped up. Ja'Quan McMillian—who is arguably having the best season of any corner not named Surtain—picked off a deep shot intended for Brandin Cooks. That was the turning point.
- McMillian gets the pick at the Denver 20.
- The offense takes over, needing just a field goal to end it.
- Nix keeps the ball on a run, loses two yards, and gets tackled hard by Cole Bishop.
- He’s limping. Everyone sees it.
- He stays in, throws a prayer to Mims, gets a pass interference call, and Wil Lutz chips in a 23-yarder.
Game over. Broncos win. Final score of the Denver football game: 33-30.
But the news that came out an hour later? That’s what everyone is actually talking about. Bo Nix has a broken right ankle. He’s out. Surgery is Tuesday. Just like that, Denver is headed to its first AFC Championship in a decade, but they're doing it with Jarrett Stidham.
Breaking Down the 2025-2026 Season Stats
This team finished the regular season 14-3. That ties the franchise record from 1998. You remember that year? Terrell Davis, John Elway, the helicopter dive? It’s been a long time since Denver felt this relevant.
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Sean Payton has turned this offense into something efficient, even if it isn't always "explosive." They aren't putting up 50 points a game, but they don't turn the ball over much—well, until last night. Five takeaways by the defense really saved the day because the offense was struggling in the red zone. They went 1-for-4 inside the 20. You can't do that against New England or Houston next week and expect to survive.
The Stidham Era (Again)
So, what now? The score of the Denver football game put them in the AFC Title game, but the roster looks different today. Jarrett Stidham has been in this system for a while. Payton says "Stiddy's ready," but we’ve heard coach-speak before.
The reality is, the Broncos have relied on Nix’s ability to extend plays with his legs. Stidham is more of a pure pocket guy. It’s going to change how Joe Lombardi calls the game.
What the Experts are Saying
Over at The Guardian and CBS Sports, the consensus is pretty clear: Denver’s defense is the only reason they have a shot now. Patrick Surtain II and Zach Allen (who made First-Team All-Pro this year, by the way) have to be perfect.
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Honestly, the Bills game showed some cracks. Giving up 30 points at home isn't ideal. But a win is a win, especially in January. If you're betting on the next game, the lines are already shifting. Denver opened as a small favorite since they're the #1 seed, but with the Nix news, expect that to move toward a pick'em or even making Denver the underdog at Mile High.
Actionable Insights for Broncos Fans
If you're heading to the AFC Championship game or just watching from the couch, here is what you need to watch for:
- Monitor the Practice Reports: Watch how much chemistry Stidham has with Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims. Mims was Nix's favorite target, but Stidham might lean on the tight ends more.
- The Defensive Pressure: Vance Joseph is going to have to blitz more. If the offense can't stay on the field as long, the defense is going to get tired.
- Ticket Prices: If you were planning on buying tickets, wait about 24 hours. The Nix injury news usually causes a slight dip in secondary market prices as the "doom and gloom" fans post their seats.
- Next Game Details: The AFC Championship will be next Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Keep an eye on the weather; January in Denver is unpredictable, and a "ground and pound" game favors Denver’s depth at running back with Jaleel McLaughlin and RJ Harvey.
The score of the Denver football game was a massive win for the city, but the cost was high. It’s going to be a nervous week in Colorado.
Check the injury reports daily for updates on the rest of the roster, as several players were seen icing up after that physical OT period. The road to Super Bowl LX just got a whole lot steeper.