The Denver Broncos just finished a statement regular season, but if you're looking for the live what is the score of the Denver Broncos football game right now, there’s a bit of a lull in the action. They aren't playing today. Denver wrapped up their Week 18 finale on January 4, 2026, with a suffocating 19-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. That victory wasn't just another notch on the belt; it secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Honestly, the energy in Mile High is different this year.
Since the team earned a first-round bye, they spent last weekend watching the Wild Card chaos from their couches. It's a well-deserved break. The Broncos finished the regular season with a stellar 14-3 record, tying a franchise record for wins that hasn't been touched since the legendary 1998 season.
The Last Score: Broncos 19, Chargers 3
If you missed the Week 18 game, it was a masterclass in Sean Payton's "grind them down" philosophy. It wasn't exactly a shootout. Wil Lutz was the busiest man on the field, knocking through four field goals from 24, 26, 41, and 23 yards.
The highlight of the day? Ja'Quan McMillian.
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The cornerback picked off a pass and took it 45 yards to the house in the first quarter. That defensive score basically sucked the air out of the Chargers early. From there, the Denver defense just sat on them. Los Angeles could only muster a lone field goal from Cameron Dicker right before halftime.
Why the No. 1 Seed Matters
Securing the top spot is huge. It means the road to the Super Bowl goes through Empower Field at Mile High. Ask any visiting quarterback—playing at altitude in January is a nightmare.
The Broncos haven't had home-field advantage throughout the playoffs since 2015, which, as every fan knows, was the last time they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. The 10-year drought of playoff success is officially over.
Upcoming Schedule: The Divisional Round
Mark your calendars. The next time you'll be checking for a live score is Saturday, January 17, 2026.
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Denver is set to host the Buffalo Bills. This is a massive matchup. The Bills are coming in hot after a strong regular season and a Wild Card win, and Josh Allen vs. this Denver secondary is the definition of "must-watch TV."
- Opponent: Buffalo Bills
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
- Time: 2:30 PM MT (4:30 PM ET)
- Location: Empower Field at Mile High
- Broadcast: CBS
How Denver Got Here
This 14-3 run didn't happen by accident. They’ve been incredibly resilient in close games. Experts like those at Predominantly Orange noted that the Broncos won 11 regular-season games decided by one score this year. That is a statistical anomaly that usually points to either extreme luck or elite coaching and composure.
Given how Sean Payton has this locker room operating, most are leaning toward the latter.
The defense has been the backbone. Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto have been wrecking offensive lines all year, while Patrick Surtain II remains the "no-fly zone" incarnate. On the other side of the ball, the offense has become a methodical machine. They don't always put up 40 points—though they did against Dallas in October—but they protect the ball and win the field position battle.
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Key Stats from the 2025-2026 Season
The numbers tell a story of efficiency. Denver's offense averaged 5.2 yards per play, while the defense held opponents to just 4.3. That gap is where championships are won.
Interestingly, the Broncos' turnover ratio ended at -3 for the season, which is usually a bad sign. However, their ability to stop teams in the red zone and Wil Lutz's consistency (28 of 32 on field goals) kept them on the winning side of the ledger.
What to Watch For Against Buffalo
The Bills are a different beast than the Chargers' backups Denver saw in Week 18. To keep the winning score in Denver's favor next Saturday, the pass rush has to get home. If Josh Allen has five seconds to scan the field, eventually someone gets open, even against Surtain.
Denver's offensive line, led by First-Team All-Pros Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz, needs to dominate the trenches. If the Broncos can run the ball and keep Allen on the sideline, they’ll cruise to the AFC Championship game.
If they win, they’ll host either the Houston Texans or the New England Patriots the following week.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the weather forecast for Saturday’s game; early projections suggest a classic chilly Denver afternoon which favors the home run game.
- Ensure your streaming services (Paramount+ or local CBS) are ready for the 2:30 PM MT kickoff.
- Monitor the injury report for any updates on the secondary, as depth will be tested against Buffalo’s receiving corps.