Jan 19, 2026
3 min read
No Bull thoughts, opinions and analysis on the Denver Broncos' divisional round playoff win over the Buffalo Bills
When I was young I often said, "I believe in Mile High Magic."What I believe in more these days is the tenacity and determination of our Denver Broncos.I'm proud of the way this team plays every game, giving everything possible to try to improve.
Broncos vs. Bills: Le 'No Bull's Playoff Preview
There are no Bull's thoughts, opinions and analysis on the Denver Broncos' divisional playoff win over the Buffalo Bills
This is a very special game.There was excitement, drama, success, failure and bravery on both sides of the ball from start to finish.
Also, let me say that I hate that the Buffalo Bills, their fans, and especially Josh Allen lost.I have a big heart for the Bills and Vikings, because I know what it's like to be a team that can't find a way to win a championship.
We have a lot to release here, so let's take a look.
Sean Payton's game design is in the game.We see a quarterback sneak with a fake gun.We got a gimmie touchdown to help relieve Frank Crum on the play.He threw everything and the kitchen in the kitchen of the Bills, only 4 healthy receivers remained in the game.
I just have to play, don't understand how we didn't use McLaughlin moreI get that he was mishandled, but defenses get paid too and we could have used his 5.3 yards.
Bo Nix is the real deal.This guy is a winner, a leader and the future of our franchise.It's a shame he broke his ankle.He was an absolute beast to hang in there to end overtime and help this team win.
Throughout the season, I've noted his need to improve his accuracy, but let me tell you that's not an issue with this offense.The problem is that he throws perfect passes to his receivers and they drop them.Bo will set records when this team puts weapons around him that can consistently catch.
As I expected, they had a lot of speed in the game plan for Nix and his legs were a big key in the presentation.
His involvement wasn't partly on him (more on that below), but that route wasn't obvious at all.I don't know the thinking there, but it certainly looked like Engram locked in on him from the center and decided to throw the ball there before he even got the ball.This was surprising because where the route was going was a back zone that could likely break up the pass, if not intercept it.
Even with our third string referee playing, that line was still playing great football.They allowed zero sacks, which is always impressive.
The one thing I would like to see more of is the use of our line in passing plays.During the interception, Bolles had his man look at Bo and jump up to catch him.He needs to commit and not let his man jump for free in the passing lanes.
Big kudos to Frank Crum for his touchdown.It was one heck of a play design that confused the outside linebacker and let him run free without a defender for one of the easiest touchdowns I've seen this season.
If Bo Nix hadn't thrown the ball, the team would have rushed 10 times for 41 yards.I'm surprised McLaughlin wasn't used more.He runs the ball so well and runs the football consistently.Early in the game, with poor blocking, he spun through players for a good pick that should have been blocked for a loss.If we're too scared to use him, please let the guy go to a team that wants him.
RJ Harvey continued to show us some pretty lackluster football.He fumbled a simple pass that was almost picked up by the Bills.Fortunately, it bounced to Bo, and he threw it away to save them from a bad game.He got a big job on one play for 12 yards, which looked great.Outside of that game he was 5 rushes for 8 great yards rushing.He did get 46 yards on 5 catches, which is definitely overkill
I've been saying all season that Marvin Mims needs to be used more in this offense.He came up big in this game, catching all 8 of his targets for 93 yards and a touchdown.He had a seam route for 27 yards, a key third down conversion after the 2 minute warning, a big gain in a 2 minute drill, and a corner to put the Broncos in the 4th quarter.Scored a touchdown on the way.
Courtland Sutton really kills me with his inability to catch the ball.If we are not stuck with him in 2026 because of his contract, I will let him take his inability to catch the ball to another team.I counted 3 big ones from Sutton.I got one of them (he had to put his arms around it), but almost in overtime, he lost two beads.Big time, our players play.Wanted.I give him credit for the pass that grabbed his feet to get the first down.It's scary to watch… but in my book, that's not bad enough.He was targeted 9 times in the game and only caught 4.
It was striking to see Pat Bryant being hit out of the game with a concussion after a big shot.He had 3 great custodes (and is one of the most reliable receptors of the Broncos) and looked like he was going to have a big role in the game plan.I'm not a doctor, but with two concussions so close together, my concern is that we let it come back too fast.
Lil Jordan Humphrey had the worst early fall.I thought it was a play made for him that was perfect.Bo made a great throw to his chest and it went right through his hands.To his credit, he won on a post route late in the second quarter and scored on a 29-yard pass from Knicks.
Honestly, this defense has worked for the Bills.Quarterback Vance Joseph gave up 117 yards to a sniff of Cook.Allen rushed for 66 more and nearly threw for 300 with 3 touchdowns.The whole game was long, the Bills just marched down the field only to be stopped by turnovers.
From a safety perspective, it's a trash fire for fun.
You have to give Cook and Allen credit because they are elite players, but I still (ridiculously) expect more from a defense that was compared to the no-fly zone earlier this season.
Where they get credit in this game is in the turnover department.They honestly warned us about our defense in 97-98.They played very opportunistically and often forced big mistakes in this game.This is the key for this team to win.
Nick Bonito played inspired football against the Bills.He held it for most of the first half before Allen scored a try with less than 20 seconds on the clock.Bonito chased him down and took the ball away.All-Pro Devon Key recovered to help the Broncos put another 3-pointer on the board.He was hungry for more, so he did it again with a strip sack on the first play of the second half.Bonito forced two fumbles, an A's tackle for loss, a quarterback hit and a sack.
Alex Singleton put a leg kick on Cook with his helmet on the ball to force Hufanga's flick on.He was often caught by Allen in the passing game.On one play, he lost his pass and gave up a 10+ yard gain trying to make a catch after a fumble.If you want a guy who can make plays and make a lot of tackles, Singleton is the football player for you.
Malcolm Roach had a great game from inside the defensive line for the Broncos.He received a split penalty with Zach Allen for a trick and lost seven.Later in the same drive, he dropped Allen, who was trying to pass him.He also threw a tackle for loss, three quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery.
The hero of the secondary this week was without a doubt Ja'Quan McMillian.I love seeing this nickel cornerback with a chip on his shoulder.McMillian plays his cock.In overtime, Josh Allen noticed that McMillian had chosen his deep option and tried to test him.Allen was thrown an interception when McMillian took it from Cooks for the biggest play of the game.
Pat Surtain II gave up a touchdown when he was tricked into thinking his type of move was going through the formation.He was also beaten on 3rd and 10 in poor coverage that gave too much cushion for Allen to close on the ball.
Riley Moss had a bit of a down day, and had a couple of passes converted, including one for a touchdown when he jumped over a receiver's shoelaces at a bad angle in an attempt to make a tackle.
Talanoa Hufanga absolutely killed Knox in the crossing lane with a big shot.Knox may have held on to the ball, but his bell rang for him.His pass defense was somewhat tight, as he dropped a lot of passes, including a fade into the end zone.
PJ Locke made a great play by intercepting Josh Allen on a deep pass.He read the defender, broke the ball and stepped in front of the receiver with perfect timing to catch the ball before it reached the receiver.Last year, Locke was one of the standout guys.I feel like he totally redeemed himself with how he calculated himself in this game.He forced a fumble and was also a pass defense
Jeremy Crushaw had one of the best punts we've seen him in his rookie year in overtime with a towering 55-yard punt down the sideline that went out at the 7-yard line.
As always, we have to give love to "Captain Ice-Water-in-His-Vines" Will Lutz.He had another complete game on the day with 3 extra points and 4 field goals, including the winner in overtime.I'm not taking any of these kicks lightly, especially as I see more games this postseason with a lot of missed kicks.
Let's face the emotions that work (because it's something I'm not avoiding this time).The main complaint I've heard is people saying that Cooks caught the ball and fell before McMillian did.You can't freeze-frame the game to make it look like it's real.This game is an action game, and there are clear rules.Feel free to look at Rule 8 Section 1 Section 3 c, which says,
- after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, he clearly performs any action customary in the game (for example, extending the ball forward, taking an extra step, taking the ball and turning up, or avoiding or moving away from an opponent), or maintaining control of the ball for the duration of doing so.
Cooks did not maintain control of the ball long enough to establish the catch.Simple as that.He didn't catch the ball and make a pass, so he has to keep possession all the way to the ground.McMillian cleared it and kept possession, so it's essentially his reception.
One complaint I keep coming back to is that the first of the two overtime interference calls was absolute horseshit.It was a fantastic shoulder pass from Sutton, but the defender played it perfectly.The difference on this play would have been another 7 yards back down the field, as the Bills had a 15-yard passer violation penalty on the play as well.Another interference call is a call that the defender clearly indicates before the ball arrives.
First of all, let's get a full recovery for the Bo Nixes with love and appreciation from Broncos countryKnicks has kept the NFL in the news with his play this seasonHe's a clutch quarterback for this team and will win a lot of games in the orange and blue.
Now let me assure you, Broncos Country.It has never been like this.We're 15 games without a win this season, just because of the quarterback.Plus, I remember how Stidham played in the preseason a few years ago and I was impressed.Sean Payton can absolutely win from a quarterback base.He already did it.Honestly, I think he's a better deep ball passer than Nix).
The songs have not yet come to our house and played.This defense is still full of dogs.This team has been playing each other all season.It doesn't stop with Knicks getting hurt.Be loud and proud for this team next weekend.We are still in this dance.
