The tension in the Mile High air is basically at a boiling point right now. If you're frantically refreshing your phone to find out what is the score on the Denver Broncos game, here is the deal: the Denver Broncos are currently hosting the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field at Mile High for a massive AFC Divisional Round showdown. This is the first time Denver has hosted a playoff game in ten years—the last one being that legendary 2016 AFC Championship win over Tom Brady and the Patriots.
As of kickoff today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the game is just getting underway. Denver entered this matchup as the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a stellar 14-3 regular-season record, having earned the only first-round bye in the conference. Meanwhile, the Bills are coming in hot (but banged up) after a gritty 27-24 Wild Card win over the Jaguars.
The Score and Live Game Flow
Honestly, the Broncos have been waiting for this moment since Sean Payton arrived. After finishing the regular season with a dominant 19-3 victory over the Chargers back on January 4th, they've had two full weeks to rest. Bo Nix, the rookie-turned-franchise-savior, is making his home playoff debut today.
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For those tracking the live movement:
- Current Status: Kickoff was scheduled for 2:30 PM MT (4:30 PM ET).
- Broadcast: You can catch the live action on CBS or stream it via Paramount+.
- The Vibe: Denver is a 1.5-point favorite, but interestingly, some sportsbooks actually moved the line toward Buffalo earlier this week because of Josh Allen's playoff pedigree.
Why This Specific Game Matters So Much
This isn't just another game on the schedule. It's a revenge match. Last year, Buffalo absolutely dismantled Denver 31-7 in the playoffs. Coach Sean Payton hasn't forgotten that. He’s been vocal about "earning the edge" of home-field advantage specifically to avoid a repeat of that disaster.
Denver's defense, led by Ja'Quan McMillian (who had a massive 45-yard pick-six in the season finale) and sack-leader Nik Bonitto, is tasked with containing a Josh Allen who is playing through foot and finger injuries. But don't let the injuries fool you; Allen still put up over 300 yards and three scores against Jacksonville last week.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
The Broncos' path to the AFC Championship depends on Bo Nix's ability to stay cool. He threw for nearly 4,000 yards this season, mostly by feeding Courtland Sutton, who hauled in 7 touchdowns. On the flip side, the Bills are struggling with depth at wide receiver. Both Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers are out with ACL tears.
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Basically, it's going to come down to whether Denver's rested secondary can choke out Khalil Shakir and a returning (but likely rusty) Curtis Samuel. If Denver wins today, they'll host the winner of the Texans-Patriots game next week for a trip to the Super Bowl.
What to Do if You Missed the Start
If you just tuned in and missed the opening drives, don't sweat it. The altitude usually starts playing a factor in the second half when opposing teams start sucking wind. You’ve got a long game ahead.
- Watch for: The run game. Denver's RJ Harvey has been a touchdown machine, and Buffalo’s run defense has been suspect at times this year.
- Listen for: The crowd. Empower Field hasn't been this loud since the Peyton Manning era.
Actionable Next Steps:
To stay updated on every scoring drive without refreshing your browser every five seconds, you should enable "Live Activities" on your NFL or ESPN mobile app. This puts a real-time scoreboard directly on your lock screen. If you’re looking for a deeper tactical breakdown after the final whistle, keep an eye on the post-game press conferences on the Broncos' official YouTube channel, where Payton usually gives a pretty blunt assessment of the team's performance.