The Denver Broncos travel to Buffalo, NY on Sunday, January 12 at 1:00 to play the Bills in an American Football Conference (AFC)Wild Card Game. Buffalo is the No. 2 seed and Denver is the No. 7 seed. The Kansas City Chiefs are the top seed in the AFC, and the Bills will host all playoff games until they play the Chiefs. Buffalo is 13-4 and Denver is 10-7.
Weather is always a factor in Buffalo in the winter, but the temperature is forecast to be 31 degrees Fahrenheit. It is only supposed to be cloudy, so the weather for the game should not be that bad. Buffalo is favored in the matchup by 8.5 points, the over/under is 47.5, and Buffalo should win comfortably. This article previews both teams and gives some key players for each team.
Denver Broncos Keys To Victory
The Denver Broncos need to control the ball, so a rushing attack will be crucial to them. It would be good for Denver if they could control the time of possession. That could be problematic. Also, the Denver defense must play well and contain the potent Buffalo offensive attack. The Broncos should try to win the turnover battle and an aggressive defense is important to that.
This may not be a stretch for them as the Broncos had the seventh-rated defense in the National Football League. Lastly, the Broncos could use a big play on special teams, like a kick return for a touchdown. Look, they are underdogs and need some magic.
Denver’s Important Players
Because the Denver Broncos need to control the ball it will be important to have a good ground game and dominate the time of possession. Ideally, they would possess the ball for at least 35 minutes, maybe more. That could be a problem because the Broncos only averaged possessing the ball for 30 minutes during the regular season.
Denver Quarterback Bo Nix needs to rush for 80 yards, and so does Running Back Jaleel McLaughlin. The entire defense is important for the Denver Broncos because they need to both contain the Buffalo offense and force turnovers. Because the Broncos would benefit from a kick return for a touchdown Marvin Mims Jr. is important.
Buffalo Bills Keys to Victory
For the Buffalo Bills, it is all about offense, like it has been all season. That begins with Josh Allen, who might be the Most Valuable Player in the National Football League. Allen needs to run wild and hit big plays. Big plays are important to Buffalo. They should try to strike fast and they do not need to dominate the time of possession.
It is important to them to not turn the ball over and avoid mistakes, like penalties. Penalties are the surest way for a favorite to fall to an underdog. Another equalizing factor is the weather, although the weather does not seem like it will be a factor in Buffalo.
Buffalo’s Important Players
Buffalo quarterback and Most Valuable Player candidate Josh Allen needs to play well. It would be advantageous for Buffalo if he scored at least three touchdowns. To hit big plays, Buffalo could get a big run from starting Running Back James Cook. Or Allen could hit any of Buffalo’s talented wide receivers, though his favorite target seems Khalil Shakir. Because Buffalo must not turn the ball over and should minimize penalties every player on the roster will be crucial.
Conclusion
The Buffalo Bills should win this game, the seeding in the American Football Conference dictates it. The weather could be an equalizer, but the weather forecast is for calm and cold conditions, it will not even be too windy. Hence the point spread favoring the Buffalo Bills over the Denver Broncos. The Bills should win the game, so long as they do not hurt themselves with penalties or turnovers.
