The Buffalo Bills will clash with the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High this Saturday in a highly anticipated divisional round matchup. This contest marks a rematch of last year”s wild-card game, where the Bills dominated the Broncos with a 31-7 victory.
Heading into this game, the Broncos secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC West, allowing them a bye week after a successful regular season. In contrast, the Bills, finishing as the No. 6 seed, fell short of winning their division for the first time in several years. As both teams prepare for this playoff meeting, expert opinions are varied on who will emerge victorious this time around.
Expert Predictions on the Matchup
Expert predictions indicate a split between those backing the Bills and those favoring the Broncos. Vinnie Iyer from The Sporting News predicts a close game, forecasting that the Broncos will win 27-24. Iyer argues that the Broncos are not receiving the respect they deserve as a top seed, noting that this could serve as motivation for head coach Sean Payton”s squad. He emphasizes that the Broncos” defense could present challenges for Bills quarterback Josh Allen, contrasting it with the struggles Allen faced against Jacksonville.
In a contrasting prediction, Bill Bender, also from The Sporting News, anticipates the Bills will prevail with a score of 26-21. He attributes this to the “Josh Allen factor,” highlighting Allen”s impressive performance against Jacksonville, where he accumulated 306 total yards and three touchdowns while only being sacked once. Bender believes that winning the turnover battle will be crucial for the Bills, especially considering their previous playoff success against the Broncos.
Further predictions from various experts include:
- Stephania Bell: Bills
- Matt Bowen: Bills
- Mike Clay: Broncos
- Jeremy Fowler: Bills
- Dan Graziano: Broncos
- Kalyn Kahler: Bills
- Pamela Maldonado: Broncos
- Eric Moody: Broncos
- Jason Reid: Broncos
- Lindsey Thiry: Bills
- Clare Brennan: Bills
- Mitch Goldich: Bills
- Gilberto Manzano: Broncos
- Conor Orr: Broncos
- John Pluym: Bills
- Matt Verderame: Bills
Overall, 15 experts are backing the Bills, while 10 predict a Broncos victory. As kickoff approaches, anticipation builds around whether the Bills can repeat their previous performance or if the Broncos will secure their revenge.
In related NFL news, rumors are swirling regarding coach Kevin Stefanski”s future with the Falcons, alongside several other significant coaching discussions across the league.
