Nothing to be mad about with this season.
On Sunday, the Denver Broncos were beaten by the Buffalo Bills, 31-7 in the wild card round of the playoffs.
Nobody expected the Broncos to even be there and many projected them to finish with fewer than 6-wins.
In what was billed as Bo Nix’s “prove it” year as a rookie quarterback, Nix proved he was NFL-ready and then some. Completing 376 passes on 567 attempts for 3,775-yards and 29-touchdowns, Nix’s performance this year was one for the record books. He shattered Marlin Briscoe’s rookie touchdown record set in 1968.
The shadow of Russell Wilson’s obscene contract won’t be as pronounced next year giving Denver in the neighborhood of $48 million to spend toward the salary cap. Denver also has a full bevy of early draft picks, something they’ve lacked in recent years—thank you Russell Wilson. Okay, Sean Payton, too, but Payton has proven to be worth the draft capital expended to get him.
Sure, the Broncos didn’t win, but they weren’t really supposed to even be there. It’s terrific that Denver outperformed Broncos Country expectations. However, now Broncos Country is again interest in Broncos football. No coaching searches. No quarterback hand wringing. Expectations for success are there. There is finally stability in Broncos Country. It’s going to be an exciting offseason as the Broncos add legitimate pieces that are sure to improve play into 2025 and beyond.
Now, if the Chiefs would just lose…
Headlines
Broncos’ season comes to end in 31-7 loss to Bills in Wild Card Round | Analysis
Following the Denver Broncos’ 31-7 road loss vs. the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, lead writer Aric DiLalla recaps the key moments of the game.
‘It’s got to fuel you and light a fire’: Broncos lament season-ending loss to Bills, plan to use experience to fuel future success
“The new standard has been set for this organization and for this team, relative to as of late,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said.
Broncos react following Wild Card loss to Bills | Inside the locker room
Go inside the Broncos’ locker room after Denver’s Wild Card road loss to the Buffalo Bills to hear from wide receiver Courtland Sutton, defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper, safety P.J. Locke and more.
Broncos season ends with loss to Bills in first-round playoff game | 9news.com
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Denver Broncos 31-7 in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY, on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Playoff loss shows what the Broncos need on both sides of the ball
Getting trounced in Buffalo showed that the Broncos need plenty of help on both sides of the ball, as offense and defense were both exposed
Orange crushed: Broncos dominated by the Buffalo Bills in NFL playoffs
The Denver Broncos lost to the Buffalo Bills Sunday in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs.The Denver Broncos fell to the Buffalo Bills XX to XX in the NFL playoffs Sunday, a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season.
Bo Nix says Broncos’ ‘trajectory is going up’ after loss to Bills ends successful rookie season
Following a one-sided loss to the Bills in the Wild Card Round, Broncos QB Bo Nix was looking to avoid the clichés after a quick exit, but he remains excited following a successful season.
Broncos faithful in Bills territory: Hear from Denver fans at Niagara Falls
Denver Bronco fans from all over the country are arriving in Buffalo, New York ahead of the NFL Wildcard Playoff Game.
Bills vs. Broncos final score: Bills win, set playoff date with Ravens
The Broncos continue their surprising season while the Bills look to defend home turf. Follow for live scores, highlights and more.
Josh Allen leads balanced offense as Bills dominate Broncos for 31-7 wild-card win | AP News
Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes, James Cook scored on a 5-yard run and finished with 120 yards rushing, and the Buffalo Bills leaned on a balanced offensive attack in a 31-7 win over the Denver Broncos in a wild-card playoff game.
It’s Arch Manning time at Texas: Quinn Ewers brought ‘Horns back, but team can’t keep ex-mega recruit on bench – CBSSports.com
Ewers’ future has not yet been decided, but Texas’ future is with Manning
Patriots hire Mike Vrabel as HC: Three-time Super Bowl champion bringing winning pedigree back to New England – CBSSports.com
The Patriots are bringing back a familiar face
Michael Strahan sends shot at Giants GM Joe Schoen as his former players prepare for playoffs – CBSSports.com
Strahan clearly doesn’t like seeing former Giants star for other teams
2025 NFL Wild Card Weekend: League to review seeding format as three teams with better record face road game – CBSSports.com
Division winners are rewarded with a home game regardless of their record
Matt LaFleur: This is a tough lesson, hopefully we learn from it – NBC Sports
The games took place in two different countries, but the Packers ended their season the same way they started it.
Baker Mayfield: Dumb stuff from loss will wear on me for a while – NBC Sports
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said that the team can be proud of how they grew together and fought over the course of the 2024 season, but those feelings took a back seat to less positive ones on Sunday night.
Jayden Daniels leads Commanders to a no-turnover, no-punt game for the third time – NBC Sports
Prior to this season, no rookie quarterback in NFL history had ever led his team to a game with no turnovers and no punts.
49ers interview Lions assistant Jett Modkins for their special teams coach opening – NBC Sports
The 49ers completed an interview with Jett Modkins for their vacant special teams position, the team announced Sunday night.
Bears complete interview with Ron Rivera – NBC Sports
The Bears reached into their past for their latest head coaching interview.
Baker Mayfield takes blame for costly fumble as Bucs’ season ends – ESPN
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield took the blame for a costly fourth-quarter fumble Sunday night against Washington and said that while it will “wear on me for a while,” he’s proud of the way his team competed this season.
Injuries add to Packers’ struggles in wild-card loss to Eagles – ESPN
The Packers’ struggling offense combined with some shaky special teams to doom them again in Sunday’s wild-card loss to the Eagles, with a quintet of injuries adding to their issues.
Patriots hire Mike Vrabel as 16th head coach in franchise history – ESPN
The Patriots have hired former player Mike Vrabel to become the 16th head coach in franchise history.
NFL announces schedule for upcoming 2025 Divisional Round
The NFL revealed the 2025 Divisional Round schedule for next week.
Commanders-Buccaneers on Wild Card Weekend Sunday: What We Learned from Washington’s 23-20 win
With a last-second win in the fashion their fans have become accustomed to this season, the Washington Commanders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 on Sunday night
NFL Divisional Round: Biggest immediate question for advancing/eliminated playoff teams
In this edition of The First Read, Jeffri Chadiha reveals the most pressing question for each of the NFL teams that advanced to the Divisional Round and each of the squads that lost on Wild Card Weekend.
Chargers OLB Khalil Mack contemplating retirement heading into potential first free agency
Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack, who is set to be a free agent for the first time in his career, said Sunday that he’s contemplating retirement.
Commanders-Buccaneers score, takeaways: Jayden Daniels outduels Baker Mayfield, sets up walk-off ‘doink’ FG – CBSSports.com
Washington gets its first playoff win since 2005
George Pickens gives stunning answer when asked about Steelers’ offense moving forward – CBSSports.com
Pickens had an eye-opening response to a question following Pittsburgh’s postseason loss
Jayden Daniels leads Washington Commanders to playoff win – ESPN
Jayden Daniels ran for a critical first down to set up Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal that clanged off the upright and went through as time expired, and the Washington Commanders edged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in an NFC wild-card game on Sunday.
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley’s late slide in playoff win stymies bettors – ESPN
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley’s late slide in Sunday’s playoff win over the Packers stymied bettors who wagered he would score a touchdown in the game.