Denver Broncos vs Buffalo Bills Match Player Stats (Jan 12, 2025)
Buffalo dominated Denver 31-7 in the AFC Wild Card playoff game on January 12, 2025, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The game drew 70,332 fans in snowy conditions.
Quick Game Facts
Final Score: Buffalo Bills 31, Denver Broncos 7
Date: January 12, 2025
Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Attendance: 70,332
Weather: Snow
Total Yards: Buffalo 471, Denver 224
Time of Possession: Buffalo 41:43, Denver 18:17
Denver scored on their opening drive with Bo Nix’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Troy Franklin. Buffalo responded with 31 consecutive points, controlling the game through a balanced offensive attack and defensive adjustments. The Bills advanced to the Divisional Round while Denver’s first playoff appearance in nine years ended.
Table of Contents
Top Performers
| Category | Buffalo Bills | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Passing |
Josh Allen
20/26, 272 Yds, 2 TD
|
Bo Nix
13/22, 144 Yds, 1 TD
|
| Rushing |
James Cook
23 Att, 120 Yds, 1 TD
|
Bo Nix
4 Att, 43 Yds
|
| Receiving |
Khalil Shakir
6 Rec, 61 Yds
|
Courtland Sutton
5 Rec, 75 Yds
|
| Defense |
Greg Rousseau
2 Tackles, 2 TFL, 1 Sack
|
P.J. Locke
10 Tackles
|
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
- Denver: Troy Franklin 43-yard pass from Bo Nix (Wil Lutz kick), 7-0 Denver
Subsequent Scoring
- Buffalo scored 31 unanswered points including:
- Tyler Bass: 3 field goals (longest 34 yards)
- Curtis Samuel: Touchdown reception
- James Cook: Rushing touchdown
- Ty Johnson: 24-yard touchdown reception on 4th down
Starting Quarterbacks: AFC Wild Card 2025 Performance
The quarterback matchup featured the 2024 NFL MVP against a rookie making his playoff debut. Their contrasting performances determined the game’s outcome.
Josh Allen Statistical Breakdown – Buffalo Bills
Allen completed 20 of 26 passes for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. His 135.4 passer rating came against a Denver defense that ranked third in the NFL during the regular season (18.3 points allowed per game).
| Josh Allen | Passing | |
| Completions/Attempts | 20/26 |
| Passing Yards | 272 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 135.4 |
| Yards per Attempt | 10.5 |
| Completion % | 76.9% |
| Sacks Taken | 2 for 11 yards |
| Longest Completion | 55 yards |
| Josh Allen | Rushing | |
| Attempts | 8 |
| Yards | 46 |
| Average | 5.8 |
| Long | 9 |
Josh Allen Playoff Stats 2025 Context: Allen won the 2024 NFL MVP award. The Bills committed just 8 turnovers all season (tied for fewest since 1933). Allen posted a 123.2 passer rating against the blitz during 2024 (16 TDs, 1 INT).
Bo Nix Performance Analysis – Denver Broncos
Nix opened with a touchdown pass to Franklin but managed just 101 passing yards after the first drive. His 43 rushing yards led Denver but came primarily on scrambles when passing plays broke down.
| Bo Nix | Passing | |
| Completions/Attempts | 13/22 |
| Passing Yards | 144 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 93.7 |
| Yards per Attempt | 6.6 |
| Completion % | 59.1% |
| Sacks Taken | 2 for 14 yards |
| Longest Completion | 43 yards (TD) |
| Bo Nix | Rushing | |
| Attempts | 4 |
| Yards | 43 |
| Average | 10.8 |
| Long | 18 |
Rookie Season: Nix threw for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns during the regular season (second-most by a rookie in NFL history). He finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Running Game Statistics – Wild Card Round
The ground game proved decisive as Buffalo controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the contest.
Buffalo Bills Rush Offense
Buffalo ran 44 times compared to Denver’s 17 attempts. The disparity reflects game control and Buffalo’s ability to sustain drives.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Cook | 23 | 120 | 5.2 | 1 | 19 |
| Josh Allen | 8 | 46 | 5.8 | 0 | 9 |
| Ty Johnson | 9 | 44 | 4.9 | 0 | 11 |
| Ray Davis | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 | 3 |
| Mitchell Trubisky | 3 | -3 | -1.0 | 0 | -1 |
| Total | 44 | 210 | 4.8 | 1 | 19 |
James Cook Playoff Performance: Led NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns during regular season, gained 1,009 yards.
Denver Broncos Rush Offense
Denver’s inability to establish the run forced them into obvious passing situations throughout the game.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bo Nix | 4 | 43 | 10.8 | 0 | 18 |
| Javonte Williams | 7 | 29 | 4.1 | 0 | 6 |
| Tyler Badie | 2 | 8 | 4.0 | 0 | 7 |
| Marvin Mims Jr. | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 4 |
| Jaleel McLaughlin | 2 | -2 | -1.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 17 | 79 | 4.6 | 0 | 18 |
Pass Catching Statistics – AFC Wild Card
Buffalo’s passing attack showcased balance while Denver relied heavily on Courtland Sutton.
Buffalo Bills Receiving Corps
Seven different players caught passes from Allen. The balanced distribution continued Buffalo’s season-long trend (13 different players caught TDs during regular season, tying NFL record).
| Receiver | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD | Targets | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtis Samuel | 3 | 68 | 22.7 | 1 | 3 | 55 |
| Khalil Shakir | 6 | 61 | 10.2 | 0 | 6 | 15 |
| Dalton Kincaid | 3 | 47 | 15.7 | 0 | 3 | 35 |
| Dawson Knox | 2 | 38 | 19.0 | 0 | 3 | 25 |
| Ty Johnson | 2 | 26 | 13.0 | 1 | 2 | 24 |
| Mack Hollins | 1 | 19 | 19.0 | 0 | 2 | 19 |
| Amari Cooper | 2 | 8 | 4.0 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Keon Coleman | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
Key Reception: Ty Johnson’s 24-yard TD came on 4th down.
Season Leader: Shakir had 76 catches for 821 yards in regular season.
Denver Broncos Pass Catchers
Courtland Sutton received 39% of Denver’s targets but couldn’t generate yards after catch. Franklin’s early touchdown was Denver’s only explosive play.
| Receiver | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD | Targets | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courtland Sutton | 5 | 75 | 15.0 | 0 | 9 | 21 |
| Troy Franklin | 2 | 54 | 27.0 | 1 | 3 | 43 |
| Javonte Williams | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Marvin Mims Jr. | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 0 | 4 | 15 |
| Adam Trautman | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Lucas Krull | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Jaleel McLaughlin | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Devaughn Vele | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Sutton’s Profile: Ranked 16th in NFL receiving yards (1,081) but 131st in YAC (179) during regular season.
Defensive Performance Metrics – Wild Card Playoffs 2025
Both defenses entered with strong regular season credentials, but Buffalo’s adjustments after the opening drive proved decisive.
Why Denver’s Pass Rush Disappeared
Denver led the NFL with 63 sacks during the regular season. Against Buffalo, they managed just 2 sacks. The difference: Buffalo’s offensive line allowed a league-low 14 sacks in 2024, with all five starters returning.
Denver’s Regular Season Pass Rush Leaders:
- Nik Bonitto: 13.5 sacks
- Jonathon Cooper: 10.5 sacks
- Zach Allen: 8.5 sacks
- John Franklin-Myers: 7.0 sacks
Playoff Production: Only D.J. Jones and Zach Allen recorded sacks (1 each).
Tackle Distribution – AFC Wild Card Game
The tackle numbers reveal which defense spent more time on the field defending sustained drives.
Buffalo Bills Defense (40 total tackles)
| Player | Total | Solo | Sacks | TFL | QB Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrel Bernard | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Matt Milano | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Taron Johnson | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Christian Benford | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Greg Rousseau | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Denver Broncos Defense (80 total tackles)
| Player | Total | Solo | Sacks | TFL | QB Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P.J. Locke | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cody Barton | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D.J. Jones | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Brandon Jones | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zach Allen | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Buffalo’s 40 tackles vs Denver’s 80 shows which defense spent more time on the field.
Critical Game Situations – Playoff Statistics
Success on third and fourth downs often determines playoff outcomes. Buffalo’s efficiency in these situations contrasted sharply with Denver’s struggles.
Third Down Success Rates
- Buffalo: 8 of 15 (53.3%) – Sustained drives
- Denver: 2 of 9 (22.2%) – Couldn’t extend possessions
Fourth Down Decisions
- Buffalo: 2 of 2 (100%) – Both in Denver territory
- Denver: 1 of 3 (33.3%) – Including failed fake punt
Red Zone Efficiency
- Buffalo: 5 trips resulted in 1 TD, 3 FGs, 1 turnover on downs
- Denver: 1 trip, 0 points
Special Teams Impact – Wild Card Round
Field position and kicking game reliability played key roles in Buffalo’s victory.
Place Kicking
Tyler Bass (Buffalo)
- Field Goals: 3/3 (100%)
- Longest: 34 yards
- Extra Points: 2/2
- Points Scored: 11
Wil Lutz (Denver)
- Field Goals: 0/1
- Extra Points: 1/1
- Points Scored: 1
Field Position Battle
Punting Frequency
- Buffalo: 1 punt (45 yards)
- Denver: 4 punts (192 total yards, 48.0 average)
Return Game
- Buffalo: Ty Johnson averaged 29.5 yards on 2 kick returns
- Denver: Tremon Smith managed 16 yards on 1 return
- Punt Returns: Khalil Shakir (Buffalo) 30 yards on 2 returns, Marvin Mims Jr. (Denver) 0 yards on 1 return
Complete Team Statistics – Bills vs Broncos Playoff Game
| Statistical Category | Denver | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 13 | 26 |
| – Passing | 7 | 11 |
| – Rushing | 5 | 14 |
| – Penalty | 1 | 1 |
| Total Offensive Plays | 42 | 72 |
| Average Gain per Play | 5.3 | 6.5 |
| Total Offense | 224 | 471 |
| – Passing | 145 | 261 |
| – Rushing | 79 | 210 |
| Penalties | 3-27 | 7-45 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of Possession | 18:17 | 41:43 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who won the Bills vs Broncos playoff game?
A: Buffalo Bills won 31-7
Q: How many passing yards did Josh Allen have?
A: 272 yards on 20/26 passing
Q: What were Josh Allen’s playoff stats against Denver?
A: 20/26, 272 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, 135.4 rating, plus 8 rushes for 46 yards
Q: Who scored touchdowns for Buffalo?
A: Curtis Samuel (receiving), James Cook (rushing), Ty Johnson (receiving)
Q: How many sacks did Denver’s defense record?
A: 2 sacks (D.J. Jones and Zach Allen with 1 each)
Q: What was James Cook’s rushing performance?
A: 23 carries for 120 yards and 1 touchdown
Q: How did Bo Nix perform in his playoff debut?
A: 13/22, 144 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, plus 43 rushing yards on 4 carries
Q: What was the time of possession difference?
A: Buffalo 41:43, Denver 18:17
Historical Context and Game Notes
This game marked Denver’s first playoff appearance since winning Super Bowl 50 nine years earlier. The Bills extended their home playoff winning streak while advancing in the AFC playoffs. Weather conditions included snow throughout the game at Highmark Stadium.
For additional Buffalo playoff coverage: Bills vs Chiefs Match Stats
For Denver’s 2024 season review: Broncos Regular Season Stats
Game Officials
Referee: Bill Vinovich
Crew: Tab Slaughter, Frank Steratore, Jabir Walker, Jimmy Russell, Tripp Sutter, Dale Keller
The comprehensive player statistics from the Denver Broncos vs Buffalo Bills Wild Card matchup demonstrate Buffalo’s superiority in every phase. Their offensive line neutralized Denver’s pass rush, Josh Allen distributed the ball efficiently to multiple receivers, and James Cook controlled the ground game. Denver’s season ended after managing just one scoring drive, while Buffalo advanced with a convincing 31-7 victory.
Data compiled from: NFL.com, ESPN, CBS Sports, Pro Football Reference
