The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers entered the playoffs with optimism after strong performances against the Kansas City Chiefs, but their wild-card round defeats revealed a stark reality. The Broncos, having ended an eight-year playoff drought, suffered a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, while the Chargers faced a disheartening 32-12 defeat against the Houston Texans.

Despite significant efforts this season, including close games against the Chiefs, both teams must now reassess their strategies for future contention in the AFC West. Coach Sean Payton acknowledged the need to improve home game performances, as the Chiefs continue to dominate the division.

The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers entered the playoffs with optimism after competitive performances against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, both teams faced disappointing wild-card defeats, highlighting the gap between them and the Chiefs, who have dominated the AFC West.

The Broncos, despite ending an eight-year playoff drought, were eliminated after a 38-0 victory over Kansas City’s backups, while the Chargers lost 32-12 to the Houston Texans. Both teams struggled to maintain leads and faced questions about their progress against the Chiefs.

The Denver Broncos faced a disappointing defeat in their first playoff game since Super Bowl 50, suffering against the Buffalo Bills. Despite the lackluster performance, the Broncos had an impressive season overall and will benefit from the playoff experience. Quarterback Bo Nix had mixed results, showcasing both questionable decisions and impressive throws. The team struggled with their running back choices, leaving Javonte Williams underwhelming despite a decent yards-per-carry average.

Wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims had contrasting performances, with Sutton emerging as a reliable target, while Mims and Devaughn Vele underperformed. On the offensive line, Garett Bolles stood out positively, contrasting with Mike McGlinchey's struggles. The defense saw some bright spots with Zach Allen's dominating performance, but overall, the unit struggled against a powerful Bills offense. Major adjustments will be necessary as the Broncos look to improve for next season.

The Denver Broncos experienced a mix of emotions following their playoff appearance, which ended in a disappointing loss to the Buffalo Bills. After reaching the postseason for the first time since 2015, All-Pro right guard Quinn Meinerz expressed the sentiment that while the year was positive, it fell short of expectations. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix made history by starting a playoff game, but the team struggled offensively, leading to a significant defeat.

Despite a strong start, including a touchdown pass from Nix to Troy Franklin, the Broncos' weaknesses in the ground game and receiver depth were evident. Coach Sean Payton emphasized the need for improvement, particularly in division rivalries, as they aim to dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs. Nix's performance, despite playing through an injury, showcased his resilience, highlighting the promise of a bright future.

The Buffalo Bills triumphed over the Denver Broncos with a decisive 31-7 victory, marking their fifth straight appearance in the divisional round of the playoffs.

The Broncos initially took the lead with a touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Bo Nix to Troy Franklin, but their offense faltered thereafter, failing to score again. Buffalo's quarterback Josh Allen orchestrated a dominant game, leading scoring drives on nearly every possession and showcasing the team's postseason consistency.