With the Buffalo Bills moving on to the AFC Divisional Playoff round, the team will head to Empower Field at Mile High to take on the Denver Broncos this Saturday afternoon. The Bills do have many injuries heading into this game, but they feel they are still ready to face a tough Broncos team.
The Broncos do have some skilled players on offense and defense that Buffalo will need to keep under control if they want to pull off their second straight road playoff game.
Four Broncos players who need to be contained
1. QB Bo Nix
After impressing in his rookie season, Nix has taken the next step in his development, helping the team go from the seventh seed in the playoffs last year to the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye this year. This season, the sophomore slinger has thrown for 3,931 yards, along with 25 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions.
He also has weapons at wide receiver he can throw the ball to, including Courtland Sutton. The key for Nix will be to cut down on turnovers and play a smart, efficient game by taking what the defense gives him and using hard counts more to draw the defense offside.
2. WR Courtland Sutton
Sutton has continued to be a dominant No. 1 receiver for the Broncos and has become Nix's new go-to target. He currently has 1,017 yards receiving on 74 receptions and seven touchdowns.
Even though he already has chemistry with teammate, wide receiver Troy Franklin, with whom they both played together at Oregon, Sutton's veteran status makes him the No. 1 guy for the Broncos to rev up their passing game. Sutton is also selfless with blocking while letting others catch the rock.
3. CB Patrick Surtain II
Yes, it's Surtain that he will one day be a Hall of Fame corner and be great like his father was. When healthy, he is a lockdown, man-to-man corner who can shut down lethal receivers in his way.
In 14 games played this season, he is credited with 47 combined tackles (37 solo), 12 passes defended, and 1 interception. He is also part of the Broncos' "No Fly Zone".
4. LB Nik Bonitto
Bonitto is a thumper at linebacker for the Blue and Orange. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, he brings size, quickness, and the ability to tackle and bring his opponents down hard.
Bonitto's stats are impressive, too, as he has 31 tackles and was 5th in the league with 14 sacks. If he wants to take advantage of a banged-up quarterback like Josh Allen, now is the time to show off his stuff.
But don't think for a minute that Allen will go down as a chump. He is so tough that he could play even if his entire body was wrapped up in plaster.
This game has Bills Mafia excited but cautiously optimistic for many reasons beyond the game itself. Whether it will be on offense or defense, all four of these players bring a threat to the Bills' season in this AFC Divisional Round showdown in Denver, Colorado, this Saturday.