9 reasons Broncos ended their 9-year playoff drought
I’ve gone through so many different coaches … and so many different quarterbacks, but to be in this moment … it’s the sweetest.”
It’s been a Von time coming. “I love him dearly. I think the world of him,” Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles said with a grin Sunday after Denver’s playoff-clinching curb-stomping of the Kansas City Chiefs when asked about a reunion with Bills pass-rusher and Broncos legend Von Miller next Sunday.
The last time the Denver Broncos played in a playoff game, Von Miller took home Super Bowl MVP honors after totaling 2.5 sacks and forcing two fumbles in a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Nine years later, the Broncos have now returned to the postseason and they are set to play against the Buffalo Bills — and Von Miller.
Bo Nix is the 14th starting quarterback since Peyton Manning retired and became the first since then to lead Denver to the playoffs.
It’s all love between Von Miller and the Broncos. In preparation to face his former team in the wild-card round on Sunday, Buffalo’s veteran edge rusher doesn’t want to act like he has hatred toward Denver.
We’ve been through the ugly," Sutton said. "For us to be able to see this other side of it, and to be able to have this opportunity to continue this legacy of this season, man, this is really dope.”
The Denver Broncos are back in the playoffs after nine years, and fans across Colorado are preparing for a road matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Vele has been one of the NFL’s most surprising stories this season. The former Ute was selected in the final round of the 2024 NFL draft, but has turned into one of Nix’s most reliable receivers. Vele has the third-most receptions on the team (41) for 475 yards and three touchdowns.
Receiver Emmanuel Sanders won a Super Bowl with the Broncos in 2015 with Gary Kubiak, whose stern-father leadership blended perfectly with an experienced team. Sanders played for Payton on the Saints in 2020, which marked the coach’s last postseason appearance when he knocked out the Bears and lost to the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers.
It’s been a while since the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos faced each other in a playoff game, and one person on the field on Sunday will have played for both teams.
On this episode of "Broncos in 60," quarterback Bo Nix talks about the Broncos' mindset going into their playoff matchup vs. the Buffalo Bills. Plus, cornerback Pat Surtain II gives his thoughts on the Wild Card matchup with the Bills.