Key Takeaways
- The “Brick”: Tyler Bass missed a 33-yard field goal late in the game, allowing Denver to force and win in overtime.
- The Fallout: Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula fired head coach Sean McDermott hours after the loss.
- What’s Next: The Denver Broncos advance to the AFC Championship to face the New England Patriots.
DENVER — The nightmare returned to Buffalo, and it brought a pink slip with it. Tyler Bass pushed a 33-yard chip shot wide right in the freezing Mile High wind, a mistake that ultimately handed the Denver Broncos a 33-30 overtime victory and sent the Buffalo Bills into a franchise-altering tailspin.
The Miss That Broke the Bills
With the game tied late and the Bills offense stalling in the red zone, Sean McDermott called for the field goal unit. Bass, who has struggled with consistency throughout the 2025 season, never looked comfortable. As the ball snapped, a 25-mph gust caught the kick, sending it drifting past the upright. The stadium shook as the Broncos sideline erupted.
Bo Nix didn’t waste the second life. The Broncos quarterback orchestrated a clinical overtime drive, finishing 26-of-46 for 279 yards and three touchdowns. Denver kicker Harrison Mevis showed Bass how it was done, drilling a 42-yarder to seal the 33-30 win and send Denver to its first AFC Championship game in a decade.
Game Comparison: Bills vs. Broncos (Divisional Round)
| Category | Buffalo Bills | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 30 | 33 (OT) |
| Total Yards | 412 | 388 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Key Stat | Tyler Bass: 1/3 FG | Bo Nix: 3 TD |
What They Said
“I made the decision it was time for a change of direction. We hit the proverbial playoff wall one too many times. Our fans deserve better than ‘almost’ every January.” — Terry Pegula, Bills Owner, on firing Sean McDermott
“I let the team down. There’s no excuse for missing a 33-yarder, wind or no wind. It’s a kick I have to make 100 times out of 100.” — Tyler Bass, Bills Kicker
Playoff Implications: The Road to Super Bowl LX
The Bills’ “Super Bowl Window” didn’t just slam shut; it shattered. By firing Sean McDermott, Pegula signaled a total rebuild of the team’s culture around Josh Allen. Allen finished the game with 310 passing yards and two scores, but his 2-6 record after the Wild Card round remains the albatross around his neck.
Denver now prepares for a “Changing of the Guard” showdown. They will host the New England Patriots and rookie sensation Drake Maye next Sunday. While the Bills search for a new leader, the Broncos are one win away from San Francisco and Super Bowl LX.
