Broncos find way again as Bills' OT woes continue in playoffs - ESPN

DENVER — In a city that has seen more than its share of memorable playoff moments, add Saturday night's 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills to the best-of-the-best list, though it came at a huge cost.

The Broncos overcame reigning league MVP Josh Allen, some unexpected struggles on defense and a sputtering offense for much of the second half to author the memorable win that keeps them in the postseason. The Broncos advance to their first AFC Championship Game since they ended the 2015 season with a Super Bowl 50 win. But they will have to play without starting quarterback Bo Nix, who broke his ankle on the second-to-last play of the game and will miss the remainder of the playoffs. Now, backup Jarrett Stidham will face the winner of Sunday's matchup between the Texans and Patriots.

Before the injury, Denver needed an otherworldly interception from Ja'Quan McMillian in overtime, a clutch drive late in the fourth quarter that was capped by a 26-yard touchdown pass from Nix to Marvin Mims Jr. and a 75-yard march in OT to advance.

A year ago, Broncos coach Sean Payton stood on the sideline in Highmark Stadium as the Buffalo Bills put the finishing touches on a 31-7 playoff win over the Broncos and told himself Denver needed to find a way to «have those kinds of games» at home.

The Broncos went 14-3 to get that wish as the AFC's No. 1 seed. In front of a frenzied home crowd, they had five takeaways in a game that was a struggle nonetheless.

And the fifth of those takeaways, McMillian forcing Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks to fumble with 7:46 left in overtime, will be remembered. Concerns over the run defense — a season-high 176 yards rushing allowed in regulation — injuries at wide receiver and a balky red zone