The Denver Broncos defeated the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime on January 17, 2026, in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. With this win, Denver’s next opponent is set to be the winner of Sunday’s Texans vs. Patriots Divisional Round game.
### What’s Next for the Broncos?
The Texans-Patriots matchup is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN/ABC. Since Denver is the No. 1 seed, the Broncos will continue to enjoy home-field advantage. That means the AFC Championship Game will take place at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
Here’s how the “what’s next” picture shapes up:
– **If the Patriots beat the Texans:** Broncos vs. Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
– **If the Texans beat the Patriots:** Broncos vs. Texans in the AFC Championship Game.
Denver will be in the position to watch Sunday afternoon’s game and find out who will be coming to town next weekend.
### Preparing for the AFC Championship
One major benefit for the Broncos heading into the AFC Championship is a straightforward prep week: one opponent, one date, one venue. The AFC Championship Game is set for Sunday, January 25, and because Denver holds the top seed, the Broncos will host the game at Empower Field at Mile High.
Until the Sunday game concludes, Denver’s week will revolve around preparing for two possible opponents. This means scouting two different team styles — different defensive looks, pressure packages, and matchup challenges. No matter the opponent, the goal stays the same: win on Saturday, then take the final step toward Super Bowl 60.
### NFL Playoff Schedule: Key Dates for the AFC
The NFL’s playoff calendar is locked in with the Divisional Round happening on January 17-18, followed by the conference championship games on January 25. Here is the AFC slate relevant to Denver’s path:
– **AFC Divisional Round:** Bills at Broncos — Saturday, January 17 (CBS/Paramount+)
– **AFC Divisional Round:** Texans at Patriots — Sunday, January 18, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)
– **AFC Championship Game:** Sunday, January 25 (CBS; typically around 3 p.m. ET)
With the Broncos’ win over Buffalo, Denver advances to the AFC Championship on January 25. The only remaining unknown is whether the opponent will be New England or Houston.
### What Changed for Denver After Beating Buffalo?
Moving past the Bills doesn’t just mean advancing — it means entering the final stretch, just one victory away from the Super Bowl. A few key points frame the “next week” conversation for the Broncos:
– **Home-field advantage stays in Denver.** As the top seed, Denver’s biggest edge is playing at Empower Field. The win over Buffalo keeps this advantage intact for the AFC title game.
– **The opponent won’t be known until Sunday afternoon.** Denver will need to prepare for two possibilities — Patriots or Texans — until the January 18 result is decided.
– **The schedule is tight.** The AFC Championship is the very next weekend, making health management, practice participation, and player availability critical. Injuries and wear-and-tear in January can be a major factor heading into the biggest game of the season.
The Broncos now look ahead to one more final challenge in the quest for Super Bowl 60. With their home crowd behind them, Denver is ready to host and put it all on the line.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/playoffs-schedule/