In a victory that will be remembered as one of the most bittersweet moments in franchise history, the Denver Broncos secured a ticket to the AFC Championship Game with a heart-stopping 33-30 overtime win against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. The celebration at Empower Field at Mile High was abruptly dampened, however, as head coach Sean Payton confirmed that star quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle in the final moments of overtime and will miss the remainder of the postseason. This Bo Nix injury update has sent shockwaves through the NFL as Denver prepares to host its first title game since the 2015 season.

Nix Out for Playoffs: "Heartbreaking" Blow for Denver

The exhilaration of Wil Lutz's game-winning 23-yard field goal had barely settled when the devastating news broke. On the second-to-last play of overtime—a keeper designed to center the ball for the kick—Nix fractured his right ankle while being tackled by Bills safety Cole Bishop. Despite the adrenaline allowing him to finish the sequence, the severity of the injury was confirmed post-game.

"He's a tough cookie," Sean Payton told reporters, visibly emotional. "On that second-to-last play, he fractured a bone in his ankle. He's scheduled for surgery Tuesday. It breaks your heart because he's been the engine of this 14-3 team."

Nix, who finished the night with 279 passing yards and three touchdowns, will be replaced by veteran backup Jarrett Stidham. Stidham will now lead the offense in the AFC Championship Game against the winner of Sunday's Texans-Patriots matchup. "Stiddy's ready," Payton affirmed. "We've got a locker room full of fighters, and we'll rally around him."

Overtime Chaos: McMillian's Heroics and Allen's Agony

The path to victory was paved by a chaotic overtime period that epitomized the drama of the NFL Divisional Round scores this weekend. After the Bills won the coin toss, their opening drive ended in disaster. On a deep shot intended for Brandin Cooks, Broncos cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian made the play of his life, ripping the ball away from the receiver as they crashed to the ground. The Ja'Quan McMillian interception video has already gone viral, showcasing the controversial but decisive turnover that swung the momentum.

"I just knew I had to fight for it," McMillian said. "The ball was there, and I wasn't letting go until the whistle blew."

Following the interception, Denver's offense marched downfield, aided significantly by two defensive pass interference penalties on the Buffalo secondary totaling 48 yards. These crucial flags set up the chip-shot field goal for Lutz, sealing Buffalo's fate.

Broncos vs Bills Overtime Highlights: A Fourth Quarter for the Ages

Before the overtime drama, the fourth quarter delivered a frantic exchange of blows. Trailing 24-23, Nix orchestrated a masterful drive, connecting with Marvin Mims Jr. for a 26-yard touchdown with just 55 seconds remaining to give Denver a 30-27 lead. Mims was spectacular, hauling in eight catches for 93 yards and a score.

However, Josh Allen and the Bills refused to fold. With less than a minute on the clock, Allen drove Buffalo into range, allowing Matt Prater to drill a 50-yard field goal as time expired, forcing the extra period. The resilience shown by both teams made the Broncos vs Bills overtime highlights an instant classic, even if the result left one side devastated.

Josh Allen's Playoff Nightmares Continue

For Buffalo, the loss adds another grim chapter to their postseason history. Josh Allen playoff turnovers were the story of the game, as the Bills quarterback committed four turnovers—two interceptions and two lost fumbles. Despite throwing for 283 yards and accounting for three touchdowns, the mistakes proved too costly.

"I feel like I let my teammates down," a tearful Allen admitted in his post-game press conference. The loss drops Allen's career overtime record to an unfathomable 0-7, a statistic that will surely haunt the franchise throughout the offseason.

What's Next: AFC Championship Schedule 2026

The Denver Broncos playoff bracket is now set for a massive showdown. They will host the AFC Championship Game at Mile High next Sunday. Their opponent will be determined by the result of the Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots game.

While the city of Denver celebrates its return to the conference pinnacle, the question on everyone's mind remains: Can Jarrett Stidham replicate the magic of 2015's backup-led runs? With a defense that forced five turnovers and a home-field advantage that proved deafening on Saturday, the Broncos are still alive—but the road to Super Bowl LX just got significantly steeper.