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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The Buffalo Bills advanced to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs with a 27–24 road victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round last weekend, with Josh Allen once again carrying the offense and setting the tone for the franchise.
Allen completed 28-of-35 passes for 273 yards and added 11 carries for 33 yards and two rushing touchdowns, with the Bills closing the game on a one-yard Allen rushing score and an interception by Cole Bishop with 54 seconds remaining to seal the win.
The victory marked Buffalo’s first road playoff win in 33 years.
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However, the Bills now head to Mile High to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos dealing with multiple setbacks, as wide receivers Gabe Davis (ACL) and Tyrell Shavers (ACL) are out for the rest of the season, while starting safety Jordan Poyer remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
While those represent three significant losses, Bills fans received welcome news on Friday, with the team officially activating WR Curtis Samuel and DT Ed Oliver from injured reserve, while also elevating WR Mecole Hardman Jr. and RB Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad.
The moves replenish a thin Bills roster one day before kickoff in Saturday’s pivotal AFC Divisional Round matchup.
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Despite limited production in 2025, Samuel and Hardman are veteran receivers with experience as slot/utility options and special-teams contributors.
Having both available provides Allen with additional intermediate and deep-threat options, offering game speed and immediate depth behind Khalil Shakir, Brandin Cooks, and Keon Coleman.
Gore spent most of the season on the practice squad after logging limited preseason and special-teams work, but can serve as an emergency ball-carrier and pass protector behind starter James Cook and primary backups Ty Johnson and Ray Davis.
Oliver represents the biggest boost, however. The former first-round defensive tackle recorded 12 total tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble in just three games before missing most of the season with a torn bicep that required surgery, followed by a meniscus issue.
Getting Oliver back for a crucial playoff matchup provides a notable upgrade for a Buffalo front that will face a balanced Denver offense with playmakers spread across the field and a quarterback in Bo Nix who can extend plays outside the pocket.
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The Broncos finished the regular season 14–3, securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage, with Sean Payton’s group tying a franchise record for wins and set to host its first Divisional Round matchup since 2015.
Denver is currently listed as a 1.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 45.5 points.
While Buffalo’s roster moves on Friday provide added flexibility, Saturday’s matchup remains the Bills’ most demanding test of the season and one that will significantly shape the future of the franchise.
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