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[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills K Matt Prater may be X-factor against Denver Broncos

When the Buffalo Bills hit the field against the Denver Broncos inside Empower Field at Mile High, they’ll do so with one of the league’s most experienced active kickers who spent seven campaigns in Denver between the 2007 and 2013 NFL seasons. Now 41, kicker Matt Prater may be in rarified air as someone well-suited to provide the stabilizing kicking force Buffalo needs to come out on top in the Divisional Round matchup on Saturday.

To understand why and how Prater won the starting role for the Bills, one needs to look back to the summer of 2025. Buffalo entered last offseason with the expectation that incumbent kicker Tyler Bass would reprise his role as a steady points producer, but then things veered off course. Bass suffered an injury to his hip and groin and wound up on Injured Reserve (IR) to start the 2025 regular season. In truth, Bass would never appear in a game with Buffalo this season, eventually undergoing surgery late in the campaign that officially ended his season.

When Bass’ injury first made headlines, many wondered what One Bills Drive’s next move would be, with little time and energy to spare in scouting kickers ahead of Week 1. Plenty of kickers made their way through the doors in hopes that something would stick. In the preseason, Buffalo signed and rookie kicker Caden Davis following Bass’ injury, and at one point had to call on running back Ray Davis to handle extra-point duties. But neither situation proved tenable, and Caden Davis didn’t survive initial 53-man roster cuts.

With Bass on IR at the outset, the Bills turned to the steely Prater ahead of Week 1 — a signing that proved fruitful for both sides. Prater never looked back, and he’s proven to be one of the Bills’ team MVPs this season. Prater finished the regular season converting 18 of 20 field goals, with a long of 52 yards; adding 46 extra points on 49 tries. Prater also booted 84 kickoffs, notching 11 touchbacks.

If it hadn’t been true already, Prater’s value was fully evident when he suffered a quadriceps and calf injury to his kicking leg towards the end of the regular season that kept him out of action in Weeks 16 and 17. That meant Buffalo once again had to hunt for a kicker, which created an opportunity for Michael Badgley — who brought concerns as someone mostly used to kicking indoors. Things didn’t go well for Badgley in two games played, with him missing an extra point and shanking a kickoff that resulted in a penalty.

Prater returned for Week 18, but he re-aggravated the quad injury in action against the New York Jets. As such, Prater entered the playoffs as “day to day,” and all eyes were on the Bills’ kicking situation ahead of last Sunday’s Wild Card matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ultimately, Buffalo didn’t need to turn to practice-squad kicker Matthew Wright since Prater was cleared to play.

Against the Jaguars, Prater showed no ill-effects of the quad injury, booting field goals of 50 an 47 yards, plus three extra points. Prater appears to have put the injury behind him, with the Bills’ latest injury report listing him as a full participant. It’s an important bit of news for a Buffalo special teams unit that’s experienced a lot of unrest with both kicking specialist roles.

Now, Prater gets the opportunity to show how valuable his time in Denver could be for a Buffalo team looking to advance to the AFC Championship game. Heading into his 11th playoff game in seven postseason campaigns amid a 19-year career, Prater brings plenty of experience in high-pressure moments as someone who’s seen it all at the position. That may prove to be a key factor for a Bills team hoping to put past postseason kicking woes firmly in the rearview mirror.

What’s clear is that the Bills have found steady strength behind legs of Matt Prater in 2025 and his postseason availability is paramount to Buffalo’s success moving forward.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...prater-may-be-x-factor-against-denver-broncos

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills S Jordan Poyer, CB Maxwell Hairston ruled out vs Denver Broncos

The Buffalo Bills will head into their Divisional Round playoff game against the Denver Broncos without two important starting defensive players. On Thursday, head coach Sean McDermott ruled out safety Jordan Poyer and rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston.

It’s not ideal news for a Bills defense looking to slow down a Broncos offense that’s made a living with fourth-quarter comebacks during the 2025 NFL season. Fortunately for Buffalo, cornerback Tre’Davious White has been playing exceptional football, surrendering just three catches (including one touchdown), and a 33.2 passer rating allowed in the last five games (including playoffs), while earning a 90.7 coverage grade (first) with Pro Football Focus. White forced three pass breakups alone during the Wild Card playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend.

Still, without Hairston, the Bills lose the one player on defense with speed to counter any offensive player a team fields. Hairston has been dealing with an ankle injury he sustained late in the fourth quarter of action against the New York Jets during Week 18. That injury sidelined Hairston for last weekend’s playoff game against the Jaguars, and now will cost him a second-consecutive postseason game.

Perhaps the bigger concern is Buffalo having to march on this weekend without Poyer, who’s played an instrumental role in the defensive backfield this season. While many outsiders balked at a reunion with Poyer, once re-acclimated and ready for action, he hit the field for injured safety Taylor Rapp and helped second-year safety Cole Bishop blossom into a true threat in the defensive backfield.

Poyer suffered the hamstring injury in Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns. It’s an injury that’s cost Poyer several games, but one that didn’t prevent him from suiting up against Jacksonville. However, Poyer re-aggravated the hamstring last weekend and was later ruled out against the Jaguars. That now leaves the Bills in a tough spot with Poyer inactive for Saturday’s playoff game.

The challenge comes in trying to account for Poyer’s loss, where last Sunday those snaps went to rookie defensive back Jordan Hancock. Things didn’t go well for Hancock against Jacksonville, with him looking lost and too many steps behind on most plays sent his way. Hancock’s efforts last Sunday resembled a bit of what Bishop suffered through prior to Poyer’s return.

It remains to be seen how One Bills Drive will tackle replacing Poyer on Saturday, whether that means a similar role to last Sunday’s for Hancock, or if someone among safeties Damar Hamlin, Darnell Savage, or Sam Franklin Jr. gets an opportunity. Perhaps the most likely scenario is that veteran defensive back Cam Lewis finds his way to a bigger role in the back seven and fills in at starting safety, but it’s important to note that he primarily works at nickel cornerback behind Taron Johnson.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...-maxwell-hairston-ruled-out-vs-denver-broncos

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Bills injuries: 5 players questionable for Divisional Round vs. Broncos

The Buffalo Bills last official injury report ahead of their Divisional Round playoff game against the Denver Broncos reads a bit like Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales”: It’s a lengthy read with an ensemble cast. The Bills latest injury news covers 14 players, with five listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.

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Bills players ruled out vs. Broncos​

Earlier in the day, we covered the news that head coach Sean McDermott ruled out safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring) and rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston (ankle). It’s unfortunate news for regarding both players, but veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White has played fantastic football in his return to One Bills Drive as a starting boundary cornerback. The Bills do lose the element of speed that Hairston brings unlike anyone else on the team’s roster. As for Poyer, it’s a huge blow to the defensive backfield given the improved play since he re-entered the starting lineup to take over for injured safety Taylor Rapp.

As noted in in our other article on this front, it remains to be seen how One Bills Drive tackles replacing Poyer on Saturday, whether that means a similar role to last Sunday’s for Hancock, or if someone among safeties Damar Hamlin (more on him below), Darnell Savage, or Sam Franklin Jr. gets an opportunity. Perhaps the most likely scenario is that veteran defensive back Cam Lewis finds his way to a bigger role in the back seven and fills in at starting safety, but it’s important to note that he primarily works at nickel cornerback behind Taron Johnson.

Now, let’s run through the rest of Buffalo’s final injury report of the week…

Bills players whose injuries won’t sideline them vs. Broncos​

The encouraging news, as one would expect given the lack of breaking-new coverage this week, is that quarterback Josh Allen was again a full participant on Thursday and he has no injury designation for Saturday in Denver. In truth, Allen’s status was never in doubt even with a trio of injuries (foot/knee/throwing hand). Key for Allen against a potent Broncos defense will be limiting hits and over-extensions to each of those ailments.

Tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee/calf), linebacker Matt Milano (ankle), plus defensive ends Greg Rousseau (back) and A.J. Epenesa were each listed as limited for every practice this week. Now, all four enter Saturday without any game designations. Regarding Kincaid, it’s a situation where the team continues to use a monitoring approach to allow him the flexibility to practice or sit out based on how he’s feeling each session.

In a similar regard, kicker Matt Prater (right quadriceps/right calf) and linebacker Shaq Thompson (neck) do not end the week of practice with game-day designations after having been limited and/or not practicing during this week. These are injuries that Prater and Thompson have been managing for a bit now, but Thompson had no designation for Tuesday’s walk-through session before being limited on Wednesday and Thursday.

Prater’s status was a bit unique this week, where he began prep by not practicing on Tuesday, then back to a full participant on Wednesday, before being listed as limited on Thursday. McDermott explained that while Prater was listed as a “DNP” on Tuesday (what he would have been in a full practice setting instead of a walk through), it was more about providing the necessary rest.

Bills players listed as questionable for Divisional Round​

The Bills list five players as questionable for Saturday against the Broncos, which includes two active players and each of the three players still on Injured Reserve (IR) but who had their 21-day practice windows open. Linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf) practiced all week, though he did so in limited fashion — and that leaves his status as questionable this weekend. Running back Ty Johnson (ankle) was listed as a “DNP” for both Tuesday and Wednesday’s injury reports, but he logged a limited session on Thursday and enters Saturday as questionable to play.

As for the remaining players listed as questionable, they’re working their way back to playing shape within that 21-day practice window after being placed on IR. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver (biceps) practiced in limited fashion all week, but it’s important to note that the meniscus cleanup he had done is not a factor (and not listed) in his questionable playing status for Saturday. Safety Damar Hamlin (pectoral) and wide receiver Curtis Samuel (elbow) were both able to practice in full for each session of the week, but they land on the final report as questionable for the Divisional Round.

Thursday injury report pic.twitter.com/mzZh2LBoln

— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 15, 2026

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...-questionable-for-divisional-round-vs-broncos

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills prepping for altitude of Denver Broncos stadium in AFC playoffs

The Buffalo Bills won’t be impacted by the weather in Denver this weekend when they play the Broncos in the Divisional Round. The Denver forecast calls for a typically normal winter day in Western New York without snow at around 40 degrees at kickoff. One environmental factor that could hinder Bills players is the altitude in Denver. The Bills have been prepping for it all week.

Dion Dawkins spoke with reporters Thursday about the team’s altitude chamber in the training facility.

“We go in there every day and I’m in there running, like I’m on one of those Nike commercials with the mask and stuff on,” Dawkins said. “The whole oxygen thing is, if you ever seen it, it’s just like a room … pumping air in it, almost like a hyperbaric chamber type of thing. That’s been a part of our routine this week … I just want to eliminate it from anything that could possibly shrink the armor. Just trying to stay ahead of it. Man, we’re in a one game season, and I don’t want it to [end] because of me.”

With Denver 5000 feet above sea level, the amount of oxygen in the air is less than what it is 600 feet above sea level in Buffalo. Doctors recommend curtailing your alcohol use and hydrate, something that shouldn’t be an issue with Bills players but fans may want to take heed.

Josh Allen played college football at Wyoming, which sits even higher than Denver at 7220 feet above sea level.

“Physically it’s going to challenge you. I think the best thing we can do is not really talk about it, not really think about it, and not making it a problem. Just going out there and doing our job, getting on the sideline and getting some oxygen if you need it. I know from first-hand experience it is an advantage, but to have that mindset and understanding that it’s going to be tough but we gotta fight through it.”

Cole Bishop’s time at Utah (4600 feet above sea level) made him appreciate the difference in the air, as well. He said he’s confident his teammates have been working through it.

It didn’t impact the Bills in 2020 when they blew out the Broncos in Denver by a 48-19 score to secure the team’s first AFC East division title since the 1990s. Josh Allen threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns adding two rushing touchdowns with 33 yards on the ground. Dawson Knox caught two passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. Ed Oliver and Tre’Davious White had sacks, with White forcing a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...-stadium-afc-playoffs-thin-air-stamina-oxygen

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Bills OC Joe Brady to interview for Ravens, Falcons , Raiders HC jobs

The NFL postseason is a busy time for playoff teams, but also for those teams set to reset their organizations after previous shortcomings. For many offensive and defensive coordinators in the playoffs, January is a month filled with stressful game planning but also prepping for potentially life-changing head coaching interviews.

That’s true of Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who is set to interview for three NFL head coach openings on Sunday, less than 24 hours after Buffalo’s game against the Denver Broncos concludes. Per NFL National Insider Ian Rapoport, Brady will “speak” with senior front-office personnel of both the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, January 18.

Albert Breer reported that Brady is also set to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders, for their head coach opening. Brady has been a popular name to eventually take over as an NFL team’s head coach since the end of last season, with four NFL teams requesting permission to interview him this cycle so far. The 36-year-old Florida native has already interviewed with the Miami Dolphins.

Following his ascension to Bills OC midway through the 2023 NFL season, Brady found success almost immediately while in charge of directing Buffalo offense — one now led by current NFL MVP quarterback Josh Allen. Despite fielding one of the league’s least fear-inducing wide receiver groups, Brady has continued to get meaningful production out of every jersey number on offense.

Buffalo finished the 2025 season top five in total offense, boasted the NFL’s top yards/game rushing attack and the league-leading rusher in running back James Cook III — who finished with 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, and was named Associated Press Second-Team All-Pro.

#Bills OC Joe Brady will have two interviews the day after his team's divisional round game against the #Broncos: The plan is for him to speak with the #Ravens and #Falcons on Sunday.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 16, 2026

The Raiders interviewing Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak for their HC job on Sunday, per sources. Vegas is interviewing the Rams' assistants today, as they get closer to the end of their first round.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 16, 2026

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...-interview-for-ravens-falcons-raiders-hc-jobs

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills Divisional Round inactives at the Denver Broncos

The Buffalo Bills may have a long injury report this weekend, but the team only ruled out two players on Thursday leading up to today’s Divisional Round matchup with the Denver Broncos. Buffalo isn’t healthy, per se, but they at least were able to bring back some reinforcements.

Defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who was on injured reserve thanks to a torn biceps, and wideout Curtis Samuel, who was placed on injured reserve thanks to elbow and neck injuries, were both activated prior to today’s game. Both of those players will dress for the game, which is a welcome sight for a Buffalo team that lost two receivers to ACL tears just last weekend.

Which of Buffalo’s other players were ruled out today? Here is the full list of Buffalo’s seven inactive players.
_____________________________________________________________________________

RB Ty Johnson

While he was listed as questionable, Johnson only logged one limited practice this week. He gave it a go before the game, but he is once again inactive thanks to the ankle injury he suffered in the regular-season finale. Frank Gore Jr. joins Ray Davis and James Cook III as the active running backs.

TE Keleki Latu

With Buffalo’s top three tight ends all healthy, the undrafted rookie is a healthy scratch today. Last week, Dawon Knox and Jackson Hawes both outsnapped Dalton Kincaid, but it was Kincaid who caught a go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. All three are expected to play a large role today.

T Tylan Grable

Buffalo’s ninth lineman is a healthy scratch. The Bills will use Ryan Van Demark and Alec Anderson as swing tackles, with Sedrick Van Pran-Granger as the reserve interior lineman.

DT Phidarian Mathis

With a Denver club that emphasizes the passing game more than the running game, Buffalo will keep veteran Larry Ogunjobi—a better pass-rusher than run-stuffer—active over the one-tech Mathis, who has done a fine job as a rotational piece in the running game. Ed Oliver is back to play some snaps today, as well. Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders, and DaQuan Jones round out the interior line group.

LB Terrel Bernard

Buffalo’s defensive captain will miss a third straight game due to a calf injury. Veteran Shaq Thompson will start alongside Matt Milano, with Baylon Spector up to cover special teams duties.

CB Maxwell Hairston

The rookie is out once again after suffering an ankle injury in the regular-season finale. Tre’Davious White, Christian Benford, and Dane Jackson are Buffalo’s healthy outside corners.

S Jordan Poyer

The veteran safety is out after re-injuring his hamstring last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Either Cam Lewis, Jordan Hancock, or Darnell Savage Jr. will start next to Cole Bishop.

Gameday roster & inactives pic.twitter.com/HSMFJwmwVR

— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 17, 2026

Here are Denver’s inactive players:

our inactives for #BUFvsDEN.

» https://t.co/A39rHrNNBs pic.twitter.com/yAGLSLPmCf

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 17, 2026

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...isional-round-inactives-at-the-denver-broncos

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix broke his ankle during win over Buffalo Bills

In their victory over the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos quarterback suffered a broken ankle two plays before kicker Wil Lutz pushed three winning points through the uprights. Nix has been ruled out for the remainder of the postseason, which means that backup 29-year-old career backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham will try and guide the Broncos to Super Bowl LX.

It’s a situation that should have both the New England Patriots and Houston Texans peeking ahead to next week’s AFC Championship game, even if neither team should spend a moment doing it. It’s likely that whoever wins among New England and Houston will be seen as the odds-on favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, as, without Nix, the Broncos are far less dynamic.

The Patriots played the easiest NFL schedule dating back almost 100 years, which often included lucky breaks where opponents’ key starters were sidelined. That luck continues during the Divisional Round, where New England won’t have to worry about defending against wide receiver Nico Collins. In the playoffs, winning is as much about luck as anything else, and injuries are a part of the conversation.

During interviews on Saturday before facing the Bills, Broncos head coach Sean Payton confidently expressed his viewpoint that Denver had a distinct advantage thanks to the bye week. He doubled down on that sentiment out of halftime, stating that the bye shows up huge in the second half. In truth, that advantage didn’t have much of an impact on the outcome against Buffalo. Instead, an unfortunate injury to the Broncos’ best player may impact Denver’s chances at Super Bowl glory.

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...broke-his-ankle-during-win-over-buffalo-bills

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Patriots-Texans | Bears-Rams Divisional Round Sunday fan discussion

Here at Buffalo Rumblings, it’s a day of mourning for Buffalo Bills fans. The stench of a brutal 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos continues to waft down from up high in Colorado.

In perhaps his most chaotic postseason performance, quarterback Josh Allen committed four turnovers yet still managed to put his team in position to steal a victory in overtime. Unfortunately for Bills Mafia and football fans alike, officiating took center stage in overtime after allowing both teams to play a more physical brand of ball for 60 minutes. Now, the Broncos move on to the AFC Championship game, but without quarterback Bo Nix whose broken ankle will sideline him the rest of the postseason.

Today, we find out if the New England Patriots or Houston Texans are Denver bound. The Patriots host the Texans for a 3 p.m. EST Divisional Round matchup that’s certain to draw the interest of Bills fans. To think that quarterbacks Drake Maye, C.J. Stroud, or Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham could play in a Super Bowl before Josh Allen? Insanity. Still, if you’re of a certain age then there’s zero chance you want to New England one step closer to the Super Bowl.

Late on Saturday evening, football fans were treated to a terrible game between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Similar to Buffalo, San Fran just ran into a wall of injuries that proved to be too much to overcome, and it cost them big in losing 41-6. Will any team be able to stop the Seahawks?

Well, either the Los Angeles Rams or Chicago Bears are hoping to get a shot at it in Seattle next weekend. The Bears are a really fun story as an imperfect team that continues to surprise people behind the leadership of first-year head coach Ben Johnson. In their way tonight is a Rams team built for postseason play behind head coach Sean McVay and a wealth of offensive riches led by quarterback Matthew Stafford.

With that, here’s your open thread for all of Sunday’s Divisional Round playoff action. As always, be kind to one another — and in all things… Go Bills!

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...s-rams-divisional-round-sunday-fan-discussion

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Buffalo Bills 2026 NFL Draft order: 1st-round selection set after Divisional Round loss to Broncos

The Buffalo Bills lost a heartbreaking game to the Denver Broncos on Saturday, sending them packing into the offseason with haste. The first thing on a lot of people’s minds is the 2026 NFL Draft, where Buffalo can restock with some cheap talent at defensive end and wide receiver, among other positions.

Here is the current 2026 NFL Draft oder.

Updated 2026 NFL Draft order​

1. Las Vegas Raiders
2. New York Jets
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Tennessee Titans
5. New York Giants
6. Cleveland Browns
7. Washington Commanders
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Cincinnati Bengals
11. Miami Dolphins
12. Dallas Cowboys
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons)
14. Baltimore Ravens
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts)
17. Detroit Lions
18. Minnesota Vikings
19. Carolina Panthers
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers)
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
22. Los Angeles Chargers
23. Philadelphia Eagles
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars)
25. Chicago Bears
26. Buffalo Bills
27. San Francisco 49ers
28. Houston Texans

Source: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/bu...nfl-draft-order-1st-round-selection-finalized