Photos from throughout the Broncos' history with the Buffalo Bills.
Halfback Floyd Little runs downfield behind lead blocker Mike Haffner on a 66-yard touchdown run during a November 24, 1968 win (34-32) over the Buffalo Bills at Bears Stadium.
Linebacker Randy Gradishar chases down Buffalo Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson during the Broncos' 26-6 win on September 25, 1977 at Mile High Stadium.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson (12) gets sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Karl Mecklenberg (77) during the NFL football game on October 21, 1984 in Buffalo, New York. The Broncos won the game 37-7. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Michael Dean Perry lands a quarterback hit against Bills quarterback Jim Kelly during the the Broncos' 22-7 win on September 3, 1995.
John Elway salutes the crowd after a win over the Buffalo Bills September 3, 1995.
John Mobley helps make a tackle against the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on October 26, 1997.
Neil Smith makes a tackle against the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on October 26, 1997.
John Elway scrambles out of the pocket against the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on October 26, 1997.
John Elway drops back to pass against the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on October 26, 1997.
Vaughn Hebron returns a punt against the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on October 26, 1997.
Keith Burns and the special teams line up at scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on October 26, 1997.
Jason Elam kicks the game-winning field goal against the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on October 26, 1997.
Tyrone Braxton returns an interception against the Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on October 26, 1997.
Chester McGlockton celebrates his fumble recovery for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
John Mobley and Trevor Pryce converge to sack Drew Bledsoe against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Al Wilson celebrates after stuffing a Bills running back for a loss against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Trevor Pryce hammers Drew Bledsoe against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Kenoy Kennedy and Al Wilson converge on a Bills player against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Mike Anderson rushes the ball against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Clinton Portis rushes the ball against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Al Wilson stuffs a Bills running back for a loss against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
The Broncos offensive unit lines up at the line of scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Dwayne Carswell makes a touchdown reception against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Ian Gold drops a Bills running back against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Brian Griese looks for a receiver downfield against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Trevor Pryce moves in to make a play against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Rod Smith celebrates with his teammates after making the game winning touchdown reception against the Buffalo Bills at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO on September 22, 2002.
Mike Anderson breaks free on a run against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 28-17 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on December 17, 2005.
Photo: Trevor Brown Jr./Rich Clarkson and Associates
Rod Smith turns upfield after a catch against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 28-17 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on December 17, 2005.
Photo: Trevor Brown Jr./Rich Clarkson and Associates
John Engelberger makes a tackle against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 28-17 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on December 17, 2005.
Photo: Trevor Brown Jr./Rich Clarkson and Associates
Wesley Duke makes a reception over a linebacker against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 28-17 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on December 17, 2005.
Photo: Trevor Brown Jr./Rich Clarkson and Associates
Mike Anderson tries to break free on a run against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 28-17 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on December 17, 2005.
Photo: Trevor Brown Jr./Rich Clarkson and Associates
Jake Plummer throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 28-17 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on December 17, 2005.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
Rod Smith battles with a Bills cornerback for a pass in the end zone against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 28-17 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on December 17, 2005.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
Mike Anderson gives a Mile High Salute after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 28-17 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on December 17, 2005.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
Mike Anderson and teammates celebrate his touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 28-17 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on December 17, 2005.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
D.J. Williams brings down quarterback J.P. Losman for a sack against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 15-14 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on September 9, 2007.
Travis Henry tries to elude defenders on a run against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 15-14 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on September 9, 2007.
Jay Cutler throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 15-14 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on September 9, 2007.
John Lynch tries to bring make a hit behind the line against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 15-14 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on September 9, 2007.
Travis Henry makes a run against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 15-14 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on September 9, 2007.
Simeon Rice puts a hit on a receiver against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 15-14 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on September 9, 2007.
Brandon Marshall makes a touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 15-14 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on September 9, 2007.
Jason Elam kicks a field goal against the Buffalo Bills during the Broncos' 15-14 win at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY on September 9, 2007.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) sacks Buffalo Bills wide quarterback Kyle Orton (18) during second quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates after a sack during second quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) and defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) tackle Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson (22) during second quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) carries the ball after a reception during third quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) reacts after a sack during second quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos running back Juwan Thompson (40) carries the ball for a 47 yard run during third quarter action against the Buffalo Bills in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO, December 7, 2014.
Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) and safety David Bruton Jr. (30) tackle Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler (84) during first quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) takes the snap during first quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) hands the ball off to running back C.J. Anderson (22) during first quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
during first quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) drops back to pass during third quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) celebrates after intercepting the ball during third quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety T.J. Ward (43) tackles Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson (22) during first quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) carries the ball for a 6-yard touchdown during first quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) audibles during first quarter action against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, December 07, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
The Broncos' regular-season opener isn't for another couple of months, but over the next few weeks, DenverBroncos.com will take an early look at each game on the Broncos' 2020 schedule. We don't know how injuries could impact each contest, but we'll present the pressing storylines, matchups, questions and more.
It's never too early to start talking football.
We continue with Denver's Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills.
Storylines to monitor:
After the Broncos spend four of the first six weeks after their bye on the road, they are slated to return to Empower Field at Mile High for two of their final three games. That late-season stretch begins with the Buffalo Bills, who made the playoffs in 2019 for the second time in three years but fell in the wild-card round to the Houston Texans.
Led by quarterback Josh Allen, whom the Broncos passed on in 2018 to select outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, the Bills are one of five playoff teams from 2019 that the Broncos are scheduled to play this season.
Depending on how the season unfolds, this could be a matchup between two young quarterbacks who have taken major steps forward. Allen threw for 3,089 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions in his sophomore campaign, but he is still looking to prove himself as Buffalo's long-term answer at the quarterback position. Drew Lock, meanwhile, will hope to secure the same long-term stability for himself in Denver.
Yet, while the Bills added wide receiver Stefon Diggs via trade this offseason, this game has the making of a defensive struggle. Especially if the conditions are tough in Denver, points could be hard to come by. In 2019, both the Bills and Broncos ranked in the bottom 10 in points per game and were each in the top 10 in points allowed.
Player to watch:
WR Stefon Diggs
If there's a player that can give the Bills' offense a jolt, it's wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Buffalo sent a package of four picks — including their 2020 first-rounder — to Minnesota this offseason to acquire Diggs, who has posted back-to-back seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards. In 2019, Diggs averaged a career-high 17.9 yards per catch; that total ranked fourth in the NFL among players with at least 30 catches. Though John Brown and Cole Beasley have performed admirably, Diggs gives the Bills a true No. 1 option. Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye will face another difficult test.
The question mark:
Can the Broncos finish strong?
After a tough stretch against the Saints and Chiefs, the Broncos have a chance to rattle off some wins. They take on the Panthers on the road before hosting the Bills, traveling to play a Chargers team with an uncertain quarterback situation and then hosting the Raiders to finish the year. If the Broncos have hit their stride, it's not unreasonable to think they could string some wins together at the end of the season. It won't be easy against the second-ranked scoring defense from a season ago, but Lock and Co. should have enough reps under their belt to be at their best by the time the Bills arrive in Denver. If Denver can earn a win against the Bills, who seem like a surefire bet to be in the AFC East hunt again, it would go a long way toward securing a playoff spot.
The last meeting:
After reserve quarterback Brandon Allen won his first career start against Cleveland and nearly helped the Broncos upset the Vikings last season, his Week 12 performance didn't go quite as well. The young quarterback finished 10-of-25 for 82 yards and an interception as the Broncos were stifled in a 20-3 loss to the Bills. The game turned near the end of the second quarter, when Broncos safety Justin Simmons intercepted Allen with just over four minutes to play in the half. He returned the ball to the Buffalo 32-yard line, but a block in the back penalty on Kareem Jackson pushed the Broncos back to the Denver 47-yard line. Allen helped move the Broncos back to the Buffalo 25-yard line with 1:07 to play, but he made a poor read on a pass to Courtland Sutton. Tre'Davious White picked off the pass, and the Broncos never truly threatened again. Sutton finished with a season-low one catch for 27 yards.
