Denver to host Buffalo in legacy-building game for Bo Nix
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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. Photo: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Far above the manicured grass at Empower Field, overlooking stands packed with Denver Broncos faithful, a massive orange sign displays 7, 18 and 44.
Zoom in: Those three numbers are sacred in Denver lore, belonging to players who defined the franchise, broke records and, perhaps most importantly, brought the team Super Bowl glory.
- Sported by John Elway (7), Peyton Manning and Frank Tripucka (18), and Floyd Little (44), those jersey numbers cannot be worn again.
Why it matters: Bo Nix can take his first step toward one day seeing his No. 10 retired as he leads the top-seeded Broncos against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday in Denver's first home playoff game in a decade.
State of play: The Broncos finished the regular season with a franchise record-tying 14 victories, losing just one home game as they squeaked out win after win to secure their second consecutive playoff berth.
- Nix, in his second year in the league, has been remarkable, but an uneven offense is perhaps the biggest question mark for Saturday's showdown.
Case in point: Denver started as a betting underdog this week before moving into a 1.5 favorite by Thursday, per NBC Sports.
Stunning stat: Eleven Denver wins came in one-score games — tying an NFL record.
Context: The Broncos' elite defense, which recorded a monstrous 68 sacks, is a big reason Denver fans are eyeing the franchise's fourth Lombardi Trophy.
- The unit is led by lineman Zach Allen, linebacker Nik Bonitto and cornerback Pat Surtain II.
The Buffalo Bills are led by reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, whose supporting cast includes running back James Cook, tight end Dalton Kincaid and wide receiver Khalil Shakir.
The intrigue: Denver might have an unexpected fan on Saturday in Allen's wife, actress Hailee Steinfeld, whose 10-year-old social media post showing her sporting a bright orange Broncos jacket recently resurfaced.
- She captioned the photo with, "HELL YEAH BRONCOS!!!! 💥"
The bottom line: The Broncos can shut up the pundits and doubters with an era-defining win in Denver while avenging last season's loss to the Bills.
- Win, and they're a step closer to the Big Game. Hell yeah, indeed.