Mon Jan 19 03:10:00 UTC 2026: ### Broncos and Seahawks Advance in Playoffs Amidst Injuries and Upsets
The Story:
The NFL Divisional Round on Saturday, January 17, 2026, saw the Denver Broncos secure a bittersweet overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills, while the Seattle Seahawks dominated the San Francisco 49ers. The Broncos’ win was marred by a season-ending ankle injury to quarterback Bo Nix. Meanwhile, the Seahawks capitalized on an injury-riddled 49ers team, showcasing strong performances from quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Kenneth Walker III.
Key Points:
* Bo Nix (Broncos QB) suffered a season-ending broken ankle during the overtime drive against the Bills.
* The Broncos defeated the Bills 33-30 in overtime, with kicker Wil Lutz hitting the game-winning field goal.
* Sam Darnold (Seahawks QB) led the Seahawks to a 41-6 victory over the 49ers, playing a game-manager role.
* Rashid Shaheed (Seahawks WR) contributed a 95-yard kick return touchdown.
* Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks RB) rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns.
* Bills quarterback Josh Allen had four turnovers (two fumbles lost, two interceptions).
* The Broncos defense forced five turnovers against the Bills.
Key Takeaways:
* Injuries are significantly impacting playoff contenders, particularly the Broncos with the loss of Bo Nix.
* The Seahawks are emerging as a strong NFC contender, leveraging their healthy roster and key player performances.
* Turnovers were a critical factor in the Broncos-Bills game, highlighting the importance of ball security in the playoffs.
* The Bills and their coach Sean McDermott are facing scrutiny after another disappointing playoff exit despite having a favorable path to the Super Bowl.
Impact Analysis:
* The Broncos’ Super Bowl LX aspirations are now significantly challenged with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham taking over. Sean Payton will need to make some adjustments to account for the change.
* The Seahawks’ dominant performance positions them as a team to watch in the NFC Championship game, regardless of whether they face the Bears or Rams. Their ability to exploit opponent weaknesses due to injury could give them an advantage.
First Piper 