The Buffalo Bills’ “real” season now begins. After having a solid regular season that saw Sean McDermott’s team finish with a 13-4 record with Josh Allen firmly in the MVP race, there is a different vibe around Buffalo this year.

Of course, there is still the small matter of handling the Kansas City Chiefs, which the Bills did in the regular season in Week 11, but they have never beaten Patrick Mahomes in the postseason.

But before any potential matchup with the defending champs can take place, the Bills must take care of business against the Denver Broncos.

For NFL.com’s Eric Edholm, who has the Bills at No. 3 in his playoff power rankings, the Super Bowl is very much within reach in 2024.

“Josh Allen should be raring to go in Sunday’s wild-card game against Denver,” Edholm writes. “The star quarterback’s protected by a strong offensive line and at the peak of his powers, earning serious MVP consideration this season. I’m worried that Buffalo’s issues in run defense could crop up in the playoffs; if those come into play Sunday against the Broncos, there might be cause for concern. But the only team to beat the Chiefs’ starters this season is in this spot for a reason: winning a championship is absolutely within reach.”

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen

Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

With this version of the Bills being different to previous ones, they might have their best chance at breaking through in the playoffs.

Allen isn’t turning the ball over as much; the offense is scoring, on average, 30.9 points a game (second-best), plus they have James Cook, Ray Davis, and Ty Johnson as dual-threat running backs.

While there might be questions about the defense, the offense has the firepower to overcome their deficiencies.

A Super Bowl feels very gettable in 2024, but the Bills can’t stumble in the first round against Denver.