The Buffalo Bills have slipped down the ranks after a surprising Week 18 loss to the New England Patriots. In a game that saw most starters keeping the benches warm, Buffalo fell 23-16.

Despite this hiccup, the Bills enter the playoffs with a No. 2 seed and host the Denver Broncos this Sunday. While their power ranking took a hit, slipping to around fourth, their potential remains high, especially considering their position after triumphing over the Chiefs back in November.

Concerns center on Buffalo’s defense, which has shown vulnerabilities that teams could exploit. However, with Josh Allen’s MVP-caliber season, the Bills still pack a punch capable of a playoff run.

The odds tell a story of shifting confidence. According to Caesars Sportsbook, the Bills’ odds of clinching the Super Bowl stood at +600.

Earlier in the year, those odds were wider at +1650. Allen’s impact cannot be overstated, as he’s almost single-handedly carried the offense with his dual-threat capability.

The defensive side of the ball, however, has been a point of contention, with Josh Allen’s brilliance sometimes masking their defensive lapses.

Meanwhile, the Broncos are riding a wave of late-season success under the guidance of Sean Payton and the emerging talent of Bo Nix. Finishing as the 12th-ranked team, the Broncos face the daunting task of taking on the Bills in Buffalo—no small feat for a side whose comfort zone lies at home.

This season has already been a win for Denver, showing significant growth, and Payton has reaffirmed his reputation as one of the NFL’s elite coaches. With a Super Bowl long shot of +5000, this year’s unexpected success lays the groundwork for an even brighter future if they bolster key positions like wide receiver and running back during the offseason.

Power rankings echo these sentiments, placing the Bills anywhere from second to fifth, depending on the metric. The team shines at home but struggles on the road, as seen in their 8-0 home record contrasting with just 5-4 away.

The Broncos, enduring a challenging schedule, settled as the final AFC seed at 10-7. Their potential story of the playoffs would truly be one of the underdog, given they face not only the Bills but possibly the Chiefs next, should they advance.

As the playoffs loom, all eyes will be on these narratives: Buffalo’s quest to finally break through their playoff ceiling, carried by the unstoppable force of Josh Allen, and the Broncos’ fight to upset the odds and make a deep playoff run. One thing’s for sure: both teams are poised to make this postseason one to remember.