• The Buffalo Bills secured a decisive 31-7 win over the Denver Broncos in the NFL wild-card round.
• Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes, while James Cook rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown.
• The Bills will face the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round next weekend, featuring two MVP candidates.
• Buffalo dominated the second half, outgaining the Broncos 282-63 after halftime.

The Buffalo Bills continued their strong playoff performance with a commanding 31-7 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, propelling them into the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. Quarterback Josh Allen led the charge, completing 20 of 26 passes for 272 yards, marking another impressive playoff showing for the five-time defending AFC East champions. Running back James Cook also shone, rushing for 120 yards and scoring a touchdown, significantly contributing to Buffalo's victory. The Bills employed a balanced offensive attack, scoring on six of their first seven drives while showcasing their time of possession advantage of nearly 23 minutes.

Despite the Broncos initial glimmer of hope with rookie quarterback Bo Nix connecting with Troy Franklin for a 43-yard touchdown early in the game, Buffalo responded with a string of effective drives, sealing their dominance in the second half. Allen's standout moment came late in the third quarter when he skillfully directed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Ty Johnson, extending the lead to 21-7. He remarked on Johnson's contributions, stating, "I've been saying it all year long that Ty Johnson's the best third down back in football."

As the Bills advance to face the Baltimore Ravens next week in a highly anticipated matchup featuring two leading MVP candidates, Allen noted the importance of studying their recent encounter. "They got after us earlier this year, so we got a lot of film to watch," he said, recalling the Bills' earlier loss to Baltimore.

Cook's performance was notable as he became the first Bills player to rush for 100 yards in a playoff game since Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas back in 1995. Overall, the Bills outperformed the Broncos overwhelmingly, with a total offensive yardage of 471 compared to Denver's 224. This victory not only marked Buffalo's fifth straight wild-card round triumph but also strengthened their confidence as they seek to advance deeper into the playoffs.

Both teams will reflect on their performances, with the Broncos looking to regroup after a challenging outing in their first playoff appearance since winning the Super Bowl in 2015. The Bills, meanwhile, are keen on maintaining their momentum as they gear up for a crucial game against the Ravens.

For more insights, you can refer to the original reports from The Guardian, USA Today, AP News, and Reuters.