Nope. Denver fell to Buffalo, 31-7, on January 12 in a contest that resoundingly confirmed suspicions of experts outside Colorado. But rather than reacting with rage, most Broncos boosters on social media focused on what they see as a sunny future as opposed to bitching about the ugly way the 2024-2025 campaign ended.
The first two minutes and 24 seconds of the game offered head coach Sean Payton and his cadre of playoffs plebes reasons for optimism. Sure, the first two running plays were typical, in that they resulted in a net gain of two yards — plus five for Javonte Williams, minus three for Jaleel McLaughlin. But rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who's played well enough of late that Payton no longer needs to act as his press secretary, converted the subsequent third-and-long by way of a nineteen-yard strike to primary pass-catcher Courtland Sutton. Then, after another six-yard pick-up by Williams, Nix heaved the ball about as far as he could, and damn it if the pigskin didn't land in the arms of Troy Franklin en route to the end zone for 43 yards.
The resulting lead stood up through the next possession, with Denver's defenders forcing the Bills into a Tyler Bass field goal. But the seeds of the Broncos' eventual destruction began sprouting early on.
For Denver to have a chance at defeating Buffalo, the D could not allow Bills field general Josh Allen to run wild...but he did. Whenever ground-game specialist James Cook wasn't gashing the Broncos for sizable gains (he wound up with 120 yards on 23 carries), Allen was allowed to survey the field in front of him unmolested for far too long. Thanks to the protection Allen was afforded, he was able to complete twenty of 26 throws for 272 yards — and although he was sacked twice over the course of the afternoon, he also scrambled for another 46 yards, and could have gone for much more had the situation required it. Which it didn't.
Even after the Bills took a 10-7 lead on the strength of a Cook touchdown that ate up well over seven minutes (Buffalo's time-of-possession advantage was enormous), the Broncos still had hope. After a wacky fourth-down completion by punter Riley Dixon, Nix maneuvered his squad into scoring territory with five ticks left before intermission. But then kicker Wil Lutz, who repeatedly failed to split the uprights during a Denver win in Buffalo last season, doinked a field-goal attempt off the right post that would have lifted the Broncos into a 10-10 tie at the half.
That's more or less where the good news ended for Denver.
Buffalo's opening third-quarter drive again resulted in a Bass field goal. But the Broncos offense gained four yards on its next two efforts combined, while Allen netted two touchdowns — the first on a crazy catch by Ty Johnson, the second via a scorcher to Curtis Samuel that left the Broncos' secondary looking like orange highway cones. A two-point conversion raised the score to a 28-7 advantage that was clearly insurmountable. The Bills wound up adding another three points out of sheer boredom.
A nail-biter, it wasn't. But given that Sports Illustrated had predicted Denver would win just five games out of a possible seventeen in 2024-2025, doubling that tally to finish 10-7 and earn a playoffs berth left even those who scoff at moral victories feeling upbeat. There's no telling if Nix will continue to improve in his second season at the helm or if Denver will be able to improve its moribund running attack enough to successfully compete against the likes of the Bills and the Chiefs. But for the first time in a while, the Broncos faithful actually believe it could be in the cards.
See what we mean by counting down the twenty (mostly) positive takes shared on X after the final whistle blew.
Number 20:
Hopefully this wasn’t just lighting in a bottle and the guys can replicate it next year. Running back, receiver, tight end, inside linebacker, corner, and safety all need to be fixed. Good season
— Anthony Volpe Truther #FireBrianCashman (@VonMillerElite) January 12, 2025
Number 19:
Incredibly overrated season by the Broncos. Would not expect them back in the playoffs next year.
— Penix SZN (@SaltyFalconFan) January 12, 2025
Number 18:
As a Broncos fan I am mad, but also optimistic for our future. Our win total was set at 5 and next year’s schedule appears to be easier. The team can party in Cancun now just be ready next year
— XXrobertXX (@robdubxx) January 12, 2025
Number 17:
The Broncos got thumped bad but them boys are like 3 years ahead of schedule considering the Russell Wilson debt. If it all fall apart next year they still get to collect cap space and draft picks
— lloyd (@no_lloydering) January 12, 2025
Number 16:
@SeanPayton
— Broncos (@BroncoOpinions) January 12, 2025
Go get some fucking talent with whatever money we have for next year.
Number 15:
Broncos need to get an entirely new RB room next year
— The Analyst (@analyst4sports_) January 12, 2025
Number 14:
Sad to say the Broncos will have to exorcise some demons with the orange pants next year. They might officially be cursed
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) January 12, 2025
Number 13:
couldn’t even beat the bengals, not winning shi next year pic.twitter.com/UQNB26ptMI
— Ethan (@chxngethan) January 12, 2025
Number 12:
Broncos have a bright future. Great rookie QB. Great defense. Seasoned Head Coach.
— Marco (@marcos_midtakes) January 12, 2025
Add in some offensive weapons in the offseason and this team could be a threat next season.
Number 11:
This sucks. But the Broncos have the coach and QB figured out. They'll have a lot more cap space next season. Fututre is bright.
— Jeff Langan (@jefflangan) January 12, 2025
Figure out S, LB and RB, and get the WRs on the juggs machines. Lot of young talent there
Number 10:
We try again next year @Broncos
— Raymond (@Chasee_Green) January 12, 2025
Number 9:
Bo nix had a great season for the broncos. We are going to be better than ever next year good job broncos on the wonderful sweet season.
— Noah Kilborn (@noah_kilborn20) January 12, 2025
Number 8:
The Denver Broncos need a running back. Young team bright future. Does Troy Franklin make the team next year? Does PJ Locke? What a year from a rookie Bo Nix. Free agency frenzy!? Will Vance Joseph stay in Denver? Enjoy your family’s man, we have so much to look forward to!
— Blucifer Broncos Country (@Osbaldo27220974) January 12, 2025
Number 7:
Great season BRONCOS!
— Tatiana (@Tatianaclinares) January 12, 2025
Get ‘em next year pic.twitter.com/mxf0jcMNRP
Number 6:
I'm just hyped we made it back to the playoffs! No one had any hope for this young Denver team and Bo Nix proved to be the real deal!
— Chillyboy Productions (@ChillyBoyYT) January 12, 2025
We'll be back next year, improved and ready! It's finally fun again to be a Denver Broncos fan! #BroncosCountry #DenverBroncos #GoBroncos pic.twitter.com/EZpxLmAqT3
Number 5:
Love you see you next year @Broncos
— Colby Lee (@illWillLee) January 12, 2025
Number 4:
This message was sponsored by the Sean Payton Ego Foundation.
— TG|Bert (@tgbert) January 12, 2025
Half joking aside, first time in a GOOD while Broncos Country has some level of excitement and optimism for the next year. Should be at least happy about that.
Number 3:
Great season Broncos fans. Nothing to be ashamed of. Still could have never believed we’d be here even 3 months ago.
— Cody Ulm (@CodyUlm) January 12, 2025
Hats off to a great Bills teams. Let’s be even better next year.
Number 2:
Forever a broncos fan and hey we have a QB and some talent make some moves next year don’t be shy and we can be the scariest team in the NFL
— SCOTT (@FURY316) January 12, 2025
Number 1:
Well, broncos, it was a good season. Bo, you had a solid year, dude. Until next year #Broncos pic.twitter.com/1ihVphUGk6
— Dave (@irondhosea) January 12, 2025