Well, bust my plastic table, we’re starting off with a good one! But they’ve all been pretty good and I think this weekend can approach the wildcard round in quality. Every fixture is compelling in one way or another for this neutral observer.

To The Game!

Bills/Broncos:

-Some are worried that Josh doesn’t have a viable #1 receiver to play with but he’s always gotten by with sub talent so why is this game any different? (I suppose it makes a difference over the course of a season but a standalone game? nah) And besides, how much did he accomplish with the malcontent Diggs on his team?

-Nevertheless Mecole Hardman and Curtis Samuels are eligible to play today though their contributions may be minimal. The far more important addition is Ed Oliver, the defensive tackle that may help the run defense, such as it is.

-If Allen drags this flawed team to the AFC Championship and then loses I won’t be the least bit surprised.

-Rb Cook seems to be the key-of Denver’s three losses two of the opponents managed to run over 100+ yards, so there’s that.

-Can the Broncos themselves run? Their EPA per designed run sits at an abysmal -0.04 as opposed to their +0.12 per dropback. This isn’t your usual, ‘grind it out on the ground and let the D take care of business’ team. My guess is that the short passing game to Harvey and McLaughlin will function as the run game.

-As noted, that Bronc’s D is not to be messed with but hoo boy, they’ve given up 350(!) penalty yards just on pass interference penalties alone.

-Payton tracked all of the Bills losses over the last two years and determined that the key to defeating them is to win the turnover battle. Look for his defenders to be ‘punch drunk’ but in a very aggressive way.

Rev your engines.