The Buffalo Bills have returned to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs for the fifth straight season.

Running back James Cook energized the Bills’ offense in the first half, while quarterback Josh Allen guided them to a comfortable 31-7 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Next week, the Bills will face the Baltimore Ravens in what promises to be an exciting game featuring the league’s top two MVP contenders, Allen and Lamar Jackson. In the other AFC game, the reigning champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, will go up against the Houston Texans.

Cook recorded an impressive 120 yards on 23 carries, becoming the centerpiece of a steady offensive strategy that included a 5-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, capping off a lengthy 13-play, 81-yard drive.

Overall, Buffalo racked up 210 rushing yards on 44 attempts, while their defense, after conceding a touchdown on the first drive, held strong.

During the second half, Allen took charge of the game. He connected with Ty Johnson for a spectacular 24-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone late in the third quarter, putting the Bills ahead by two possessions. Allen also set a franchise record for the most postseason passing touchdowns, surpassing Hall of Famer Jim Kelly with his 23rd.

Allen completed 20 of 26 passes for 272 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown pass to Curtis Samuel in the fourth quarter.

The Broncos, who broke the NFL’s second-longest postseason drought by clinching a playoff spot in Week 18, had a brief moment of hope at the start of the game. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix connected with former Oregon teammate Troy Franklin for a 43-yard touchdown pass on their first possession. However, Denver struggled to keep pace for the rest of the game, failing to score again and totaling just 224 yards.

The Bills are looking to advance to the AFC championship game for the first time since the 2020 season, after being eliminated in the divisional round in each of the last three years.

In their previous matchup during Week 4, the Ravens defeated the Bills decisively with a score of 35-10.