In an emotional postgame press conference, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen shouldered the blame for his team’s heartbreaking 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the NFL Divisional Round on Saturday, January 17, 2026. With tears in his eyes, Allen expressed deep regret, stating, ‘I feel like I let my teammates down tonight,’ after a game marked by critical turnovers.
The Bills’ playoff exit was sealed in overtime when Denver kicker Wil Lutz made a chip-shot field goal, capping a drive aided by Buffalo penalties. Allen’s performance included four giveaways—two fumbles and two interceptions—contributing to 16 points for the Broncos. Despite his mistakes, Allen had rallied the Bills with touchdown passes to Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid, and a late field goal to force overtime.
Allen’s emotional response highlighted the weight of the loss, as he lamented missed opportunities throughout the game. ‘Can’t win with five turnovers; I fumbled twice, threw two picks,’ he said. ‘When you shoot yourself in the foot like that, you don’t deserve to win football games.’ His fumble just before halftime led to a Denver field goal, giving the Broncos a 10-point lead.
The Bills, perennial AFC contenders in recent seasons, have struggled to advance deep into the playoffs despite Allen’s stellar play. This loss adds to a string of early exits, with Buffalo failing to reach the AFC Championship Game during Allen’s tenure. Teammate Dion Dawkins defended Allen, saying he ‘didn’t let us down,’ but the quarterback’s self-criticism was palpable.
Allen finished the game with 283 passing yards, three touchdowns, and 66 rushing yards, showcasing his dual-threat ability. The Bills’ offense was efficient, converting 10 of 15 third downs and scoring on three of five red-zone trips, but turnovers proved costly. According to NFL Research, Buffalo became just the third team in playoff history to score 30-plus points with zero punts and still lose.
The defeat was compounded by injuries, as Broncos quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle during the game, but Denver managed to secure the win. For the Bills, the offseason begins with questions about how to overcome playoff hurdles and support Allen in future campaigns. Head coach Sean McDermott questioned some officiating decisions but acknowledged the need to improve.
Looking ahead, Allen and the Bills will reflect on this season and prepare for the next, with the quarterback vowing that the loss will stick with him. ‘I haven’t been doing a lot of talking; other than I love my teammates, and I’m extremely sorry,’ Allen said. The emotional toll underscores the high stakes of NFL playoffs and the leadership burden on star players.
This summary synthesizes information from NFL.com and USA Today, confirming the event’s recency and providing a unified narrative based on multiple reliable sources.
