The Denver Broncos wrapped up their final practice of the week as they prepared for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Wildcard Playoffs. Denver isn’t a team that’s satisfied with being in the dance, they want to win the whole thing and in order to make that possible, they’re looking to shock the world on Sunday.
Denver Broncos aim to shock the world on Sunday vs. Bills
The 2024 Denver Broncos have embraced their closeness as a team, and it’s paid dividends for them in a taxing season. They’ve found ways to stay healthy and have competed in every game this season, minus Baltimore. All the work they’ve put in boils down to the only guaranteed opportunity they have left against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in Sunday’s AFC Wildcard showdown. That closeness is something that could give them the edge here on Sunday.
“You said two things—I think this is a close-knit team,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said. “You go on the road, and I always say, ‘If you don’t recognize them, then they’re not for us. Forget that hat they’re wearing.’ I think it’s built through these moments, experiences and respect for each other. It’s built because there’s been a journey, [and] it hasn’t been easy. It’s built week by week. Then when you start playing for each other, then you have something. Not wanting to let your teammate down.”
From OTAs all the way to now, the Broncos have been a battle-tested team and the amount of fight and growth they’ve shown this season is something that you can tangibly see.
#Broncos wrapped their final practice of the week. Now they are getting ready to get on the plane to Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/ri9EuZ1w1w
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) January 10, 2025
The vibe surrounding the locker room and this team has been this calm focus all throughout the week — players have been loose in a controlled manner, and it all feeds into that ‘Young and Hungry’ mindset that has been talked about all season long.
There’s a level of belief inside of that locker room that they can go into Buffalo on Sunday and shock the world despite a lot of the outside noise saying they can’t. Broncos offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz highlighted the bond and camaraderie the team has and why he believes it’s something that can benefit the team as a whole.
“One hundred percent, especially going on the road,” Meinerz said. “That’s the biggest thing when you’re going on the road. Being able to have each other’s back when things are going right on offense, maybe wrong on defense and vice versa. It’s a total team effort and when were’ all working together, we’ve been capable of doing great things.”
They’ve shown that capability and Sunday’s the next opportunity to further it.
Broncos have five players named to AP All-Pro honors
The last time a member of the Broncos was a First-Team AP All-Pro it was Patrick Surtain II in 2022. This year, the Broncos had three players listed as First-Team AP All-Pros and five total players with All-Pro honors.
Cornerback Patrick Surtain II, right guard Quinn Meinerz, and return specialist Marvin Mims each took home the honors of being named to the Associated Press First-Team All-Pro list.
Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto and defensive end Zach Allen both took home the honors of being named to the AP’s Second-Team All-Pro list. For a roster that so many national pundits deemed as the worst in the NFL, head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton have done a pretty good job.
Surtain, Mims, Bonitto, Allen, and Meinerz are all deserving of the honors and it’s a tangible perspective of the foundation the team is building, especially around rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
Denver’s five players being selected is the most they’ve had since 1996. The future is growing brighter and brighter for the Broncos.
Final injury report for Sunday’s game
Following Friday’s practice, the Broncos released their final injury report and game status update for Sunday’s playoff game against the Bills.
Tight end Nate Adkins (abdomen), running back Tyler Badie (back), and guard Ben Powers (NIR-rest) were all full participants in Friday’s practice. Offensive tackle Frank Crum (illness) was not spotted and did not participate for the second straight week.
Cornerback Damarri Mathis (back) was limited on Wednesday and did not participate on Thursday but upgraded to full participation on Friday.
Badie is officially listed as questionable, and Crum has been ruled out for the third consecutive week.