Josh Allen fires stark warning ahead of Bills-Broncos... but it’s not the motivation we expected
The Divisional Round is already in front of us, and every player is looking to their own team’s stars for inspiration.


Saturday’s Divisional Round game between the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos – yes, of course we’ll be bringing you it live! – has all the usual January playoff ingredients. The air is going to be cold, there’s plenty at stake and there’s little margin for error.
The Bills arrive after surviving a close Wild Card encounter. The Broncos, on the other hand, have been waiting, nicely rested, and a roster quietly getting healthier. It’s one of the reasons you want to be number one.
Mile High Matchup.@NFL | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/S0B0QSDCV7
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 14, 2026
Josh Allen talks up... the Broncos
Clearly this is the time for the big stars of the team, often the quarterback, to talk up his own team. It’s about belief in our playmakers, confidence in our system, and focus on us not them. There’s usually a little time to compliment the opponent, but only enough to sound respectful. Well, Josh Allen had some other thoughts.
In his recent chat, Allen sounded more like a guy standing in front of his teammates saying: please, for the love of football, do not make this harder than it already is. He went out of his way to describe Denver’s defense as “absolute studs,” praising their pass rush, their interior strength, and their ability to shut things down without doing anything flashy.
Then he got specific. Very specific.
Allen spent time raving about Pat Surtain II, calling him “an absolutely fantastic football player” and admitting that his Buffalo will have its “hands full” just getting to the right checks and calls.
The line that really mattered came next. “We can’t give them any help,” Allen said, clearly pointing to potential unforced errors.
Josh Allen is trying to get to a Super Bowl banged up physically, with very little depth around him and having the benefit of zero home playoff games.
— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) January 12, 2026
If he pulls this off it will be the greatest single season NFL accomplishment I’ve ever witnessed. https://t.co/033gGCknVa
Broncos fit and ready to ride
Even without help, the Broncos are shaping up nicely. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is back practicing after a hamstring issue, and defensive end John Franklin-Myers looks ready to return up front. Add those bodies to a rested defense and suddenly Allen’s tone makes perfect sense. It feels like he’s preparing fans for disappointment, or at least doing the classic underpromise before (he hopes) overdelivering.
The most important player in these playoffs is Bills QB Josh Allen.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 14, 2026
This and other Divisional round storylines with @tyschmit.
🎧 https://t.co/VY24Z1S8F3 pic.twitter.com/jJe3iE06n8
He even referenced the altitude, basically saying, yes, it matters, but don’t let it become a thing. Which is exactly what someone says when they know it absolutely can become a thing. Hardly chest-thumping from the QB, but maybe that message is still to come.
Follow live build up and play-by-play coverage from our very own Jennifer Bubel, right here on AS USA.
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