ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos' 10-7 season and playoff berth brought welcome relief after eight consecutive postseason misses. It featured an encouraging debut for rookie quarterback Bo Nix -- who completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions -- and an aggressive defense that led the NFL with 63 sacks.
But the way it ended, with a 31-7 wild-card round loss to the Buffalo Bills, further highlighted the gap between the Broncos and the AFC's elite. Broncos coach Sean Payton acknowledged that point following the defeat.