Football scores yesterday: Broncos edge Bills 33-30 in OT thriller, Seahawks dominate 49ers 41-6

Yesterday’s football scores delivered heart-stopping drama on the field. The Denver Broncos edged the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime, advancing to the AFC Championship, while the Seattle Seahawks dominated the 49ers 41-6 in a playoff blowout. Both divisional round games featured playoff heroics, shocking turnovers, and a devastating injury that will reshape championship hopes.

Broncos Survive Thriller on Wil Lutz’s Clutch Kick

Denver’s playoff heartbreak ended yesterday with a stunning 33-30 overtime victory over Buffalo at Empower Field. Wil Lutz connected on a 23-yard field goal in the extra period to send the Broncos to their first AFC Championship appearance since 2015. The top-seeded Broncos (15-3) dominated the first half, scoring 10 points in the final 22 seconds to reach halftime with a commanding 20-10 lead. Buffalo mounted a furious comeback, but Denver’s defense held firm when it mattered most.

The Bills (13-6) stayed competitive throughout, featuring Josh Allen’s dual-threat abilities that kept the game close. However, Allen’s turnovers proved costly in crunch time, with the Broncos defense producing the momentum swings needed for the big stage.

Josh Allen’s Four Turnovers End Historic Playoff Streak

Josh Allen faced the most difficult moment of his playoff career yesterday. The Bills QB committed 4 turnovers in the loss, ending his incredible 200-game playoff interception streak that represented elite consistency. Allen threw 2 interceptions and lost 2 fumbles, with the Broncos defense capitalizing on all the chaos. Denver converted nine points directly from Allen’s mistakes, including the game-winning field goal that crushed Buffalo’s title hopes.

After the game, an emotional Allen took responsibility. “Can’t win with five turnovers,” he said to reporters. The reigning MVP believed he let his teammates down when New England’s path to Kansas City looked wide open this season.

Playoff Scores and Impact

Game	Result	Key Impact
AFC Divisional	Broncos 33, Bills 30 (OT)	Denver advances to AFC title game
NFC Divisional	Seahawks 41, 49ers 6	Seattle hosts NFC Championship

The AFC Divisional thriller showcased clutch execution under pressure. Denver’s defensive prowess yielded five total takeaways against the Bills offense, while Lutz’s steady leg provided the margin of victory. Bo Nix’s resilience despite his injury proved crucial to the outcome.

“Can’t win with five turnovers. You shoot yourself in the foot like that and you don’t win.”

— Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills QB

Kenneth Walker Leads Seahawks Past Elite 49ers Defense

Seattle’s dominant 41-6 victory over San Francisco yesterday marked one of the most complete playoff performances this season. Running back Kenneth Walker III delivered a star-making display with 144 total yards from scrimmage and three rushing touchdowns, including an explosive truck-stick run. The Seahawks (14-3) established their superior talent gap early, with Walker scoring on runs of 7, 7, and 6 yards that showcased his combination of power and elusiveness. Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass in his first career playoff win, handling pressure from San Francisco’s defense with poise.

The 49ers (12-5), the second seed in the NFC, never got comfortable against Seattle’s aggressive approach. Kenneth Walker set the tone immediately, establishing the run game that overwhelmed San Francisco’s otherwise talented defensive front. The largest playoff margin in Seahawks franchise history tied their Super Bowl 48 triumph over Denver.

Bo Nix’s Fractured Ankle Clouds Broncos’ AFC Championship Run

Yesterday’s playoff victory came with a devastating cost for Denver. Quarterback Bo Nix fractured his right ankle just three plays before Wil Lutz kicked the game-winner, ending his season. Nix suffered the injury on a designed run from the Bills’ 36-yard line, pulled to the ground by Buffalo safety Cole Bishop. Despite the severe pain, the 25-year-old stayed in the game, throwing a crucial deep pass to Marvin Mims resulting in a pass interference penalty that set up the winning field goal.

Head coach Sean Payton confirmed Nix will undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday. “He’s a tough cookie,” Payton said, acknowledging the QB’s toughness. With Jarrett Stidham taking over for the AFC Championship, Denver’s path to the Super Bowl just became significantly more challenging despite advancing to the next stage.

What’s Next for Yesterday’s Football Scores Winners?

Both yesterday’s victorious teams advance to the conference championship games. The Broncos will host the AFC Championship without their starting QB, facing either Kansas City or an unexpected challenger. The Seahawks host the NFC Championship with incredible momentum after dismantling a top-seeded team. Kenneth Walker’s breakout performance suggests Seattle’s offense has hit peak form at exactly the right moment. Will Denver’s defense carry them without Nix? Can Sam Darnold maintain his magic in Seattle? These questions will define the championship weekend.

Sources

• ESPN – Official NFL playoff scores and game recaps from January 17, 2026
• CBS Sports – Live game tracking and quarterback performance analysis
• Yahoo Sports – Josh Allen turnovers breakdown and Broncos overtime thriller coverage