Friday Faceoff: Which AFC playoff team should concern Broncos Country the most?

Paul Klee, sports editor

Answer: Jaguars

Broncos Super Bowl marches have a type.

They usually come from the No. 1 seed.

Over eight Super Bowl appearances, the Broncos six times were the top seed. They were juggernauts expected to be there (1998) and surprises few folks outside of Colorado believed in (2015). But one’s usually been fun — aside from the occasional Joe Flacco or Mark Brunell heartbreak.

Sean Payton’s current band of overachievers has as good of a chance as any Broncos team to reach the big game. This AFC field is good enough Superman quarterback Josh Allen and Buffalo are the No. 7 seed, but it’s not frightening.

Except for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who put a 34-20 whooping on the Broncos two weeks ago. That one looked more lopsided than the final score. 

“They beat us good in all three phrases,” Payton said after.

What’s worrisome about a Jaguars rematch is how the visitors dominated both lines of scrimmage. The Jags took the Broncos’ strength and pounded it into a weakness. Coach Liam Coen emphasized afterward how a “small market team can come into Mile High” and take one from the home team.

It was clear the Jags had circled the Broncos game in red.

Beat the Chargers on Sunday, and the Broncos would get the Jags (and anyone else) at home. And not for nothing, the Broncos own a four-game win streak at Mile High as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Is another Super Bowl march in the offing? This Broncos bunch has as good a chance as any.

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Chris Schmaedeke, digital sports editor

Answer: Bills

It is well known that the quarterback in Buffalo is dangerous and can lead the Bills up and down the field.

But superstar Josh Allen shouldn’t be the worry for the Broncos and Broncos Country when the playoffs begin.

Bills running back James Cook is the problem. And if the Bills roll into Empower Field at Mile High, the Denver defense would have its hands full.

A strong running game still travels in today’s pass-happy NFL. Cook has been dominant all season for the Bills with over 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also averages over 5 yards per carry, good for third best in the NFL.

The Broncos already know the damage Cook can do when the teams faced off in the playoffs last season. Cook had 120 of the Bills’ 210 yards rushing in an easy 31-7 win. He also scored a touchdown. Denver had no answer for him.

This year, the game would be in Denver, a big advantage for the Broncos. Cook ripping off an 8-yard run after an 8-yard run could silence an extremely pumped home crowd and keep the Broncos defense on the field too long.