The Broncos are just one win away from the Super Bowl.

A raucous home crowd inside Empower Field at Mile High on Saturday cheered on a 33-30 victory over the Bills in a divisional round NFL playoff matchup.

Kicker Wil Lutz hit a 23-yard field goal in overtime to seal the dramatic win, and players and coaches rushed the field in celebration.

“It’s kind of been the story of the season,” coach Sean Payton said.

The Broncos now advance to host the AFC championship game — against the winner of Patriots-Texans — at 1 p.m. on Jan 25. The matchup will be televised on CBS/Paramount+.

The Broncos must persevere through the injury loss of quarterback Bo Nix, with backup Jarrett Stidham starting next week. Nix broke his right ankle.

“Stiddy is ready to go,” Payton said.

He had predicted this magical run might happen.

The Broncos coach made headlines back in August, when he told Yahoo Sports: “This is a team capable of winning the Super Bowl,” a bold assertion given the 2024 Broncos finished the season 10-7 with a wild-card playoff loss in Buffalo.

Payton backed up his strong words with stronger play on Saturday, when Denver and Buffalo exchanged blows in an instant playoff classic.

Denver claimed the AFC’s top playoff seed with a 14-3 record in the regular season. The Broncos earned a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage.

Denver led at halftime, 20-10, with offensive lineman Frank Crum and wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey each catching a touchdown pass. Lutz made two field goals — including a 50-yarder as time expired in the second quarter after a sack fumble by outside linebacker Nik Bonitto that was recovered by safety Devon Key. The Broncos forced five turnovers in the game.

“It helped us win today,” Bonitto said. “Takeaways are such a big part of a football game. The way we did it today, and just how we were able to capitalize off them offensively … it was a big reason why we won today.”

Buffalo roared back in the second half to take a 27-23 lead, with Josh Allen connecting on two touchdown passes. The Broncos then pulled ahead with a Nix touchdown throw to wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. The Bills tied the game at the end of regulation, 30-30, with a 50-yard field goal by kicker Matt Prater.

The Bills appeared on track to win after forcing a Denver punt on their first overtime drive. But cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian intercepted Allen to flip the momentum. The Broncos took advantage with a six-play, 75-yard drive that led to the game-winning field goal from Luz.

Emotions ran high in the postgame locker room at Empower Field.

“It was electric,” left tackle Garett Bolles said. “Our fans are great. Broncos Country showed up big-time tonight. It was loud. Probably the loudest I’ve ever seen it since I’ve been here. I’m just beyond grateful, man. God is good. This team is special, man. I don’t even know what to say.”

“I’m emotional. I’m just super proud of this team and the way that we battled tonight,” he added.

The Broncos had survived to play another game despite a season filled with adversity. Losing Nix for the remainder of this playoff run presents yet another challenge. Stidham has not played a single snap this year outside of the preseason.

Payton expressed confidence that the Broncos can overcome any obstacle in their path, as the team’s Super Bowl push continues.