The Buffalo Bills can clinch a playoff berth in Week 15 before Sunday’s NFL schedule begins. Josh Allen and Co. visit the Denver Broncos on Saturday afternoon with the AFC East championship in their sights.

A Buffalo victory would guarantee the Bills a wild-card spot at worst. If Buffalo wins Saturday and the Miami Dolphins lose Sunday, the Bills would claim their first division title in 25 years.

Denver is three games out of the playoff picture with virtually no chance of reaching the playoffs. A loss would officially eliminate the Broncos from contention.

A win for the Broncos would be a significant upset. Denver is a 6.5-point underdog at home, according to betting odds compiled by Oddshark. The over/under is 50.

Despite a losing record, the Broncos have been competitive over the last month. Denver defeated Miami in Week 11 and only lost to the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs by six points in Week 13. The Broncos were routed by the New Orleans Saints in Week 12 because they didn’t have a healthy quarterback on the active roster.

Drew Lock had the best game of his short career in Week 14. Denver’s young quarterback completed 21 of 27 passes for 280 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 149.5 passer rating in a 32-27 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

It’s almost certain that Lock, who entered last week with nine touchdown passes and 13 interceptions, won’t come close to having a repeat performance Saturday. The Broncos are at a significant disadvantage at the game’s most important position with Allen taking snaps for the Bills.

Allen didn’t put up the same kind of stat line as Lock in Week 14, but he was arguably as impressive. He led Buffalo to a statement win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and maybe the league’s best defense.

Allen ranks sixth in passing yards (3,641), passing touchdowns (28) and completion percentage (68.6%). His 103.3 passer rating is good for seventh among all quarterbacks.

Denver’s defense might be above average, but it’s not much better than that. The Broncos rank 11th in opponents’ yards per play and 16th in total yards allowed.

Even after a big game in Carolina, Denver’s offense still ranks in the bottom 10.

Buffalo has thrived against subpar competition. The Bills are 6-0 when facing teams that are out of the latest playoff picture. Buffalo is 4-2 against the spread in those contests.

The Bills’ defense has seen a strong improvement in recent weeks. Buffalo has five interceptions during its three-game winning streak. The unit has forced the likes of Russell Wilson, Justin Herbert and Ben Roethlisberger to make some ill-advised throws as the Bills march toward a division title.

Lock should have similar issues when Buffalo locks up a spot in the playoffs at Denver’s expense.

Prediction: Buffalo over Denver, 27-17

Josh Allen Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates his touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at Bills Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images
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