The Buffalo Bills managed to win the Wild-Card road game, but they’re entering the Divisional round with their backs against the wall. If playing the AFC’s top-seeded Denver Broncos with the league’s sixth-best defense and a top pass rush wasn’t a test enough, Josh Allen highlighted another edge that Denver carries.

“Physically, it’s going to challenge you,” admitted Allen about Denver’s home stadium’s altitude. “The best thing that we can do, though, is not really talk about it, not really think about it, and not make it a problem. Just going out there and doing our job and get on the sideline, getting some oxygen if you need it.

“I know from firsthand experience it is an advantage. But to have that mindset of understanding that, ‘It’s going to be tough. We got to fight through it.’”

The reigning NFL MVP was referring to Denver’s infamous Empower Field at Mile High (known as The New Mile High). With an elevation of 5,280 feet, the thin air makes breathing a manual chore for visiting athletes. As the body struggles to get enough oxygen to the muscles, players often find themselves gasping for air. And that’s exactly how the Broncos gain an edge over any visiting team.

Denver is acclimated to the altitude. But their visiting opponents in the Divisional round are accustomed to playing at sea level in Buffalo. Their home-field advantage is backed by more than just science; the numbers tell a story of dominance.

Since Empower Field opened in 2001, the Broncos have maintained an astonishing regular-season home record of 128-75. In the postseason, they hold another winning record of 6-3 at the stadium. This season alone, Denver holds an 8-1 record at home. Allen is well aware of how it gives the home team the upper hand based on his time in Wyoming with an elevation of 7,220 feet.

Perhaps that can be a secret weapon for Buffalo, as it can fade the physiological effect of the thin air. But that’s not the only concern they have.

The Bills enter Denver with an injury bug

The Bills snapped a three-decade-long drought without a road playoff win against the Jaguars. However, the win came with its own pains. The biggest one has head coach Sean McDermott in deep concern. After taking multiple hits in Jacksonville, McDermott claimed that Allen is “certainly sore.”

Calling that Wild Card game physical would be undermining what it did to the Bills’ QB. Allen was forced into the medical tent twice. First was a concussion evaluation after a hard hit left him visibly shaken. Another came on one of his touchdown runs when he appeared to twist his knee. Additionally, he also hit his finger on his teammate’s helmet while throwing a pass. However, as always, he downplayed it in the presser later.

Allen was present on the Bills’ injury report as limited participation in Tuesday’s walk-through due to his foot, knee, and right finger. He was a full participant on Wednesday. The QB is also nursing a bruised bone in his leg, which is reportedly improving by the day.

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Still, that would be Denver’s biggest test against Allen, stopping him from becoming Buffalo’s Superman.

Outside of Allen, another concern for the Bills’ sixth-best offense is the absence of key players. The receiving corps is already crooked. Gabe Davis is out for the season with a torn ACL, and both Joshua Palmer and Curtis Samuel have been moved to injured reserve recently.

The most recent blow came Tuesday with the confirmation that Tyrell Shavers also suffered a torn ACL. He was in the middle of a breakout season, recording a career-high 245 yards and proving himself as a reliable target for Allen. Without him, the Bills are down to a skeleton crew of pass-catchers.

On the other hand, Denver appears to be getting healthier. Head coach Sean Payton indicated that almost everyone should be available for the Saturday showdown, including Dre Greenlaw. If they reach the Super Bowl, Brandon Jones and J.K. Dobbins are also expected to return.

With all these factors to consider, Buffalo doesn’t stand a chance of back-to-back playoff road wins without Allen commanding the reins. Luckily, he has a positive update.

Josh Allen’s health status

Even though head coach McDermott is concerned, Allen’s status for the upcoming game isn’t a big question mark.

“I feel good,” Allen updated. “Honestly, I feel better than I have the last few weeks. I know it’s a Tuesday for us, but on a Wednesday type mindset. So I feel good.”

Despite the injury scare, he finished with 273 passing yards and three total touchdowns, proving he can still produce while battered.

The Bills have now reached the divisional round for six consecutive years, but to move past a dominant Denver team in the thin mountain air, Allen will need to elevate his plan and bring back his old Wyoming ways that got him selected as the seventh overall pick in 2018.