Denver’s last play-off game came in Super Bowl 50 in February 2016 in what was NFL legend Peyton Manning’s last match – and the following eight-season drought was the second-longest in the league.

Rookie quarterback Nix could well be the answer and he stunned an expectant Bills crowd in Buffalo by launching a 43-yard touchdown pass to Troy Franklin on just the fifth play of the game.

Will Lutz hitting the post with a field goal try on the stroke of half-time was as close as they came to adding more points though, and the pressure told in the second half as Buffalo’s extra quality saw them run away with it.

Allen produced a dazzling touchdown throw to Ty Johnson on a fourth down in the third quarter that proved the tipping point for Denver’s worn-out defence, and a 55-yard touchdown catch and run from Curtis Samuel added the finishing touches.

Buffalo’s 210-yard rushing performance included some crucial runs from Allen, who is the undoubted star of a team desperate to win their first Super Bowl – and just get back to the big game for the first time since losing their fourth in a row in 1994.

MVP chants rang out around Highmark Stadium for Allen and those fans will witness the two favourites for this year’s award go at it next week as Jackson’s Ravens visit Buffalo.

The Ravens hammered the Bills 35-10 in Baltimore earlier this season when Buffalo had no answer for Jackson or Derrick Henry – the rematch will determine who moves one game away from the Super Bowl.