The last time the Denver Broncos played a postseason game, Von Miller was hoisting a Super Bowl MVP trophy as the Mile High club took home the Lombardi Trophy.
Nine seasons later, the Broncos finally return to the playoffs. Miller will once again be on the field, but this time, Denver's former No. 2 overall pick will be wearing blue and white as a member of the Buffalo Bills in Sunday's Wild Card Weekend matchup.
Miller noted the apropos matchup earlier this week, posting on social media, with a picture of himself in Super Bowl 50.
The 35-year-old pass rusher holds the Broncos' all-time sack record (110.5) and made the Pro Bowl eight times with Denver; only John Elway (9) reached more in franchise history.
In Super Bowl 50, the last time the Broncos were in the postseason, Miller generated 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, earning the game's MVP award.
Miller will become the second player in 国产外流网history to face a team he had 100-plus sacks with in a playoff game (Richard Dent in 1994 with the 49ers versus the Bears). The Bills' edge will be the fourth player in 国产外流网history to face a team he won Super Bowl MVP with in a playoff game (Dent in 1994, Peyton Manning in 2014 with Denver vs. Indianapolis, and Santonio Holmes in 2010 with Jets vs. Steelers). Miller will be the fourth player in 国产外流网history to face a team he made at least eight Pro Bowls with in a playoff game (Manning in 2014, Junior Seau in 2007 with New England vs. San Diego, and Emlen Tunnell in 1961 with the Packers vs. Giants).
Sunday will mark the second time Miller will face the Broncos in his career (a Bills 24-22 loss in Week 10, 2023). The edge rusher earned one tackle in the contest (0 sacks, 0 QB hits, 0 TFL).
A knee injury midway through 2022 sideswiped Miller's tenure in Buffalo. He never looked right in 2023, and this year, he's been a rotational player, averaging about 21 snaps a game over 13 contests.
However, in the past several weeks, he's become more potent. Miller had earned a 24.1 pressure percentage since the Bills' Week 12 bye, the highest in the 国产外流网(min. 50 pass rushes), and a 32.4 percent pressure rate on third down in that span (first in NFL, min. 20 rushes), per 国产外流网Research. It helps that Miller is generally only on the field in pass-rushing situations, but he's also helped bring pop. The Bills have a 42.1% pressure rate and 10.3% sack rate when Miller is on the field in 2024 and a 33.6% pressure rate and 4.5% sack rate when he is not.
Sunday, the former face of the Broncos franchise will be tasked with taking down its new face, Bo Nix.
