The Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos treated fans with a great game in the Divisional Round. Denver came into this game with one of the best defenses in the NFL, and that was on full display with their four takeaways on the Bills’ offense. But the Bills still managed to stay in the game, thanks to some great offensive play-calling by offensive coordinator Joe Brady. The NFL world has Brady’s back and called for him to get looks as a potential head coaching candidate.
NFL World Praises Joe Brady for Divisional Round Performance
Brady faced a tall task to pick apart the Denver defense. The Broncos are the top-ranked defense in PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric with an impact score of 90.1. Despite the self-inflicted wounds, Brady had this offense confusing the elite Denver defense and getting their players into open space.
Up until about a minute to go, the Bills had the lead, and on their final drive of regulation, Brady dialed up the hook and ladder to get them in field goal range. The NFL world sang Brady’s praises for his play-calling.
“I just don’t hear enough about Joe Brady in this HC cycle in the NFL. The man is one of the best in the business and he is putting on a clinic right now in Denver,” said ESPN analyst Marcus Spears.
I just don’t hear enough about Joe Brady in this HC cycle in the NFL. The man is one of the best in the business and he is putting on a clinic right now in Denver
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) January 18, 2026
Brady will likely be getting some calls after this one. If he wasn’t getting looks before the game, teams will be giving him looks after. His play-calling caught the eye of Tony Romo on the broadcast, and Romo praised him to the entire world.
“What a play call and design by Joe Brady,” said Romo.
“What a play call and design by Joe Brady.” – @tonyromo pic.twitter.com/YLWLXYNO0n
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 17, 2026
“Joe Brady’s best play call series of the season. Needed all of it, too,” said one fan.
Joe Brady best play call series of the season. Needed all of it, too.#BillsMafia | #GoBills pic.twitter.com/7z9NO9hVdX
— uǝsnɐןɔɾppoʇ (@ToddJClausen) January 18, 2026
Legendary head coach Tony Dungy weighed in on Brady’s performance on social media.
“Bills OC Joe Brady has called an outstanding game today. He has kept an excellent Denver defense off balance all day. Without the turnovers they would be way ahead. Let’s see if they can finish it off with a red zone TD?” said Dungy.
Bills OC Joe Brady has called an outstanding game today. He has kept an excellent Denver defense off balance all day. Without the turnovers they would be way ahead. Let’s see if they can finish it off with a red zone TD?
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) January 18, 2026
Unfortunately, they didn’t seal the win with a red-zone touchdown as the game headed to overtime. Brady has to get into his bag of tricks for one more drive to try to will Buffalo to a win.
“Joe Brady is outcoaching the hell out of Vance Joseph,” said a Broncos reporter.
Joe Brady is outcoaching the hell out of Vance Joseph.
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) January 18, 2026
Brady caught everyone’s eye. He called a great game, and he will be hoping it won’t be for no reason.
