Comment on 49ers mailbag: Why pay Jimmie Ward all that money to be a backup?

ORCHARD PARK, N. Y. — The Broncos came an ankle away from getting the ball back in a critical fourth-down spot Sunday against the Bills. Instead of a turnover-on-downs and a chance to tie the game or take the lead, Denver found itself trailing by two scores. That came when Josh Allen bought time, floated to his right and then threw a ball to the back line of the end zone.

The Broncos’ season ended with a thud Sunday. Denver took the NFL by surprise and made the AFC playoff field as the No. 7 seed, but bowed out with a 31-7 loss to the No. 2-seeded Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Denver is already the second AFC West team to bow out of the playoffs.

OFFENSE — F The Broncos came out smoking in the opening minutes when Bo Nix threw a 43-yard touchdown to Troy Franklin on Denver’s first drive. From there, however, it was tough sledding for Sean Payton’s unit. The Broncos’ possessions after that looked like this: Punt, punt, missed field goal, punt, punt, turnover on downs, downs. They failed to get a first down on half of their eight offensive possessions.

Play of the game It took until the playoffs for the Bo Nix-Troy Franklin connection to finally work. On Denver’s first drive of the game, Franklin slipped past the Bills’ secondary and then caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from Nix. Good things come to those who wait, and Franklin showed that on Sunday.

Initial thoughts from the Broncos’ 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday at Highmark Stadium: Tough lessons. The Bills delivered Denver a clinic on how to win in the postseason. They didn’t flinch after Denver threw an early punch. They didn’t make the big mistake.

DALLAS — Aaron Gordon is available in Dallas to make his return from a calf strain that sidelined him for nine games, the Nuggets announced Sunday. Gordon will be on a minutes restriction against the Mavericks, a league source told The Denver Post. Denver’s starting power forward has missed 20 games this season with the same injury, which has caused two separate prolonged absences. Gordon, 29, is averaging 13.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game when he plays.