It was the rare playoff game that left both fan bases heartbroken.
Things didn't start that way for the Denver Broncos, however, as they pulled off a thrilling 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday to advance to the AFC championship game.
As he's done so many times this season, second-year quarterback Bo Nix came through when it mattered most.
Nix made an outstanding 26-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Mims with 55 seconds left to put the Broncos up three. After the Bills sent the game to overtime, Nix then led the drive to set up Will Lutz's 23-yard field goal for the walk-off win.
The final possession was Nix's eighth game-winning drive of the season, the most in the Super Bowl era by any player 25-years-old or younger.
But the jubilation of the win was short-lived, as Broncos head coach Sean Payton took to the podium after the game and announced that Nix broke his ankle late in the game, ending his season.
It's a devastating loss for the Broncos, and there's no question that it severely hurts their chances to win the Super Bowl.
Payton announced that with Nix out, 29-year-old quarterback Jarrett Stidham will start in the AFC title game. Stidham hasn't started a game since 2023 and has a career 1-3 record.
In some good news for Stidham, the Broncos' defence played up to its reputation on Saturday and forced the Bills into five turnovers.
But with Nix now out, they might need even more than that next weekend.
Bills can't overcome early mistakes
Another year, another playoff heartbreak for Buffalo and its fans.
And while the Bills certainly had some game-changing calls go against them in overtime (more on that later), they also didn't do themselves any favours through the first four quarters.
The Bills had three turnovers through their first five possessions, a big reason why they found themselves playing from behind in the second half.
All in all, Buffalo lost the turnover battle 4-1 through the first 60 minutes, and with that margin, it was shocking that the game even went to an extra frame.
James Cook had a crucial fumble on a great tackle by Broncos linebacker and former Calgary Stampeders star Alex Singleton, and Josh Allen had three turnovers himself.
The one that felt especially preventable was Allen's fumble right before the end of the half. With under 30 seconds left and no timeouts remaining, the Bills' decision to try and throw the ball allowed the Broncos to score 10 points in 22 seconds and take a 10-point lead into halftime.
Hindsight is always 20/20, but if the Bills just kneel out the clock, maybe Matt Prater kicks the game-winning field goal at the end of the fourth quarter instead.
For his part, Allen was understandably crushed after the game and shouldered the blame.
"Feel like I let my teammates down tonight," a visibly emotional Allen said post-game.
"... When you shoot yourself in the foot like that, you don't deserve to win football games."
But it sure felt like the Bills' lack of a supporting cast around Allen played a part in his turnovers.
The super-human quarterback tried to force a few plays and put the team on his back Saturday, which he's often been able to do. But it's an unsustainable approach, especially as the competition gets tougher.
What happens next for the Bills will be fascinating to watch. Eight years with Allen, and no Super Bowl appearances. Four of the past five seasons, they've bowed out in the divisional round.
Something feels like it has to change, and fair or not, it's possible that this loss will cost head coach Sean McDermott or GM Brandon Beane their job as early as next week.
Officiating takes centre stage in overtime
For the first four quarters in Denver, the referees let the players decide the game.
But overtime was a different story.
It started with the Bills driving for the game-winning field goal, when Brandin Cooks had a pass ripped out of his hands by Broncos corner Ja'Quan McMillian.
There's certainly an argument to be made that Cooks was down with possession before McMillian secured the ball, but right call or not, it was how quickly the call was confirmed that drew the ire of McDermott after the game.
"I'm standing up for Buffalo," a frustrated McDermott said of the interception after the game. "Because what went on, that is not how it should go down in my estimation. ... To not even say, 'hey, let's slow this thing down,' that's why I'm bothered."
The officiating didn't get much better for the Bills, as on the Broncos' ensuing drive, the Bills were flagged for two costly pass-interference penalties to set up Denver's game-winning kick.
Again, the Bills didn't do themselves any favours with five total turnovers. But the fact that 53 of Buffalo's 68 penalty yards in the game came on the final drive is what only adds to the frustration for the Bills and their fanbase.
Seahawks dominate in all three phases
For a team that had a week off, the Seattle Seahawks sure didn't show any signs of rust.
The Seahawks thumped the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 on Saturday to advance to the NFC championship, and it felt like the game was over from the very first play.
On the opening kickoff, Rashid Shaeheed scored a 97-yard touchdown to put an already shorthanded 49ers team behind the eight ball right from the start.
It didn't get better from there, as the Seahawks thoroughly outplayed the 49ers in all three phases and proved why they entered the weekend as the betting favourite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
As has been the case all year, the Seahawks' defence was relentless and forced three turnovers while giving up just six points.
Seattle's run-game was extremely efficient, and quarterback Sam Darnold didn't turn the ball over once.
In a sense, it was the perfect way for Darnold to secure the first playoff win of his career and quiet the narrative that he can't get it done in the big moments.
Dealing with an oblique injury he sustained in practice, Darnold wasn't asked to do a lot, but made a couple of big throws when he was called upon. Seattle's biggest issues this season have come when Darnold coughs up the ball, and he made sure that didn't happen.
With the Seahawks playing like this, whichever visiting team comes to Lumen Field next weekend will face a tall task.
Reality sets in for banged-up 49ers
It's hard to look for silver linings after a playoff loss, but the fact that the 49ers even made it to the divisional round is a borderline miracle.
No team dealt with more devastating injuries than San Francisco this season, and head coach Kyle Shanahan deserves a ton of credit for even getting his team to this point.
The 49ers went into Seattle without three of their most important players, as linebacker Fred Warner, defensive end Nick Bosa and tight end George Kittle were all unavailable.
Then, in what seemed like a fitting tribute to their unlucky season, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end Jake Tonges suffered injuries of their own during the game.
Against a team like the Seahawks, it was all too much to overcome.
But if this season did prove one thing, it's that a fully healthy 49ers squad will be a force to be reckoned with next season.
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