A decade-old photo of Hailee Steinfeld cheering for the Denver Broncos went viral this week, sparking fun rivalry banter just days before her husband, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, faced the Broncos in the NFL AFC Divisional Round playoff game on January 17, 2026.

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The resurfaced image from Super Bowl 50 (February 7, 2016) shows Steinfeld, then 19, dabbing in a bright orange Broncos Starter jacket on the field after Denver’s 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. Her caption? A enthusiastic “HELL YEAH BRONCOS!!!! 💥” with a sponsored tag.

The throwback exploded online as Bills fans discovered it ahead of the high-stakes matchup at Empower Field at Mile High. Denver’s social team and fans leaned into the trolling—displaying the photo on the stadium Jumbotron during the game, prompting laughs and memes across social media. Some Bills supporters jokingly urged Steinfeld to “delete this now,” while others flooded comments with Broncos QB Bo Nix highlights.

When CBS Sports sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson asked Allen about the viral pic during pre-game interviews, the quarterback handled it with classic humor and husband goals energy. He reportedly laughed, said he “had no idea it was floating around,” joked that Steinfeld was “probably paid to be there,” and added he “definitely wasn’t going to bring it up at home.” His lighthearted response quickly went viral itself, with fans praising him as a “smart man” for keeping the peace—especially since the couple is expecting their first child (announced in December 2025).

The timing couldn’t have been more ironic. Steinfeld, now 29 and a proud Bills Mafia supporter since going public with Allen in 2023 (they married in May 2025), has been all-in for Buffalo. She’s attended games in Bills gear, cheered from afar during Allen’s Wild Card win over the Jaguars (while prepping for the 2026 Golden Globes), and balanced her rising career—fresh off Sinners‘ box office and awards success—with family life.

The photo likely stems from a promotional event or casual Super Bowl attendance (Steinfeld is from California, where no NFL team existed then), not deep fandom. She’s since shifted allegiance fully to her husband’s team, making the old post a harmless relic from a different era.

Despite the pre-game buzz, the Broncos got the last laugh on the field, defeating the Bills 33-30 in overtime to advance. Allen’s solid performance couldn’t overcome Denver’s late-game heroics, ending Buffalo’s Super Bowl hopes for another year.

Through it all, Allen’s chill reaction highlights the couple’s strong, playful dynamic amid NFL drama and impending parenthood. Fans are loving the wholesome side of the story—proving even viral “betrayals” from 2016 can’t shake Bills loyalty in 2026.