The Buffalo Bills didn’t have to take the field in Week 7 to get a boost in the AFC race. Their bye week still ended with plenty of movement around them, and by Sunday night Buffalo was sitting tied for first in the conference.
It started on Thursday, when the New England Patriots lost to the Chicago Bears. That result gave the Bills a little more room in the division. Buffalo is now 5-1, while New England sits at 4-3.
Then came Sunday night, when the Kansas City Chiefs lost and dropped to 5-1 as well. That puts the Bills level with Kansas City in the standings, though the Chiefs hold the tiebreaker thanks to a perfect AFC record. Even so, Buffalo owns the best record in the AFC right now.
The AFC picture is still tight behind them, and Week 8 has a chance to shake things up again. The Chiefs and Broncos are set to meet, the Bills are lined up against the Ravens, and the Browns and Steelers will also square off.
Here’s how the AFC playoff standings currently look:
- Kansas City Chiefs (5-1, 5-0 AFC)
- Buffalo Bills (5-1, 3-1 AFC)
- Cleveland Browns (5-2, win over PIT)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
- Denver Broncos (5-2, 2-1 AFC)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2, loss to CLE, 2-2 AFC)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)
- New England Patriots (4-3, 4-1 AFC)
- Baltimore Ravens (4-3, 2-2 AFC)
- Las Vegas Raiders (3-4)
- New York Jets (2-5, 2-2 AFC)
- Indianapolis Colts (2-5, win over HOU, 1-4 AFC)
- Houston Texans (2-5, loss to IND)
- Miami Dolphins (1-5)
- Tennessee Titans (1-6)
- Los Angeles Chargers (0-6)
In Other News...
Bills Face A Cornerback Decision That Could Change Their Defense
Buffalos offense has done enough to keep the Bills in the thick of the AFC race, but the defense still has a shaky feel to it, especially at cornerback. With the trade deadline approaching, that weakness is drawing extra attention, and the front office is at least being linked to a few possible ways to shore up the secondary before the stretch run.
The names being floated reflect the kind of fix Buffalo may need: a player who can hold up in coverage, help stabilize the back end and give the defense a little more flexibility. Whether the Bills choose to pay up for help or hunt for a more manageable deal, the cornerback spot has become one of the clearest places where a move could change how this defense looks down the line. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Bye Week Puts Pressure On Josh Allen's Hot Start
The Bills enter their Week 7 bye with a 5-1 record and plenty to sort through after a fast start. Josh Allen has helped drive an offense that has topped 30 points in four of six games, giving Buffalo the kind of early cushion teams usually hope for in October, even as the defense has left more questions than answers.
Josh Allens side of the ball has given the Bills a chance to breathe during the break, but the reset also comes with the reminder that the next stretch will be a real test of how sustainable this start is. Buffalo comes out of the bye at home against Baltimore, and the balance between keeping the offense rolling and tightening up the rest of the operation will loom over the week ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Fans Have Every Reason To Watch Lamar Jackson Closely
Lamar Jacksons ankle injury has already cost him two games, and the Ravens will keep him out again this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. He has been taking part in limited practices, and Baltimore remains cautiously optimistic about getting its quarterback back soon after a stretch in which the offense has had to make do without one of the leagues most dynamic players.
For Bills fans, the timing matters because NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Jackson is expected to be back for Baltimores Nov. 1 game against Buffalo. The Ravens still have not officially cleared him for Week 8, so there is still a layer of uncertainty, but this is the kind of situation Bills supporters will be monitoring closely as that matchup gets closer. [Read more 🡒]