The Buffalo Bills are officially playoff-bound for the seventh consecutive season, and they didn’t even need to take the field to punch their ticket. Thanks to the Indianapolis Colts falling to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, Buffalo clinched a postseason berth and solidified its place in the AFC playoff picture.
A Familiar December Feeling in Buffalo
For head coach Sean McDermott, playoff football in Buffalo has become the norm. This marks the eighth time in nine seasons that the Bills are headed to the postseason under his leadership-a remarkable stretch for a franchise that once endured a 17-year playoff drought.
But this team isn’t just satisfied with getting in. With two weeks left in the regular season, the Bills are still very much in the hunt for the AFC East crown, sitting just one game behind the division-leading New England Patriots.
Where Do the Bills Stand Now?
As it stands, Buffalo holds the No. 6 seed in the AFC. That spot keeps them in the mix for a potential first-round road matchup, but there’s still plenty of movement possible.
The Bills could climb as high as the No. 1 seed-or fall to No. 7-depending on how the final two weeks shake out. In other words, there’s still a lot on the line.
The AFC East Race: Still Wide Open
The division title is still within reach. At 11-4, the Bills are chasing the 12-3 Patriots with two games to go. Here’s how Buffalo can leapfrog New England and claim a sixth straight AFC East title:
- Scenario 1: Buffalo wins at least one of its final two games and New England loses both of its remaining matchups.
- Scenario 2: Buffalo wins out and New England drops either of its last two games (against the Dolphins or Jets).
So yes, the door is open-but the Bills will need a little help.
What About the Patriots?
New England has a chance to shut that door as early as Week 17. If the Patriots beat the Jets and Buffalo loses to the Eagles, the division belongs to New England. That would officially end the Bills’ bid for another AFC East banner.
Tiebreaker Math: Still in Flux
Right now, the tiebreaker situation between the Bills and Patriots is still unsettled:
- Head-to-head: Split 1-1.
- Division record: Patriots lead (3-1) over the Bills (3-2).
- Common opponents: Patriots are 9-1 with two games to go (Jets, Dolphins); Bills are 9-2 with one left (Jets).
- Conference record: Bills hold the edge at 8-3, while the Patriots are 7-3.
- Strength of victory: Advantage Buffalo (.430 vs. New England’s .367).
- Strength of schedule: Again, Buffalo leads (.467 vs. .391).
So while New England has the edge in division play and common opponents, the Bills are stronger in conference play and strength metrics. If things get tight, those details could make all the difference.
AFC Playoff Picture: The Contenders and the Chasers
Here’s where things stand across the AFC:
- Clinched Playoff Berths: Denver Broncos (12-3) New England Patriots (12-3) Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) Buffalo Bills (11-4)
- Still in the Mix: Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) Houston Texans (10-5) Indianapolis Colts (8-7) Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
- Eliminated: Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) Miami Dolphins (6-9) Cincinnati Bengals (5-10) New York Jets (3-12) Tennessee Titans (3-12) Cleveland Browns (3-12) Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
With the top six seeds clinched, the final wild card spot is still up for grabs, and things could get wild in the final two weeks.
What’s Next for Buffalo?
The Bills close the regular season with two critical games-one against the Eagles and another against the Jets. They’ll need to stay locked in, because while the playoff berth is secure, the seeding and division title are still very much in play.
For now, though, Buffalo can take a moment to appreciate what they’ve accomplished. Seven straight playoff appearances is no small feat. But if you’ve been following this team, you know they’re not just aiming to make the dance-they’re trying to lead it.