As we flip the calendar to December, the NFL playoff picture is starting to sharpen, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With 13 weeks in the books, the postseason race is heating up - especially in the AFC, where the margins are razor-thin and every game from here on out is essentially a playoff audition.
Let’s break down where things stand if the playoffs started today - and what it means for a Buffalo Bills team that’s very much in the thick of it.
AFC Playoff Snapshot (Through Week 13)
Here’s how the AFC bracket would line up if the postseason kicked off this weekend:
- No. 1 seed: New England Patriots (11-2) - Bye week
- **No.
7 Buffalo Bills (8-4)** at No. 2 Denver Broncos (10-2)
- No. 6 Indianapolis Colts (8-4) at **No.
3 Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)**
- **No.
5 Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)** at No. 4 Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
Yes, you read that right - four teams at 8-4 are currently jockeying for three wild card spots and one division crown. The logjam is real, and it’s setting up for a chaotic December.
The Bills, sitting at 8-4, currently hold the seventh and final playoff spot. That would send them on the road to face the 10-2 Denver Broncos in the Wild Card Round - a tough assignment, especially at altitude. But Buffalo’s defense has shown flashes of being playoff-ready, and if Josh Allen can catch fire down the stretch, this is a team nobody wants to see in January.
Who’s on the Outside Looking In?
The AFC bubble is crowded with contenders - and a few pretenders - all clinging to postseason hopes:
- Houston Texans (7-5) - Just outside the cut line, but very much alive.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) - In the mix, but inconsistent play has them teetering.
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) - A .500 record this late in the season is unfamiliar territory for Patrick Mahomes and company, but they’re still dangerous.
- Miami Dolphins (5-7) - Slipping, but not mathematically out.
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) - On life support.
- New York Jets (3-9) and Cleveland Browns (3-9) - Playing for pride.
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) and Tennessee Titans (1-11) - Officially eliminated.
Tiebreakers are going to play a massive role over the next five weeks. Head-to-head results, divisional records, conference records, and common opponents - all of it matters. And for teams like the Bills, every snap from here on out could be the difference between a playoff berth and an early offseason.
Buffalo’s Road Ahead
The Bills don’t have the easiest path, but it’s manageable - and more importantly, it’s decisive. Here’s what’s left on their schedule:
- Week 14 (Dec. 7): vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 15 (Dec. 14): at New England Patriots
- Week 16 (Dec. 21): at Cleveland Browns
- Week 17 (Dec. 28): vs. Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 18 (TBD): vs. New York Jets
That Week 15 showdown in Foxborough looms large. Not only is it a chance to take down the top seed, but it could also swing tiebreaker scenarios down the line. The Week 17 matchup against the Eagles - one of the NFC’s best - will be another litmus test for Buffalo’s playoff readiness.
The Bills have little room for error, but they also control their own destiny. Win out, and they could climb the seeding ladder. Slip up, and they’ll be watching the playoffs from the couch.
Final Word
With five weeks to play, the AFC playoff picture is anything but settled. The Patriots have the inside track to the top seed, but the rest of the field is wide open. For Buffalo, the mission is clear: stack wins, stay healthy, and seize the moment.
December football is here - buckle up.