The Buffalo Bills Are Playoff-Bound Again-But Who Should They Hope to Avoid in the First Round?
For the seventh straight year, the Buffalo Bills are playoff-bound. That’s the longest active postseason streak in the NFL right now-a testament to the consistency and resilience of a franchise that’s been knocking on the Super Bowl door for most of the Josh Allen era. But as the postseason looms, the road ahead is anything but smooth.
Right now, Buffalo sits as the AFC’s No. 6 seed, with two games left to play. There's still a narrow path to the AFC East crown, but the New England Patriots have the inside track.
That means the Bills are likely heading into the playoffs as a wild card team, which makes their final two regular-season games-home matchups against the Eagles and Jets-critical. Not just for seeding, but for momentum.
And possibly, a proper sendoff to the current Highmark Stadium.
No matter how the final standings shake out, one thing is clear: the AFC is wide open. There’s no clear-cut favorite, and matchups will matter more than ever.
For the Bills, that means one thing-avoid the worst-case scenarios in the Wild Card round. Because while Buffalo has the firepower to beat anyone, there are a few teams that pose serious matchup problems.
Let’s take a look at three teams the Bills should hope to steer clear of when the playoffs kick off.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are currently sitting atop the wild card standings, but don’t rule out a late push for the AFC West title if the Denver Broncos stumble. Either way, if the playoff puzzle falls into place in a way that sends Buffalo to Los Angeles, the Bills will have their hands full.
Jim Harbaugh’s squad plays with an edge. Even with a roster that’s been hit hard by injuries, the Chargers have managed to stay relevant-and dangerous.
Justin Herbert has been steady, and the offense has found a rhythm behind a physical ground game led by Omarion Hampton. For a Buffalo defense that’s had its struggles stopping the run, Hampton could be a real problem.
The Chargers also bring a level of toughness and defensive discipline that could test Buffalo’s offensive line and challenge Allen to play mistake-free football. Playing in LA against a Harbaugh-led team that thrives on physicality? That’s not the ideal opening playoff scenario.
2. New England Patriots
Yes, the Bills and Patriots split their regular season series. But if you watched those games closely, you know New England might be the more complete team right now.
In Week 15, Buffalo pulled off a thrilling comeback win against the Patriots-but it took near-flawless execution in all three phases to get it done. That kind of performance is tough to replicate, especially in the high-pressure environment of the playoffs.
The Patriots have shown they can control the tempo, win the line of scrimmage, and make life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks. And let’s not forget-this is a team that would love nothing more than to return the favor after being stunned on their home turf.
A playoff rematch would be emotionally charged, physically demanding, and far from a guaranteed win for Buffalo.
1. Houston Texans
The Texans haven’t officially punched their playoff ticket yet, but they’re right on the doorstep. If they win out and the Jaguars slip, Houston could even steal the AFC South. Either way, this is a team no one wants to face right now-especially not Buffalo.
Week 12 was a wake-up call. Houston’s defensive line harassed Josh Allen all afternoon, collapsing the pocket and forcing mistakes. The Texans brought relentless pressure, and Buffalo never found an answer.
If the Bills have to go back to Houston for the Wild Card round, they’ll be walking into a hornet’s nest. The Texans are young, fast, and aggressive-and they already know how to beat Buffalo. That’s a matchup that could tilt in Houston’s favor quickly, especially if the Bills can’t protect Allen or establish a ground game.
The Bottom Line
The Bills are in the dance, and with Josh Allen under center, they’ll always have a shot. But playoff football is about matchups, and some teams just present more problems than others.
Buffalo’s path to the Super Bowl will be shaped not just by how they finish these next two weeks, but by who’s waiting for them in the Wild Card round. The Chargers, Patriots, and Texans each bring a unique challenge-and if the Bills want to make a deep run, they’ll be hoping to avoid all three.
For now, the focus is on finishing strong. Two more games. Two more chances to sharpen the edges before the real season begins.