The Buffalo Bills’ season has seen ups and downs. After a strong start, it has been a mixed bag.
The Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20-17 in Week 14, though, keeping their playoff hopes alive. How can they make the playoffs and even potentially win the division?
How Can the Buffalo Bills Make the Playoffs?
Entering Week 15, the Bills have a 7-6 record with a three-game deficit in the AFC East. After starting the season 3-1, the Bills went 4-5 over their next nine. After Week 14, here is the AFC playoff picture:
- Baltimore Ravens (10-3)
- Miami Dolphins (9-4)
- Kansas City Chiefs (8-5)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5)
- Cleveland Browns (8-5)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
- Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
- Houston Texans (7-6)
- Denver Broncos (7-6)
- Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
- Buffalo Bills (7-6)
- Los Angeles Chargers (5-8)
- Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)
- New York Jets (5-8)
- Tennessee Titans (5-8)
- New England Patriots (3-10)
Their six losses come against the Jaguars, Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Jets, Bengals and Broncos. Their seven wins, on the other hand, come against the Raiders, Washington Commanders, Dolphins, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jets, and Chiefs.
Following a Week 13 loss to the Eagles, The Bills had just a 15% chance to make the postseason. However, thanks to a bye week and a victory over the Chiefs, their odds are up to 49%, according to ESPN.
A big reason for their increased odds was other AFC playoff contenders falling in Week 14. The Patriots defeated the Steelers, the Jets defeated the Texans, the Bengals defeated the Colts, and the Titans defeated the Dolphins.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Currently, the three AFC Wild Card spots are held by the Browns, Steelers, and Colts. The Bills, holding the 11th seed, are tied with five other teams at 7-6, including the Steelers and Colts.
The only team eliminated from the AFC playoffs is the Patriots. The Broncos and Bengals are both seeded ahead of the Bills because of head-to-head tiebreakers. The second tiebreaker for Wild Card seeding is conference record, giving the Colts, Steelers, and Texans all a higher seeding.
The Bills’ final four games will be against the Dallas Cowboys, Chargers, Patriots, and Dolphins. The Bills will get Dallas and New England at home, while they travel to Los Angeles and Miami.
What Is the Bills’ Path to an AFC East Title?
While the Bills are fighting for just a playoff spot, their division title hopes are just as alive. After Week 14, the Miami Dolphins lead the division with a 9-4 record. They have a two-game lead over the Bills, although Buffalo has the current tiebreaker.
According to ESPN BET, the Bills have +1000 odds to win the AFC East and +115 odds to make the playoffs. To win the AFC East, it’s pretty simple, this is what they need:
- Bills beat Miami in Week 18
- Dolphins lose two more times than Buffalo
While winning out is ideal, the Bills could afford another loss, provided the Dolphins lose too.
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