Buffalo Bills Bye Week Viewing Guide: Who to Root For in Week 13
The Buffalo Bills—somewhat mercifully—enter Week 13 on their bye, playing spectator to the chaos rather than its protagonist.
At 6-6, Buffalo is currently out of the playoff picture. According to Sumer Sports, it holds just a 20.6 percent chance to make the playoffs. The New York Times playoff predictor has those chances around 14 percent.
While the Bills make the requisite adjustments on their week off, they’ll surely be paying attention to Sunday’s slate of NFL action. Where can the Buffalo faithful find these games, and who should they be rooting for?
Bills receiver Gabe Davis and quarterback Josh Allen celebrate a big play.
© Eric Hartline, USA TODAY
Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans
WHEN: 1 p.m. (ET) TV: CBS
Both of these teams are 6-5 and jostling for a Wild Card spot in the AFC. However, the Bills lost to Denver, inexcusably, in Week 10. Thus, the Broncos own the tiebreaker, and it would be in Buffalo’s best interest if Denver finished at least a game behind in the standings.
The Broncos may take care of that themselves, given a schedule that includes the Los Angeles Chargers (twice) and the Detroit Lions, who won’t make life easy on them, regardless of record. Further, Denver’s five-game win streak coming to an end could satisfy those worried about momentum carrying them to a playoff spot.
The Broncos would have approximately a 25 percent chance to make the playoffs with a loss.
Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
WHEN: 1 p.m. (ET) TV: CBS
The Titans (4-7) have not lived up to expectations and would need a miraculous run just to avoid early elimination. With that said, they could play spoiler for other AFC teams, including the division-rival Colts.
Indianapolis (6-5) is a half-game ahead of Buffalo. Like Denver, there isn’t too much concern that they’ll stick around down the stretch. Quarterback Gardner Minshew is a backup for a reason and the Colts lack a dominant unit to carry them the same way the Cleveland Browns, for example, do.
Regardless, Indianapolis’ lead means it should be rooted against on Sunday.
Miami Dolphins @ Washington Commanders
WHEN: 1 p.m. (ET) TV: FOX
Your instincts do not deceive you. Root against the Dolphins.
If Miami somehow collapses down the stretch and opens up a path for Buffalo to win the AFC East, the Bills will surely be thankful. However unlikely it may be, it would start with losing games they are undoubtedly supposed to win.
As nine-point favorites, the Dolphins are expected to win this one easily. As the Bills know, pre-game spreads and expectations don’t matter much when the bullets start flying. Root for an upset.
Arizona Cardinals @ Pittsburgh Steelers
WHEN: 1 p.m. (ET) TV: CBS
The Cardinals are far out of playoff contention, but the Steelers (7-4) certainly aren’t. The AFC North feels like it should cannibalize itself. But thus far, they’ve got three teams headed to the playoffs.
An upset in Pittsburgh could begin to change things. With Kenny Pickett under center, it may take more than an offensive coordinator firing to fix the offense. Few want to watch such an anemic offense in the playoffs, especially if Bills quarterback Josh Allen is left out of them.
Arizona can do the football world a favor on Sunday. Root for them to do so and make the Steelers’ road that much more difficult.
Cleveland Browns @ Los Angeles Rams
WHEN: 4:25 p.m. (ET) TV: FOX
Much like Pittsburgh, Cleveland (7-4) will take on an NFC West foe on Sunday. Likewise, Bills fans should be rooting for the Rams to win this one.
The more games the middle of the AFC North loses, the better. The Browns will be starting veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, which works in Buffalo’s favor. Cleveland is one of the five teams that are ahead of Buffalo in the AFC playoffs and not in first place.
An 8-4 start means catastrophe would have to strike in the season’s final month to knock them out of the playoffs. With 1.5 games to make up, a Los Angeles victory would grant them a crucial half-game.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Jacksonville Jaguars
WHEN: MONDAY 8:15 p.m. (ET) TV: ABC/ESPN
Part of the traffic in the middle of the AFC is a consequence of some not-so-great football teams hanging around longer than expected.
One of the teams hanging on by a thread is the Bengals. With quarterback Joe Burrow lost to injury, this is the Jake Browning Show. Cincinnati should be expected to fall out of the playoff picture rather quickly, and at 5-6, its playoff chances are already dwindling.
Jacksonville has a chance to all but end the Bengals’ aspirations on Monday Night Football. Effectively eliminating a competitor from the playoff race, Buffalo should be rooting for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars to take care of business. Cincinnati has the tiebreaker over the Bills, too.
