Here’s How Buffalo Bills Can Clinch a Playoff Spot in Week 17
The Buffalo Bills had a steep hill to climb coming out of their bye week if they were going to sneak into the playoffs. But after three straight wins, they're now one victory and some help away from their fifth-straight postseason appearance.
ESPN gives Buffalo a 91 percent chance of making the playoffs after their 24-22 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday at SoFi Stadium. Along with the win, Buffalo (9-6) got much-needed help with losses from the Houston Texans (8-7) and Indianapolis Colts (8-7) on Sunday.
Josh Allen became the first player in NFL history to reach 40 total touchdowns in four straight seasons with three touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Indianapolis has a 48 percent chance of making the playoffs, while Houston's dropped to 38. The Colts and Texans play in Week 18 in what could be a battle for the final playoff spot.
Houston and Indianapolis are also in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC South with the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7), though they hold the edge over both teams in the situation they end the season with the same record.
Heading into Sunday vs. the New England Patriots (4-11) at 1 p.m. ET at Highmark Stadium, Buffalo has 14 different scenarios where they can clinch a playoff spot, which is as follows:
1. Win + PIT loss or tie + CIN loss or tie
2. Win + PIT loss or tie + JAX loss or tie
3. Win + PIT loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie
4. Win + CIN loss or tie + JAX loss or tie
5. Win + CIN loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie
6. Tie + PIT loss + CIN loss + JAX loss
7. Tie + PIT loss + CIN loss + HOU loss or tie
8. Tie + PIT loss + CIN loss + IND loss or tie
9. Tie + PIT loss + JAX loss + HOU loss or tie
10. Tie + PIT loss + JAX loss + IND loss or tie
11. Tie + PIT loss + HOU loss + IND loss
12. Tie + CIN loss + JAX loss + HOU loss or tie
13. Tie + CIN loss + JAX loss + IND loss or tie
14. Tie + CIN loss + HOU loss + IND loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) face the Seattle Seahawks, who are fighting for a Wild Card spot in the NFC. The Cincinnati Bengals (8-7) have to go on the road to play the Kansas City Chiefs (9-6), who clinch the AFC West with a win or a Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) loss to the Colts.
The Texans, who may get a boost with the return of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, play the Tennessee Titans (5-10), who they beat 19-16 in overtime in Week 15 with backup quarterback Case Keenum.
The other matchup that'll send a ripple effect through the AFC playoff picture on Sunday is the Baltimore Ravens (12-3) vs. the Miami Dolphins (11-4). If the Dolphins win, they clinch the AFC East and have the inside track toward the No. 1 seed. If Baltimore wins, they win the AFC North and take the top seed.
A Bills win plus a Dolphins loss on Sunday would make their matchup in Week 18 a winner-take-all for the AFC East.
