Which wild-card opponent do Bills want to play most?

Out of six potential opponents, which matchup favors Buffalo the most?

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen runs with the ball for several yards before being tripped up by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt during first half action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 28, 2025. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills' streak of consecutive AFC East titles is over, and now, as a wild-card team, their opponent for the wild-card round will likely be determined after the final regular-season game at Highmark Stadium, which kicks off at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday.

There are six possible opponents for the Bills, but which one looks the most appealing to them? Here's a list of the teams they could face and how they'd feel about each one from best to worst.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

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The Bills defeated the Steelers on the last day of November quite handily, thanks to a couple of big defensive plays, most notably. Now, arguably, their two best players are out, which will make it even easier for them.

DK Metcalf and T.J. Watt are suspended and injured, respectively, but they need to win to get in, and there's no guarantee Buffalo will get to the No. 5 seed anyway.

2. Denver Broncos

Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) on the sidelines during a time out during the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Even though the Broncos are the No. 1 seed in the AFC right now, they haven't been compelling over the last month or so. They've skirted past injury-riddled teams like the Commanders, Packers and Chiefs since Thanksgiving, and got crushed by the Jaguars in Week 16.

The Bills would at least need the Broncos and Jaguars to lose and the Patriots to win to have a shot at a rematch of last season's wild-card game against them this year.

3. New England Patriots

Dec 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III (86) celebrates his touchdown catch against the New York Jets with Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the second half of the game at MetLife Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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The Patriots looked as dominant as ever on Sunday against the New York Jets, with Drake Maye throwing for five touchdowns and taking a seat midway through the third quarter in a 42-10 drubbing that helped them clinch the AFC East.

The Bills would need the Broncos to win and the Jaguars to lose to go along with a win against the Jets in Week 18 to have a shot to face them, and they should be confident, as they beat this team two weeks ago.

4. Baltimore Ravens

Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Ravens always scare the Bills with Derrick Henry in the backfield, especially after coming off his record-breaking seventh 200-yard game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, which helped them stay alive.

Much like the Steelers, a lot of things need to go the Bills' way to have a matchup with the Ravens in the wild-card round, but the Bills will be much happier if they avoid Baltimore, even if they pulled off one of the best comebacks in NFL history against them in Week 1.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Dec 28, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) reacts after a touchdown during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

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The Jaguars are the team that came out of nowhere in the middle of the season, as they have rattled off seven straight wins to vault themselves into the AFC South lead, being led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who's playing like an MVP right now.

The Bills are so unfortunate that Lawrence is so hot right now, as he has accounted for 22 total touchdowns in the Jags' seven-game win streak. Jacksonville is most likely to be Buffalo's first-round opponent, so look out.

6. Houston Texans

Dec 27, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws downfield against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

This Texans team is much different than the squad that defeated the Bills 23-19 with backup QB Davis Mills in Week 12, and not in a good way for Buffalo. Houston is on an eight-game winning streak, with six of those games being decided by one score.

The improving Houston offense complements its top-tier defense excellently, but as long as Jacksonville wins, the Bills won't run into Houston in the wild-card round.

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