The Buffalo Bills’ season got off to an inconsistent start, but they have emerged as one of the top Super Bowl contenders yet again. Entering Week 17, Buffalo was in a position to potentially claim the AFC No.1 seed. However, the Kansas City Chiefs have something to say about that.
Let’s look at the Bills’ current playoff picture and what’s still on the table with two weeks left to play.
What Is the Buffalo Bills’ Current Playoff Picture?
The 12-3 Bills have already clinched the AFC East for the fifth consecutive season. However, with the Chiefs defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers, Patrick Mahomes and Co. have clinched the top seed in the AFC.
Regardless, Buffalo is locked into no worse than a top-three seed after winning the AFC East. They cannot fall to the No. 4 seed because they entered Week 17 three games ahead of the Houston Texans with two left to play.
Do the Bills Have Any Clinching Scenarios in Week 17?
Buffalo can now clinch the No. 2 seed with a win/tie or losses by both the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. The only way the Bills can fall to the No. 3 seed is with an 0-2 finish and a 2-0 finish by whichever team wins the AFC North.
➡️ Chiefs clinched #1 Seed
➡️ Steelers cannot be the #2 seed
➡️ If BAL does not win, Bills clinch #2 seed
➡️ If BAL wins, they need a tie in W18 to clinch
➡️ If BAL wins this week and loses next week, PIT will steal the division on Division record with a win over the Bengals pic.twitter.com/7AXCe4wM1K— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 25, 2024
How Does the Bills’ Week 17 Result Impact Their Playoff Scenarios?
To recap the sections above, there is a very realistic chance the Bills are locked into the AFC’s No. 2 seed by the end of Week 17. The simplest scenario for that to occur would require:
- Chiefs win/tie vs. the Steelers AND
- Bills win/tie vs. the Jets OR
- Both Steelers (vs. KC) and Ravens (vs. HOU) lose/tie
If that occurs, Buffalo could give itself a de facto bye week by resting its top players in Week 18 vs. the New England Patriots. With only one team per conference getting a bye, that could be valuable rest for players like Josh Allen, who has dealt with injuries to both hands this season.
Of course, an upset loss to the Jets would likely force the Bills to play their starters in Week 18 to ensure they don’t fall to the No. 3 seed. While the No. 1 seed would be out of the question at that point, the No. 2 seed is still a valuable position to play for since it would mean home-field advantage in a potential Divisional Round matchup.
AFC Playoff Race | Week 17
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
2. Buffalo Bills (12-3)
3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
4. Houston Texans (9-7)
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
7. Denver Broncos (9-6)
In The Hunt
8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
9. Miami Dolphins (7-8)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)
Eliminated From Playoffs
11. New York Jets (4-11)
12. Cleveland Browns (3-12)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)
14. Tennessee Titans (3-12)
15. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)
16. New England Patriots (3-12)