The Buffalo Bills take on the New York Jets on Sunday, Jan. 4 at 4:25 p.m. ET. This is the final game of the regular season and potential last matchup at Highmark Stadium.

The Bills lead the all-time series between the two teams, 72-58, and quarterback Josh Allen holds a 10-4 record against the Jets. The last time Buffalo fell to New York was Sept. 11, 2023 in overtime on the road. Since 2015, the Bills only lost three times at home to the Jets. Out of the last four matchups, which were all wins, Buffalo beat New York three times by double-digits.

Injury updates from first practice of Week 18

Head coach Sean McDermott gave an injury update from the first day of practice. The Bills held a walk-through on Wednesday.

Allen (foot), linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf), defensive end Joey Bosa (hamstring), safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf) and fullback Reggie Gilliam (illness) did not practice.

"He looks like he's moving in the right direction," McDermott said of Allen. "We'll see how it goes this week."

Allen tweaked his foot during Week 16's game against the Browns. He played on it against the Eagles and McDermott said he is in a better place this week than last.

The HC did not give us an update about starters resting or playing, but McDermott sees value in both sides when it comes to his QB.

"There certainly is," McDermott said of if there's value in Allen playing on Sunday. "There's also value in taking another approach as well so that's what we're going through right now. It all starts with number one is his health. And I could tell you that he's in a better spot according to Nate (Breske) early this week than he was last week."

Tight ends Dalton Kincaid (knee) and Dawson Knox (knee), cornerback Cam Lewis (hamstring) and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (ankle) were limited.

"He's in a better spot than the way he ended the week," McDermott said of Kincaid. "We'll take it one day at a time and see where it goes."

Kincaid missed last week's game against the Eagles due to the knee injury.

Kicker Matt Prater (right quad) was full on Wednesday.

"Anytime you miss a game, it's always tough," Prater said. "Watching the games play out and you're not a part of it, it's tough to watch. But I'm excited to get back out there."

Prater has missed the last two games with the right quad injury. McDermott said on Monday that Prater is heading in the right direction.

Bills players reflect on their memories at Highmark Stadium

With Buffalo being a Wild Card team in the playoffs, Sunday could be its last time playing in Highmark Stadium. The Bills have called the stadium home for 52 memorable years. They'll move across the street to the new Highmark Stadium for 2026.

The players reflected on what the stadium means to them and how, though they're focused on the task at hand and winning the game, they're going to take a moment to appreciate and soak up everything around them from the locker room to the field to the fans.

"I love football history. There's so much football history that has happened at Highmark, and this stadium means a lot to a lot of people," offensive lineman David Edwards said. "To be a part of that's really special, and I don't take that for granted. Even though I've only been here three years, I really feel like I'm part of this community, part of this history and that means a lot to me and my family."

"The history of it all – to be a part of that definitely feels surreal," wide receiver Gabe Davis said. "This is a game that we all dreamed about playing, and to be able to beat some of the record books and doing it in that stadium."

For defensive end Greg Rousseau, he said one of his all-time favorite memories is from 2024 when kicker Tyler Bass kicked the game-winning field goal against Miami with 10 seconds left of the game. The 61-yard kick was a career-best for Bass, gave Buffalo a 30-27 victory and secured the AFC East title that season.

"Just being in the moment, walking through the locker room another time and walking out the tunnel, running out," Rousseau said of what he wants to do. "We've had a lot of crazy wins in there … I can go on for hours about it, but it was real special. Had a lot of fun there."

Knox said he plans on dedicating a moment on Sunday to take a few deep breaths and take everything in. Whether it's before the game, after the game or even a moment during the game, he wants a mental and emotional snapshot of Highmark Stadium one last time.

"The sentimental value of that stadium, the nostalgia that I'll be feeling, the amount of memories that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. I'm so thankful for that," Knox said. "Even though it's just a location … it's a place that I'll be forever grateful for."

Long snapper Reid Ferguson is the current longest active Bills player (10 seasons), so he has memories of Highmark Stadium from before the Sean McDermott and Josh Allen era.

"Every game is a blessing and every game is a gift," Ferguson said. "It's a privilege to be able to go out there and wear the Bills uniform – and wear just an NFL uniform in general."

James Cook can finish the regular season at the top of the league

Running back James Cook has an opportunity to claim the NFL's rushing title in 2025. He currently leads the league in rushing yards with 1,606 yards and Indianapolis Colts' rusher Jonathan Taylor is second with 1,559 yards.

"That's definitely on my mind," McDermott said when asked if Cook will play on Sunday. "That's a heck of an accomplishment if one can accomplish that, or in this case a team or an offense can accomplish that. So, I'm aware of it, we'll see where it goes here."

Cook being on track to lead the NFL in rushing yards in the regular season is an accomplishment that reflects on the whole offense. McDermott said it takes everyone, not just the offensive line and sole running back, to be at the top. He said it's an honor for the entire offense regardless of the player's position.

"He's earned it. He deserves it. You see the types of plays he makes every game. It's really fun blocking for a guy like that," Knox said. "We'll be proud of that as well – the o-line, especially. It's not only [Cook], but the work that they put in, what they do every Sunday that helps him get that title."