After being 5-5 through the first 10 weeks of the season the Bills have rallied to win four of their last five games, including three straight going into Week 17 against the Patriots.
The Bills win streak has vaulted them into 6th place in the AFC and in position to clinch a playoff berth this weekend. Here is a full list of scenarios in which Buffalo could clinch a playoff spot in Week 17.
Here's who Bills fans should be rooting for using the New York Times Playoff Machine to help Buffalo's playoff chances:
Where the Bills stand
- Record: 9-6 (6th in AFC)
- Chance of making playoffs: 91%
- Chance of winning AFC East: 25%
- Chance of getting No. 6 seed: 51%
- Chance at getting No. 2 seed: 25%
- Chance at getting No. 7 seed: 19%
Miami Dolphins (11-4) at Baltimore Ravens (12-3) | Sunday, Dec. 31 at 1 p.m.
Who to root for: Root for the Ravens
Why: A Dolphins loss keeps the Bills' hopes of winning the AFC East alive for when the two teams meet in Week 18.
A Dolphins win means Miami locks up the AFC East and Buffalo would have to be one of the three wild card teams.
A Bills win + Dolphins loss in Week 17 means Buffalo can clinch the AFC East and the No. 2 seed in the AFC East with a win over the Dolphins in Week 18.
Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) at Indianapolis Colts (8-7) | Sunday, Dec. 31 at 1 p.m.
Who to root for: Root for the Raiders
Why: If the Colts lose, then either of these two scenarios would mean the Bills clinch a playoff spot:
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie OR
- BUF win + CIN loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie
However, there are other scenarios where the Bills still clinch a playoff spot even if the Colts win.
Carolina Panthers (2-13) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) | Sunday, Dec. 31 at 1 p.m.
Who to root for: Root for the Panthers
Why: If the Jaguars lose, then either of these two scenarios would mean the Bills clinch a playoff spot:
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + JAX loss or tie OR
- BUF win + CIN loss or tie + JAX loss or tie
However, there are other scenarios where the Bills still clinch a playoff spot even if the Jaguars win.
Tennessee Titans (5-10) at Houston Texans (8-7) | Sunday, Dec. 31 at 1 p.m.
Who to root for: Root for the Titans
Why: If the Texans lose, then either of these two scenarios would mean the Bills clinch a playoff spot:
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie OR
- BUF win + CIN loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie
But as noted in the matchup above, there are scenarios where the Bills can still clinch a playoff spot even if the Texans win.
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Seattle Seahawks (8-7) | Sunday, Dec. 31 at 4:05 p.m.
Who to root for: Root for the Seahawks
Why: If the Steelers lose, then any of these three scenarios would mean the Bills clinch a playoff spot:
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + CIN loss or tie OR
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + JAX loss or tie OR
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie
Cincinnati Bengals (8-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) | Sunday, Dec. 31 at 4:25 p.m.
Who to root for: Root for the Chiefs
Why: If the Bills are able to win the AFC East, they will most likely be the No. 2 seed in the AFC by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Chiefs. Because of this, it's still okay for Buffalo's sake if Kansas City wins this week.
If the Bengals lose, then any of these scenarios would mean the Bills clinch a playoff spot:
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + CIN loss or tie OR
- BUF win + CIN loss or tie + JAX loss or tie OR
- BUF win + CIN loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie
Clinching Scenarios Summary
These are all the scenarios where the Bills can win Sunday and clinch a playoff spot.
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + CIN loss or tie OR
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + JAX loss or tie OR
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie OR
- BUF win + CIN loss or tie + JAX loss or tie OR
- BUF win + CIN loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie
Worst Case Scenario
A Bills loss + wins by the Steelers, Bengals, Jaguars, Texans, Colts and Dolphins would drop Buffalo out of a playoff spot going into Week 18 and the Dolphins would win the AFC East.
If that happens, the Bills would have to beat Miami in Week 18 in order to make the playoffs.
Best Case Scenario
The best possible outcome for the Bills this week is that any of five 'clinching scenarios' listed above occur AND the Dolphins lose to the Ravens to set up an AFC East division championship game in Week 18.
If that happens, Buffalo would be guaranteed a playoff spot, regardless of their Week 18 result against Miami.
