The Bills enter Week 17 in a unique position, at least for them. The Bills playoff position is set in stone, as they are the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoff picture. The ultimate result from the Bills final game against the New York Jets will not impact Buffalo’s fate in the postseason standings.
Buffalo will travel to the team who earns the No. 4 spot in the AFC playoff standings. The Bills will face either the Houston Texans or the Kansas City Chiefs.
With nothing that can be done to improve their playoff spot, some see head coach Sean McDermott resting his starters to prevent the risk of injury.
Quarterback Josh Allen recognizes the risk in the game but also sees that staying on the sidelines may not completely reduce a chance of injury.
“There’s risk in practice, there’s risk in driving around especially up here in the snow, there’s risk all over the place and we get paid to play this game. It’s our job to go out there and play it so we aren’t thinking of injuries or anything like that,” Allen said.
The opportunity to play, according to Allen, will keep him sharp as the team concludes their regular-season slate.
“Any in-game experience is extremely valuable to me, to this team and to everybody that gets on the field. It’s more opportunity, it more experience, different situations in the football game but again when coach says it’s time, it’s time,” Allen said.
McDermott also revealed his plans for the this week’s game, highlighting that the starting players are going to play. However, their time on the field will be altered.
“We have work to do and we will continue to work this week to put our team in the best position possible moving forward. Listen, they are not all going to play the same amount in the game so we are going to be smart with that. It’s important that we get working fundamentally and we are working in terms of execution and we stay sharp as can be. That’s where we are on that,” McDermott said.
Even though the game lacks importance within the standings, Allen sees the contest as one that the team still wants to finish with the victory at the final whistle.
“We are just trying to get another win. We have a good opponent coming up and I’m sure they want to come in here and end their season on a good note too.” Allen added. “We are preparing really hard. Our coaches have a good game plan in and it’s one that we want for sure.”
No matter what, the most important thing for Buffalo this week will be to come home with all players healthy and mentally prepared for the team’s second playoff berth in the past three years.
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