Bills playoff picture: Who to root for during Week 13

The Bills made a nation-wide statement on… Thursday. Buffalo topped the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving which was a fun time. But now that means the Bills don’t play during Sunday’s feast of Week 13 football.

The Bills made a nation-wide statement on… Thursday.

Buffalo topped the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving which was a fun time. But now that means the Bills don’t play during Sunday’s feast of Week 13 football.

After the high of winning that game, Bills fans will still want to keep one eye on some football on Sunday. Plus, there’s still other teams vying for playoff spots against the Bills.

Here’s who Buffalo fans should root for on Sunday across the NFL:

1 p.m. games

San Francisco 49ers (10-1) at Baltimore Ravens (9-2)

Pick: 49ers

An AFC-NFC crossover here. The Bills have the Ravens up next. With a loss, Baltimore sits at 9-3. That’d make Buffalo and Baltimore both 9-3 heading into next week. So pull for the 49ers to help create an epic meeting at New Era Field in Week 14. Not that we need anything more to hype up Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson.

Tennessee Titans (6-5) at Indianapolis Colts (6-5)

Pick: Titans

Both the Colts and Titans are in the Wild Card picture with Buffalo. The Bills have a tiebreaker on the Titans, so pull for them against the Colts. If it comes down to Titans vs. Bills later, that tiebreaker makes all the difference.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7)

Pick: Bucs

While the Jaguars are low on the totem pole of Wild Card chances, the Buccaneers are even lower. In fact, they have zero percent chances of making the AFC Wild Card, because they play in the NFC. So you might as well pull for them to just squash the Jags’ postseason chances once and for all.

Cleveland Browns (5-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)

Pick: Steelers

This one is hard to pick. Pull for a tie. The Browns have a soft schedule to end the season and have a tiebreaker on the Bills after beating them head-to-head. But wait, the Browns play the Ravens. They’ll lose that, right? One of the only teams to beat the Ravens already this year was the Browns. So, very realistic that happens. With a loss, the Browns season is essentially over so pull for the Steelers and then have the Bills get the head-to-head win on them in a few weeks.

Green Bay Packers (8-3) at New York Giants (2-9)

Pick: Giants

All-NFC showcase here, but the Giants get a strength of schedule boost for the Bills with a win. Go Danny Dimes!

Washington Redskins (2-9) at Carolina Panthers (5-6)

Pick: Redskins

The Redskins give Buffalo a better look in strength of schedule, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) at Miami Dolphins (2-9)

Pick: Dolphins

Strength of schedule for the Dolphins here. Pull for them. And who do the Eagles think they are beating the Bills earlier this year?

New York Jets (4-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-11)

Pick: Bengals

Like the Browns, the Jets have a very easy schedule down the stretch. So if they can pick up any losses now that they’re on a three-game winning streak, that’d be great. Plus, no one wants to see the Bengals go winless. Have a heart.

4 p.m. games

Los Angeles Rams (6-5) at Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1)

Pick: No rooting interest

Toss up of teams that don’t matter to the Bills. Pull for the Rams because the Cardinals have a tie and that’s just so ugly looking.

Oakland Raiders (6-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)

Pick: Chiefs

The Chiefs and Bills could realistically meet in the postseason as a four against five seed game. But pull for them to top the Raiders, who are vying for Buffalo’s Wild Card spot themselves.

Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) at Denver Broncos (3-8)

Pick: Broncos

For strength of schedule purposes, pull for the Broncos in Drew Lock’s debut.

Sunday Night Football

New England Patriots (10-1) at Houston Texans (7-4)

Pick: Patriots

Take the safe bet, as they say. It’s been a heck of a ride for the Bills, but don’t count on them topping the Patriots for the AFC East crown in 2019. Instead, pull for them to knock off the Texans, who eventually could slid into a Wild Card battle with Buffalo.

Monday Night Football

Minnesota Vikings (8-3) at Seattle Seahawks (9-2)

Pick: No rooting interest

Pull for the Vikings, our four Super Bowl brethren.

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Bills playoff picture: Post Week-12 recap of AFC teams ‘in the hunt’

With that, here’s a recap of the latest happening in the AFC playoff picture from Week 12:

The Bills took another step forward in their hopes for a playoff berth in Week 12. Buffalo handled their business against the Denver Broncos in a 20-3 win.

But there are still several teams on the Bills’ heels, hoping to steal their spot. The work is far from done.

With that, here’s a recap of the latest happening in the AFC playoff picture from Week 12:

AFC seeding:

New England Patriots (10-1)
Baltimore Ravens (9-2)
Houston Texans (7-4)
Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
Buffalo Bills (8-3)
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
Oakland Raiders (6-5)
Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
Tennessee Titans (6-5)
Cleveland Browns (5-6)

Playoff team recap:

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Bills playoff picture: Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill scheduled for MRI

Buffalo Bills playoff picture news: Injury update on Kansas City WR Tyreek Hill.

An MRI will revealed how long the Kansas City Chiefs could be without wide receiver Tyreek Hill down the stretch run.

In their 24-17 win over the Chargers on Monday Night Football, Hill left the game with a right hamstring injury. Chiefs Wire reported on the MRI on Monday.

Hill is quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ top-target in the Chiefs’ dynamic offense. At 7-4 overall, KC is currently the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoff picture. Buffalo is at No. 5, the first wild card spot.

With their close records in mind, the Chiefs could be a team Buffalo faces if the Bills reach the postseason. Had the playoffs started last week, that would have been the case.

But we might need to wait a bit to hear a status update on Hill. The Chiefs are entering their bye in Week 12, so media availability will be at a minimum in Kansas City. Hamstring injuries are known to linger, and missing your best playmaker is never a good thing, even with a QB like Mahomes in the fold.

The 25-year-old wide receiver has been held to seven games played this season already due to injury. He’s made 33 catches for 543 yards with five scores. Hill also ranks as Pro Football Focus’ best receiver in the entire NFL with an overall grade of 90.4.

The Bills and Chiefs are not slated to faceoff in a head-to-head meeting during the remainder of the regular season.

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Bills playoff picture: Damien Williams rejoined Chiefs ahead of Mexico trip

Buffalo Bills playoff picture: It appears the Chiefs will have the services of running back Damian Williams against the Chargers on Monday Night Football in Mexico City.

It appears the Chiefs will have the services of running back Damien Williams against the Chargers on Monday Night Football in Mexico City.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Williams, who was listed as questionable coming into Week 11’s final game, made the international journey down south with his teammates.

Williams missed the Chiefs’ practices on Friday and Saturday due to personal reasons. In Week 10 during a Chiefs loss to the Titans, Williams was their starter. Former Bill LeSean McCoy was actually a healthy scratch.

Per Chiefs Wire, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid cited McCoy’s age and workload for the decision to make McCoy inactive. McCoy has also struggled with ball security with KC. Williams had a costly fumble in the Chiefs’ loss to the Titans, too. Other than the fumble, Williams had a productive game, averaging 4.1 yards per carry (77 rush yards) while adding another five catches for 32 yards.

Even Chiefs Wire admits that there’s “no telling” which of those two will be the starting back on Monday Night Football.

The upcoming game against the Chargers on Monday is a big one for the Chiefs and Bills in regards to the AFC playoff picture.

If the playoffs started today, the 7-3 Bills – the first wild-card team – would face the 6-4 Chiefs, who lead the AFC West and hold the fourth seed in the conference.

But the Chiefs have the Raiders right on their backside, who also sit at 6-4.

An added nugget as well: If the Chargers lose this game, their playoff hopes are likely done as well as they enter the game at 4-6.

All three of the aforementioned AFC West squads will be teams the Bills scoreboard watch the rest of the 2019 season. Buffalo has no meetings against any of them down the stretch.

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Bills playoff picture: Browns down Steelers, likely lose Myles Garrett

Buffalo Bills playoff picture with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph.

There’s a lot to note from Week 11 of the NFL season in regard to the Bills’ playoff picture.

And it’s only Friday.

So far, we’ve only seen Thursday Night Football. That contest was between two teams within reach of the Bills in the AFC playoff picture.

Heading into the game, the Browns needed to, and did, win, over the Steelers. The score was 21-7. Pittsburgh was holding the second wild card spot at 5-4 but no longer is. Cleveland’s now a 4-6 and while still on the outside looking in, they’re hot after beating the Bills last week, too.

That also means if they stay hot, Buffalo will have lost that tiebreaker.

But the huge story out of this game is Myles Garrett. The pass rusher is Cleveland’s best player and his season could be over. After getting tied up with Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, he ripped off his helmet and swung it at him.

Yes, that happened:

I cannot believe this just happened pic.twitter.com/EHwImPUrSH

— Barstool Sports (@BarstoolsTweets) November 15, 2019

Garrett owned up to what happened after the game.

“I made a mistake, I lost my cool and I regret it,” Garrett said.

But some are calling for legal action against Garrett for what he did. This could get ugly.

Regardless, Rudolph was not happy, naturally.

“I know it’s bush league, and I know it’s a total coward move on his part,” Rudolph said.

But to round things out, this is a big blow to the Browns’ chances of catching the Bills in the standings.

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Bills playoff picture: Texans get two playmakers on offense back

Bills playoff picture 2019, the Houston Texans get Will Fuller, Jordan Thomas back from injury.

[jwplayer rzKgNnfu-ThvAeFxT]

The Texans currently sit in the top spot of the AFC South. But no division is tighter than theirs.

Behind the Texans (6-3), in order, are the Colts (5-4), Titans (5-5) and Jaguars (4-5).

That’s not AFC East with the Jets and Dolphins. Realistically, any of them can rip off a few wins and take the top spot from the Texans, who would then be a in wild card battle with the 6-3 Bills.

Regardless, the AFC South leaders who share the same record as the Bills are getting some reinforcements coming out of their Week 10 bye.

According to Texans Wire, receiver Will Fuller (hamstring) and tight end Jordan Thomas (ribs) returned to practice on Monday.

Fuller was hurt in Week 7 and nearly returned before the Texans’ bye. This season Fuller has 34 receptions for 450 yards and three touchdowns.

Thomas is an interesting case. He’s set to play already this week and the Texans have activated him from the injured reserve list. He’s yet to play this season, but Texans Wire called him the preseason “favorite” to be their No. 1 tight end this year. In 2018, Thomas notched four red zone touchdowns while racking up 20 receptions for 215 yards.

In terms of head-to-head meetings, the Bills won’t see the Texans this season, but quarterback Deshaun Watson will have these two playmakers at his disposal moving forward. Houston plays the Ravens in Week 11.

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Updated look at Bills’ remaining strength of schedule

Buffalo Bills remaining stretch of schedule in 2019.

The Bills sit at 6-3 after their 19-16 loss to the Browns and their 2019 schedule down the stretch is much tougher.

So, how much tougher is it exactly?

Currently the Bills sit dead-center in the NFL.

Buffalo has the 16th hardest schedule remaining in the NFL. Left on Buffalo’s schedule, in order, are the Dolphins, Broncos, Cowboys, Ravens, Steelers, Patriots and Jets.

Combined, those teams are 32-31 overall this year with a .508 winning percentage.

Earlier this season, NFL analysts were critical of the Bills and their opponents. Now the Bills will have a chance to prove they can beat better teams.

With the Bills’ schedule in mind, let’s now compare that with the other teams currently in the AFC Wild Card and playoff picture. If Buffalo doesn’t get it done, things could go bad.

Here’s how the standings currently sit with team records and remaining strength of schedule.

AFC seeding:

New England Patriots (8-1, .469 – 21st hardest)
Baltimore Ravens (7-2, .556 – 7th)
Houston Texans (6-3, .554 – 9th)
Kansas City Chiefs (6-4, .500 – 17th)
Buffalo Bills (6-3, .508 – 16th)
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4, .383 – 30th)
Oakland Raiders (5-4, .364 – 31st)
Indianapolis Colts (5-4, .531 – 13th)
Tennessee Titans (5-5, .611 – 3rd)
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5, .446 – 25th)

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Bills playoff picture: Post-Week 10 recap of AFC teams ‘in the hunt’

The Bills’ loss to the Cleveland Browns hurt. All loses tend to do that in the NFL, but this one hurt a little more. The feeling that Buffalo let this one get away, combined with other teams around the AFC playoff picture scoring some wins of their …

The Bills’ loss to the Cleveland Browns hurt.

All loses tend to do that in the NFL, but this one hurt a little more. The feeling that Buffalo let this one get away, combined with other teams around the AFC playoff picture scoring some wins of their own, things didn’t go well for Western New York in Week 10.

Here’s a recap of the latest happenings in the AFC playoff picture:

AFC seeding:

New England Patriots (8-1)
Baltimore Ravens (7-2)
Houston Texans (6-3)
Kansas City Chiefs (6-4)
Buffalo Bills (6-3)
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4)
Oakland Raiders (5-4)
Indianapolis Colts (5-4)
Tennessee Titans (5-5)
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5)

In the hunt teams recap:

Playoff teams recap:

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1 p.m. games

San Francisco 49ers (10-1) at Baltimore Ravens (9-2)

Pick: 49ers

Tennessee Titans (6-5) at Indianapolis Colts (6-5)

Pick: Titans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7)

Pick: Bucs

Cleveland Browns (5-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)

Pick: Steelers

Green Bay Packers (8-3) at New York Giants (2-9)

Pick: Giants

Washington Redskins (2-9) at Carolina Panthers (5-6)

Pick: Redskins

Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) at Miami Dolphins (2-9)

Pick: Dolphins

New York Jets (4-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-11)

Pick: Bengals

4 p.m. games

Los Angeles Rams (6-5) at Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1)

Pick: No rooting interest

Oakland Raiders (6-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)

Pick: Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) at Denver Broncos (3-8)

Pick: Broncos

Sunday Night Football

New England Patriots (10-1) at Houston Texans (7-4)

Pick: Patriots

Monday Night Football

Minnesota Vikings (8-3) at Seattle Seahawks (9-2)

Pick: No rooting interest

AFC seeding:

“In the hunt” recap

10. Cleveland Browns (5-6)

Week 12:

Next game:

9. Tennessee Titans (6-5)

Week 12:

Next game:

8. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)

Week 12:

Next game:

7. Oakland Raiders (6-5)

Week 12:

Next game:

Playoff team recap:

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)

Week 12:

Next game:

5. Buffalo Bills (8-3)

Week 12:

Next game:

4. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)

Week 12:

Next game:

3. Houston Texans (7-4)

Week 12:

Next game:

2. Baltimore Ravens (9-2)

Week 12:

Next game:

1. New England Patriots (10-1)

Week 12:

Next game:

AFC seeding:

AFC seeding:

In the hunt teams recap:

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5)

Week 10:

Next game:

9. Tennessee Titans (5-5)

Week 10:

Next game:

8. Indianapolis Colts (5-4)

Week 10:

Next game:

7. Oakland Raiders (5-4)

Week 10:

Next game:

Playoff teams recap:

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4)