Bills playoff picture: Post Week-11 recap of AFC teams ‘in the hunt’

Here’s a recap of the latest happenings in the AFC playoff picture after Week 11.

The Buffalo Bills thrashing of the Miami Dolphins in Week 11 has further helped their chances at making a post-season appearance for the second time in the past three years. However, there are still several teams nipping at the heals of the Bills in the playoff race.

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

AFC seeding:

  1. New England Patriots (9-1)
  2. Baltimore Ravens (8-2)
  3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
  4. Indianapolis Colts (6-4)
  5. Buffalo Bills (7-3)
  6. Houston Texans (6-4)

  7. Oakland Raiders (6-4)
  8. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5)
  9. Tennessee Titans (5-5)
  10. Cleveland Browns (4-6)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
10. Cleveland Browns(4-6)

Week 11:

Cleveland defeated Pittsburgh on Thursday night to move within two games of a playoff spot. However, they lost defensive end Myles Garrett for the season after he lost his mind during an altercation with Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph, striking the Steelers quarterback in the head with his own helmet.

Next game:

vs. Miami Dolphins (2-8)

9. Tennessee Titans (5-5)

Week 11:

Bye week

Next game:

vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5)

Week 11:

Mason Rudolph throws four interceptions in Thursday-night loss.

Next game:

at Cincinnati Bengals (0-10)

7. Oakland Raiders (6-4)

Week 11:

Raiders hang on to defeat winless Bengals 17-10 as Derek Carr throws for 292 yards on an efficient 25-of-29 passing day.

Next game:

at New York Jets (3-7)


Playoff teams recap:

6. Houston Texans(6-4)

Week 11:

Houston was smoked by Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens 41-7. The loss drops them out of first place in the AFC South.

Next game:

vs. Indianapolis Colts (6-4)

5. Buffalo Bills (7-3)

Week 11:

Buffalo trounced the Miami Dolphins 37-20 on Josh Allen’s four total touchdowns.

Next game:

vs. Denver Broncos (3-7)

4. Indianapolis Colts(6-4)

Week 11:

Jacoby Brissett returns and the Colts dominate Jacksonville 33-13.

Next game:

at Houston (6-4)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-3)

Week 11:

Kansas City bested division-rival Los Angeles Chargers 24-17 on Monday Night Football despite a quiet day from Patrick Mahomes.

Next game:

Bye week

2. Baltimore Ravens (8-2)

Week 11:

Baltimore routed the prospective playoff-bound Houston Texans 41-7. as the Ravens offense put up 491 total yards on the day.

Next game:

at Los Angeles Rams (6-4)

1. New England Patriots (9-1)

Week 11:

After a slow start, New England’s defense locked down the Philadelphia Eagles in a 17-10 win.

Next game:

vs. Dallas Cowboys (6-4)

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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.

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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:

  1. New England Patriots (8-1, .469 – 21st hardest)
  2. Baltimore Ravens (7-2, .556 – 7th)
  3. Houston Texans (6-3, .554 – 9th)
  4. Kansas City Chiefs (6-4, .500 – 17th)
  5. Buffalo Bills (6-3, .508 – 16th)
  6. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4, .383 – 30th)

  7. Oakland Raiders (5-4, .364 – 31st)
  8. Indianapolis Colts (5-4, .531 – 13th)
  9. Tennessee Titans (5-5, .611 – 3rd)
  10. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5, .446 – 25th)

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