Bills playoff picture: What Week 16 vs. Browns means for AFC standings

The Buffalo Bills could not clinch a playoff spot on their own in Week 16, but they started the week at 99+% chance of making the playoffs. There is still a doomsday scenario where they could miss the postseason, but it is extremely unlikely.

With their win, the Bills moved even closer. Their magic number is down to one. If the Houston Texans or Indianapolis Colts lose this week, Buffalo clinches a spot. Houston plays in the late afternoon slot against the Raiders while the Cols play Monday night against the 49ers.

The Los Angeles Chargers also won, so the Bills didn’t move up at all in the wild card picture.

AFC East standings

The New England Patriots play on Sunday night and they cannot clinch the AFC East this week.

A Bills win and a Patriots loss would tie the two teams, but New England has the AFC East tiebreaker and would still be in first place.

1. New England Patriots 11-3
2. Buffalo Bills 10-4
3. Miami Dolphins 6-8
4. New York Jets 3-11

Updated AFC playoff picture

1. Denver Broncos 12-2 (clinched playoff berth)
2. New England Patriots 11-3
3. Jacksonville Jaguars 10-4
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-6
5. Los Angeles Chargers 11-4
6. Buffalo Bills 11-4
7. Houston Texans 9-5
8. Indianapolis Colts 8-5
9. Baltimore Ravens 7-7

Eliminated from AFC playoff contention

• Miami Dolphins
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Cincinnati Bengals
• New York Jets
• Cleveland Browns
• Tennessee Titans
• Las Vegas Raiders