Buffalo Bills Week 12 AFC playoff race rooting interests

Week 11 was much kinder to the Buffalo Bills than the previous few weeks. In fact, almost everything went their way starting with a big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Orchard Park, NY. Several other key playoff-minded teams took losses during Week 11, helping the Bills move up one spot in the race for the postseason. There’s even a new name on top of the conference leader board this week with the Colts having been on bye.

Unfortunately, the New England Patriots still came away with a win thanks to yet another crash landing by the New York Jets, That means that the Bills still trail by a game and a half in the AFC East and will need some help to regain the crown they’ve worn for the last five seasons.

Here’s a look at how things stand before Week 12 kicks off with Thursday Night Football between the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans.

AFC East Week 12 standings

1. New England Patriots (9-2)
2. Buffalo Bills (7-3)
3. Miami Dolphins (4-7)
4. New York Jets (2-8)

AFC Playoff Picture heading into Week 12

1. Denver Broncos (9-2)
2. New England Patriots (9-2)
3. Indianapolis Colts (8-2)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)
5. Buffalo Bills (7-3)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4)
8. Houston Texans (5-5)
9. Kansas City Chiefs (5-5)
10. Baltimore Ravens (5-5)
11. Miami Dolphins (4-7)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (3-7)
13. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)
14. New York Jets (2-8)
15. Celveland Browns (2-8)
16. Tennessee Titans (1-9)

The Bills can’t reclaim the AFC East’s top position in Week 12, but getting their first win in Houston since 2006 will keep the pressure on the Patriots to remain perfect. Of course, New England will have their work cut out for them as they head to Cincinnati.

Kansas City and Baltimore are set to claw their way back into the playoff rankings as eventually Patrick Mahomes will have to get hot in KC and Lamar Jackson’s return in Baltimore has added life to a Ravens team that looked done after their Week 1 heroics weren’t enough to overcome the Josh Allen experience.

So, here’s a look at how we’d like to see things go this weekend. Get ready Bills Mafia, it’s going to be another wild weekend!

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AFC East Week 12 Bills rooting interests

Buffalo Bills (7-3) over Houston Texans (5-5), Thursday 8:15 p.m. EST (Prime Video)

This one goes without saying, but root for the Bills. A win will keep the Bills right where they are (the five seed) in the AFC Playoff Picture. But it will also keep them on pace for a Week 15 shootout for the division with the New England Patriots.

Josh Allen has never won in Houston, and last year looked like he was on a personal mission instead of being a team player. Hopefully, his personal mission this week is to just get another Bills win. The Texans will be without quarterback...