Buffalo Bills Week 16 AFC playoff race rooting interests

Week 15 was very kind to the Buffalo Bills. Not only did they have the big come-from-behind win over the division-leading New England Patriots to keep their quest for a sixth-consecutive division title rolling, several key opponents were officially eliminated from the playoffs.

While the Bills didn’t change their six-seed position in the AFC, the path to the finish line got a lot less crowded. Here’s a look at how things stand as we head into Week 16.

AFC East Week 16 standings

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

AFC Playoff Picture heading into Week 16

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

No one changed positions in the AFC after the close of Week 15, however the fate of several teams was signed. Every team above with an (x) has been eliminated. That’s everyone from the 10 seed down. That’s Kansas City. That’s Miami. That’s Cincinnati.

While Buffalo’s road to a Super Bowl won’t have Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow or even Tua Tagovailoa in it, there are still plenty of quality (and by that I do mean really good) teams in the way. Denver, as marked by a (y) above has clinched a playoff spot and can take the AFC West with a win and they can lock in the conference’s one seed if the Patriots lose at the same time. Of course, Houston is a problem for Josh Allen and Sean McDermott so staying ahead of them and forcing C.J. Stroud to play at Highmark (if it came to that), is going to be key. And, you can never rule out Aaron Rodgers who, like Allen, pulls out wins at the most opportune times, or Justin Herbert.

But first things first, Buffalo can lock in a playoff appearance with a win this weekend plus a loss by either Houston or Indianapolis. And, with their win over New England last week, the division title is still on the table, but keeping it out there will require another win while snatching the crown from the Patriots will require some help from some unlikely allies.

So, here’s a look at who Bills Mafia needs to root for in Week 16.

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AFC East Week 16 Bills rooting interests

Buffalo Bills (10-4) over Cleveland Browns (3-11), Sunday 1 p.m. EST (CBS)

Obviously, right? The Bills can guarantee themselves at least one postseason game this week. They need (a little) help, but it doesn’t matter what else happens...