Buffalo Bills Week 17 AFC playoff race rooting interests

The Buffalo Bills ground out a tough win against the Cleveland Browns to keep everything on the table for themselves in Week 17. The win wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t even fun, but it was a win and, at this time of year, that’s all that matters. With the win, and an Indianapolis Colts loss the next day, Buffalo was guaranteed a date in this season’s playoffs.

AFC East Week 17 standings

1. New England Patriots (12-3)
2. Buffalo Bills (11-4)
3. Miami Dolphins (6-9)
4. New York Jets (3-12)

AFC Playoff Picture heading into Week 17

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

No one changed positions in the AFC after the close of Week 16, however several more teams — including the Buffalo Bills — guaranteed themselves a playoff appearance. Now there are four teams left fighting for two available postseason spots.

While we already know five of the AFC playoff teams, none of them have their seed locked in. That’s right — not only is every division crown still up for grabs, so is the conference’s one seed. The Bills can grab both if they keep winning and get help from some teams that have nothing left to play for other than pride. If the Patriots lose either of their next two games and the Bills win both of their remaining games, they will be crowned AFC East champs for the sixth-straight year.

At the same time, the Bills winning with the Patriots, Broncos, and Chargers losing could result in the playoffs running through Highmark — something that seems perfectly fitting if you believe the NFL runs on a script. Regardless, there is plenty to play for over the last two weeks of the 2025 NFL season.

So, here’s a look at who Bills Mafia needs to root for in Week 17.

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AFC East Week 17 Bills rooting interests

Buffalo Bills (11-4) over Philadelphia Eagles (3-11), Sunday 4:25 p.m. EST (FOX)

This one goes without saying. We always root for the Bills, but this week we’re rooting for a win that will keep the AFC East title in play. Regardless of what happens with New England this weekend, if the Bills win the crown won’t be given out until the final day of the regular season. And, if it can’t be Buffalo’s, ruining the Patriots’ holiday weekend seems like fun.

Go Bills!

****New York Jets (3-12) over New England Patriots (12-3), Sunday 1 p.m. EST (FOX)

The...