The 5-3 Buffalo Bills can certainly do a lot for their playoff chances by beating the New Orleans Saints this weekend. They can also get some help around a tightly-packed AFC playoff landscape.
Here are the teams Bills fans should root for this week based on information from the New York Times Playoff Simulator.
Buffalo Bills (5-3) over New Orleans Saints
Sunday, November 12th, 1:00 p.m. ET
This is a big swing game for Buffalo; with a win they are at 67% chance to make the playoffs and with a loss it plummets to 46% chance. The reason is simple. A win here gives the Bills wiggle room and a commanding lead over the rest of the AFC. A loss here, and Buffalo’s room for error shrinks. With games against the Colts, Dolphins, Dolphins, and Chargers coming up, this win could solidify their playoff position.
Denver Broncos (3-5) over New England Patriots (6-2)
Sunday, November 12th, 8:30 p.m. ET
Honestly, the playoff simulator gives this game zero weight for Buffalo’s playoff chances. With a Patriots loss and a Bills win this weekend, Buffalo moves up to a tie for first in the AFC East, though, so that seems a bit odd.
Carolina Panthers over Miami Dolphins (4-4)
Monday, November 13th, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Dolphins sit a game behind the Bills in the AFC East race. The fact that it’s an NFC team makes it even better. On Sunday night, we want Carolina to whoop Miami.
Cincinnati Bengals (3-5) over Tennessee Titans (5-3)
Sunday, November 12, 1:00 p.m. ET
The Titans and Jaguars are locked in a duel for the AFC South crown. One will lose and enter the Wild Card picture. With Cincinnati far back in the playoff picture, a win for them over the Titans would keep all those teams tightly packed around .500 and give the Bills a boost with their winning record.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers over New York Jets (4-5)
Sunday, November 12, 1:00 p.m. ET
Another AFC vs. NFC matchup, the Jets are a game-and-a-half back of Buffalo. Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing another one of his former teams and could put a dagger into New York’s playoff chances. With six losses, New York would have to run the table.
Los Angeles Chargers (3-5) over Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
Sunday, November 12, 1:00 p.m. ET
Just like in the Bengals game against the Titans, a low-level AFC team could keep the AFC Wild Card picture jumble around the .500 mark. This time, the Chargers could knock off the surprising Jaguars, who have a pretty easy path to a surprising playoff berth.
Los Angeles Rams over Houston Texans (3-5)
Sunday, November 12th, 4:05 p.m. ET
The Texans might be 3-5 but in a wide open AFC South, they could rattle off a bunch of wins down the stretch. A strong Rams team, lead by first-year head coach Sean McVay, could help out Buffalo’s own first-year Sean.
Indianapolis Colts (3-6) over Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)
Sunday, November 12th, 1:00 p.m. ET
The Steelers are the class of the AFC right now but not without their flaws. While it’s unlikely they will lose enough games to fall into the playoff picture, the Colts are 100% out of it with six losses already and without the services of several of their top players for the rest of the season, including quarterback Andrew Luck.
Atlanta Falcons over Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, November 12th, 4:25 p.m. ET
We’re getting into the nitty-gritty here, but Strength of Victory is a tiebreaker eventually, and Buffalo beat the Falcons.
Games that don’t really matter:
Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings vs. Washington Redskins
New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers
Teams on a bye:
Kansas City Chiefs (6-3), Baltimore Ravens (4-5), Oakland Raiders (4-5), Philadelphia Eagles
If everything goes Buffalo’s way:
Buffalo could shoot up considerably if things go their way this weekend. They would be tied with the Patriots for first in the AFC East at 6-3. Buffalo would lose out on the division record tiebreaker since they are 1-1 to New England’s 1-0.
In the Wild Card race, Buffalo would move a game up on the field if either Jacksonville or Tennessee lose. A loss for the Dolphins would make it even better.