The Buffalo Bills need the Baltimore Ravens to lose one game in order to pass them in the standings. On Saturday, Bills fans will get the unique opportunity to actively root for this to happen as the Ravens play a nationally-televised contest against the Indianapolis Colts.
The one nice thing about tonight’s game is it will add consistency to the playoff pictures out there. Since this is Baltimore’s fourth game against a common opponent with the Bills, that tiebreaker will be in effect for every outlet. No more questioning.
Here is what the playoff picture could look like tonight:
AFC Playoff Standings (with a Ravens win)
1. New England Patriots (11-3, head-to-head win over PIT)+
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3, head-to-head loss to NE)+
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)+
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-6)
5. Baltimore Ravens (9-6, 7-4 AFC record, 4-0 vs. common BUF opponents)
6. Tennessee Titans (8-6, 7-4 AFC record)
7. Buffalo Bills (8-6, 6-4 AFC, 3-1 vs. common BAL opponents)
8. Los Angeles Chargers (7-7)
9. Oakland Raiders (6-8, head-to-head win over MIA)
10. Miami Dolphins (6-8, head-to-head loss to OAK)
11t. New York Jets (5-9)*
11t. Cincinnati Bengals (5-9)*
11t. Denver Broncos (5-9)*
14. Houston Texans (4-10)*
15. Indianapolis Colts (3-12)*
16. Cleveland Browns (0-14)*
* Cleveland, Indianapolis, Houston, Denver, Cincinnati, and New York have been eliminated from the 2017 postseason race.
+ New England, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville have clinched playoff spots.
Buffalo would pass the Titans on Sunday with a win regardless of the outcome of Tennessee’s game. The Bills would match the Titans in conference record and pass them based on wins against common opponents. Buffalo is 3-1 against the Raiders, Colts, Dolphins, and Bengals while Tennessee is 3-2. The Bills win the next tiebreaker, strength of victory, as well.
AFC Playoff Standings (with a Ravens loss)
1. New England Patriots (11-3, head-to-head win over PIT)+
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3, head-to-head loss to NE)+
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)+
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-6)
5. Tennessee Titans (8-6, 7-4 AFC record)
6. Buffalo Bills (8-6, 6-4 AFC, 3-1 vs. common BAL opponents)
7. Baltimore Ravens (8-7, 6-5 AFC record, 3-1 vs. common BUF opponents)
8. Los Angeles Chargers (7-7)
9. Oakland Raiders (6-8, head-to-head win over MIA)
10. Miami Dolphins (6-8, head-to-head loss to OAK)
11t. New York Jets (5-9)*
11t. Cincinnati Bengals (5-9)*
11t. Denver Broncos (5-9)*
14. Houston Texans (4-10)*
15. Indianapolis Colts (4-11)*
16. Cleveland Browns (0-14)*
* Cleveland, Indianapolis, Houston, Denver, Cincinnati, and New York have been eliminated from the 2017 postseason race.
+ New England, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville have clinched playoff spots.
This is the dream scenario for Saturday night. It would mean a Buffalo win in Week 17 is all they would need to pass the Ravens. The only help they would need is a Jets win in Week 16 or a Jaguars, Raiders, or Ravens win in Week 17 to clinch a spot in the postseason. Buffalo could also seal the deal on their own by beating both the Patriots and Dolphins. In short, a Ravens loss would allow the Bills to control their own destiny beginning Sunday in Foxborough.
It’s time to root like crazy. We are huge Colts fans today. They haven’t defeated a team with a winning record yet this season. They’ve had problems scoring points and the Ravens defense is legit. On a national stage, in what is likely to be their last stand for head coach Chuck Pagano, maybe Indianapolis can help Buffalo just this once.
Join us in the comments section below. The Packers and Vikings play later today, too, if you want to chat about that contest.