While it may seem as though your usual Sunday slate will be more boring without a Buffalo Bills game, there are some primo match-ups on the docket in Week 13. But how can any game be as exciting as the Bills knocking the stuffing out of America’s Team? There are still plenty of reasons to tune in today, in hopes that things continue coming up Buffalo. Here’s your open thread to discuss and enjoy today’s leftovers with your fellow Buffalo Rumblers.
Click here to read about the Bills’ Week 13 rooting interests.
The 1 p.m. EST games
A potential Super Bowl preview takes place early as the San Francisco 49ers invade Maryland in a bid to knock the Baltimore Ravens down a peg or two. Also on tap at 1 p.m. EST is the rematch between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, with both teams still likely harboring frustrations and animosity from their Week 11 game (The Steelers may also be a bit salty over that shirt Freddy Kitchens was spotted wearing this past Friday.) Rounding out the best early match-ups we have the Tennessee Titans squaring off against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Both teams are 6-5 and hanging on for dear life in a bid for that six and final spot among the AFC’s pair of Wild Card teams.
The 4 p.m. EST games
The big late-afternoon match-up pits two AFC West teams vying for supremacy within their division. The Oakland Raiders travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. With the Raiders reeling following an embarrassing East Coast loss to the New York Jets and the Chiefs appearing vulnerable this season thanks to a sieve-like defense, there are sure to be fireworks in Missouri.
The 8:20 nightcap
The New England Patriots take on the Houston Texans in NRG Stadium to close out Sunday’s slate. The mighty Patriots defense looks to slow down the high-powered Texans offense, featuring quarterback Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins. While New England is 10-1 this season, their offense has appeared listless at times, unable to score against stout defenses. Will Houston manage to keep Brady and co. out of the end zone enough to hand them a loss the Bills would truly appreciate? Let’s hope there’s still a bit of magic left in Texas!
Full AFC Standings
1. New England Patriots (10-1)
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-2)
3. Buffalo Bills (9-3)
4. Houston Texans (7-4, head-to-head win over KC)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4, head-to-head loss to HOU)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5, 5-3 AFC)
7. Oakland Raiders (6-5, 4-3 AFC, head-to-head win over IND)
8. Indianapolis Colts (6-5, 5-5 AFC, head-to-head win over TEN, head-to-head loss to OAK)
9. Tennessee Titans (6-5, 4-4 AFC, head-to-head loss to IND)
10. Cleveland Browns (5-6, 5-3 AFC)
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7, 4-5 AFC)
12. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7, 2-6 AFC)
13. New York Jets (4-7, 1-6 AFC)
14. Denver Broncos (3-8)
15. Miami Dolphins (2-9)
16. Cincinnati Bengals (0-11)*
Full AFC Playoff Standings
1. New England Patriots (10-1)
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-2)
3. Houston Texans (7-4, head-to-head win over KC)
4. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4, head-to-head loss to HOU)
5. Buffalo Bills (9-3)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5, 5-3 AFC)
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7. Oakland Raiders (6-5, 4-3 AFC, head-to-head win over IND)
8. Indianapolis Colts (6-5, 5-5 AFC, head-to-head win over TEN, head-to-head loss to OAK)
9. Tennessee Titans (6-5, 4-4 AFC, head-to-head loss to IND)
10. Cleveland Browns (5-6, 5-3 AFC)
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6, 4-4 AFC)
12. Los Angeles Chargers (4-7, 2-6 AFC)
13. New York Jets (4-7, 1-6 AFC)
14. Denver Broncos (3-8)
15. Miami Dolphins (2-9)