Lots of former Buffalo Bills will be taking the field this weekend even if the current Buffalo Bills are eliminated. Let’s take a look at the teams remaining.
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
The Bills and Texans squared off in the Wild Card round last week, with Houston pulling out a narrow overtime victory. Buffalo didn’t play Kansas City in 2019.
Houston Texans
Former Bills running back Taiwan Jones is on the Texans. He had a long play in overtime against Buffalo last week to set up the game-winning field goal. Their backup quarterback is former Bills presumptive starter A.J. McCarron, who spent an offseason competing to be the starter but lost to Nathan Peterman. McCarron was traded, Peterman stunk, and Josh Allen took over midway through Week 1 of his rookie season. Former Bills CB Phillip Gaines is on injured reserve.
On the Houston coaching staff is defensive-line coach Anthony Weaver, who served the same role in Buffalo in 2013.
Kansas City Chiefs
Former Bills Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy was second on the Chiefs in rushing in 2019, but didn’t top 500 yards on the ground. His yards per play was back up, but his overall utilization was down. Former first-round pick Sammy Watkins was third on the Chiefs in receptions in 2019, hauling in 52 passes for 673 yards and three scores. Former Bills second-round pick Reggie Ragland started seven games for Kansas City. The linebacker never played a down for Buffalo after suffering a knee injury in his first offseason and being traded following a regime change before his second.
There are connections to the Bills on the Chiefs’ coaching staff, with Bills head coach Sean McDermott working with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid when the pair were together in Philadelphia with the Eagles. None of the Kansas City coaches have worked in Buffalo, though.
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers
Buffalo didn’t play either team in 2019, but will play the Seahawks in 2020.
Seattle Seahawks
Former first-round running back Marshawn Lynch highlights the former Bills now in Seattle. He was just re-signed on Christmas Eve after a few injuries to their backfield.
There aren’t any Bills connections on their coaching staff that I can find.
Green Bay Packers
There aren’t any Bills connections on the Packers roster.
The Packers do have former Bills on their coaching staff. Former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett holds the same title in Green Bay after serving in the role under Doug Marrone. Former defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has the same job in Green Bay, too. Both Pettine and Hackett held their same positions on the 2013 Bills.