The Buffalo Bills can’t clinch a playoff berth in Week 15, but they can come close and help keep the New England Patriots from securing a spot.
Buffalo’s victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last week created a glimmer of hope that the Bills can make a late-season surge for their sixth consecutive AFC East title.
With a win in Week 15, Buffalo’s playoff odds could climb to 99% while New England’s division celebration stays on hold.
Here’s who Bills fans should root for in Week 15.
Bills (9-4) at Patriots (11-2), Sunday 1 p.m.
Who to root for: Bills
A Buffalo win keeps its AFC East hopes alive and essentially solidifies the Bills’ wild-card position. If the Patriots win, they dethrone Buffalo in the division and win the AFC East title.
Chargers (9-4) at Chiefs (6-7), Sunday 1 p.m.
Who to root for: Chiefs
Yes, again. The Chiefs couldn’t beat the Texans last week to help the Bills. Los Angeles is directly competing with Buffalo for playoff positioning and owns a stronger AFC record. Kansas City does not have a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bills, while the Chargers could become a real obstacle. A Chiefs win helps Buffalo far more than worrying about eliminating Kansas City.
Jets (3-10) at Jaguars (9-4), Sunday 1 p.m.
Who to root for: Jets
Jacksonville leading the AFC South, but if that slips they could land in the wild-card scrum with Buffalo. A Jaguars loss keeps that door open.
Cardinals (3-10) at Texans (8-5), Sunday 1 p.m.
Who to root for: Cardinals
Houston owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over Buffalo and moved into playoff positioning just behind the Bills in the wild-card standings. Any Texans loss creates immediate breathing room.
Ravens (6-7) at Bengals (4-9), Sunday 1 p.m.
Who to root for: Bengals
Neither team is eliminated, but Baltimore remains the more realistic late-season threat.
Colts (8-5) at Seahawks (10-3), Sunday 4:25 p.m.
Who to root for: Seahawks
Indianapolis is the No. 8 seed and the first team currently out of the playoffs in the AFC. Philip Rivers, 44, was signed this week and will start at quarterback for the Colts.
Packers (9-3-1) at Broncos (11-2), Sunday 4:25 p.m.
Who to root for: Packers
Denver is battling for top seed in the AFC. A Broncos loss keeps the upper conference standings compressed, and preserves paths for Buffalo to climb.
Dolphins (6-7) at Steelers (7-6), Monday 8:15 p.m.
Who to root for: Toss-up
It may depend on the Bills outcome against the Patriots. If Buffalo beats New England, the Bills will still need help in the division race. Keeping Miami alive could give the Dolphins something to play for in their regular season finale with the Patriots.
The Bills own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Steelers and split the season series with the Dolphins.
Other games with indirect impact
These games don’t affect AFC playoff standings directly, but SOS/SOV effects matter. Each of these matchups provides slight boosts to Buffalo’s strength-of-victory or hurts the SOV of other AFC contenders.
Falcons (4-9) at Buccaneers (7-7), Thursday, 8:15 p.m.
Who to root for: Buccaneers
Score update: Falcons 29, Buccaneers 28
Browns (3-10) at Bears (9-4), Sunday, 1 p.m.
Who to root for: Bears
Raiders (2-11) at Eagles (8-5), Sunday, 1 p.m.
Who to root for: Eagles
Lions (8-5) at Rams (10-3), Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
Who to root for: Rams
Panthers (7-6) at Saints (3-10), Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
Who to root for: Saints
Titans (2-11) at 49ers (9-4), Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
Who to root for: 49ers
Vikings (5-8) at Cowboys (6-6-1), Sunday, 8:20 p.m.
Who to root for: Vikings
