Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills kept their playoff hopes well in tact this past Sunday with a win over the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium.
While Buffalo did not secure, at least, a Wild Card spot in the AFC standings on Sunday, their odds at making the playoffs currently sit at 95%, according to the New York Times Playoff Machine.
However, there is a chance the Bills could have a playoff spot clinched before their key Sunday night showdown with the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium un South Florida.
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If either the Pittsburgh Steelers lose to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. EST, the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts happen to tie in their regular season finale on Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. EST, or the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. EST, it will give the Bills their fifth-straight playoff berth.
However, if the Steelers and Jaguars both win their games and there's no tie between the Texans and Colts, it will make Sunday's matchup with the Dolphins a must-win for the Bills in order to advance to the postseason. If the Bills lose in Miami and this scenario plays out beforehand, it would eliminate Buffalo from playoff contention.
If the Bills happen to beat the Dolphins, regardless of the previous outcomes, Buffalo will not only officially capture a fourth-straight AFC East title, but also secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture.
The highest seed the Bills would be able to secure with some help around the league if they lose Sunday to the Dolphins would be the 6-seed and a Wild Card Round trip to Kansas City to face the Chiefs. That happens if the Steelers and Jaguars both lose their Week 18 matchups, or the Steelers lose and the Texans and Colts tie.
If the Bills lose and one of either the Steelers or Jaguars lose their Week 18 matchups, Buffalo would secure the 7-seed in the AFC standings and head back to Miami for a rematch with the Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card Round.
As for the Dolphins, they already secured their playoff berth in Week 16 with a win over the Dallas Cowboys. No matter their outcome with the Bills on Sunday night, they will still compete in the playoffs.
If they lose to Buffalo, however, they will officially lock up the 6-seed and travel to Kansas City and take on the Chiefs.
Kickoff for Sunday night's AFC East battle is set for 8:20 p.m. EST on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.
