Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills tightened the gap just a bit in the AFC East on Sunday thanks to a 39-34 comeback win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium.
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The Bills kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the afternoon, especially in the second half. After being down 10 points at halftime, the Bills made their second-half adjustments and were able to pull out a much-needed victory.
It was Josh Allen offensively that helped keep the Bills in the contest, as he accounted for four total touchdowns, while accounting for 329 total yards of offense.
However, it was the defense turning the tide in the fourth quarter with a pair of huge plays.
First, it was cornerback Christian Benford coming up on a blitz and picking off Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, returning it 63 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. It was the second-straight game where Benford recorded a defensive touchdown.
The Bills defense continued to shine the very next drive with another interception of Burrow, this time by defensive end A.J. Epenesa after defensive tackle Jordan Phillips was able to get a hand on a pass.
Buffalo then put the game out of reach on the ensuing offensive possession thanks to a touchdown pass from Allen to rookie tight end Jackson Hawes.
With the win, the Bills are now 9-4 heading into the final four games of the regular season, and have a 98% chance of making the playoffs, according to the New York Times Playoff Machine.
However, their odds of winning the AFC East remain at just 8% ahead of their pivotal matchup with the New England Patriots this coming Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
The Patriots enter the contest at 11-2 in the division, and will be coming in fresh out of their bye week. With a win over the Bills on Sunday, not only will the Patriots clinch a playoff berth, but also capture the AFC East for the first time since the 2019 season. It would also end Buffalo's reign atop the division, ending a five-year streak.
Drake Maye has become a star in the NFL this season, having an MVP-like season in his second year with over 3,400 passing yards and 25 total touchdowns.
Meanwhile, rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson has also emerged as the team's leading rusher with Rhamondre Stevenson having been in-and-out of the lineup due to injuries.
As for former Bills wideout Stefon Diggs, he has become New England's top target for Maye, similar to what he did for Allen back in 2020, accounting for 705 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The Patriots' defense is no joke either, allowing the fifth-fewest points per-game in the league and the seventh-fewest yards per-game. The only part of the defense that has lacked for the Patriots is the red zone defense, allowing the most points.
With four games left in the 2025 season and only trailing by two games in the AFC East, does Howard Simon believe the Bills can run the table and somehow win the AFC East for a sixth-straight season?
In the Week 15 edition of "Howard Picks the Bills", Howard does believe Buffalo can still win the division, or at least keep the Patriots honest in the final quarter of the season.
With the Bills beating the Patriots this Sunday and then beating the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets, that would put the Bills at 13-4 to finish the season for a second-straight year.
Be sure to follow along on X, formerly known as Twitter, for the latest picks from Howard by using the hashtag #HowardPicksTheBills. You can also track all of Howard's picks throughout the season with Brayton Wilson's picks tracker on X: @BraytonJWilson.
You can listen to, as well as watch the latest edition of "Howard Picks the Bills" below: