The Buffalo Bills head into their bye week in a good spot at 4-1. An ESPN-owned analytics platform, FiveThirtyEight.com, gives Buffalo the fourth highest odds to make the playoffs in the National Football League.
Their strength of schedule will continue to fall in favor of Buffalo as seven games left on the schedule are against teams below .500, five of which are against teams without even one win.
With key injuries at quarterback to many expected AFC playoff contenders (Jaguars' Nick Foles, Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, and Jets' Sam Darnold) and many disappointing starts for others, the once loaded conference doesn't seem to have as many serious threats to push the Bills.
Who are those teams left that could keep Buffalo from playing into January?
Fans took to Twitter for Tuesday's late night discussion to give their two-cents:
Before the season, it appeared the AFC had as many as 12 teams that, at least on paper, looked like potential contenders. Now, there might be seven or eight.
The Bills are in a great spot right now. The correct answer likely is they are their own worst enemy.
However, the two teams that will push Buffalo the most are the Chargers and the Colts.
The Chargers are just too talented to continue their mediocre play. They also will get a top-tier player back from injury in safety Derwin James down the stretch.
The Colts are run by, what should be, the Coach of the Year favorite in Frank Reich. Despite the retirement of quarterback Andrew Luck, Reich has Indianapolis in every game, regardless of the opponent.
If Cleveland found a way to turn it around, the Browns or Ravens are serious threats that the Bills play head to head. However, Cleveland's offensive issues run deep and they don't have a proven core that has overcome adversity in the past.