Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - As the Buffalo Bills focus on playing the New England Patriots on Sunday, their path to the playoffs has become much more clear.
Just a few weeks ago, most sites that calculate NFL teams' playoff chances had the Bills pegged at below 20% to get into the postseason. But with the help of a three-game winning streak, they can actually clinch a berth this weekend with a win and a little help.
Here are the different scenarios that would secure a playoff spot for the Bills by the end of this weekend:
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + CIN loss or tie OR
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + JAX loss or tie OR
- BUF win + PIT loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie OR
- BUF win + CIN loss or tie + JAX loss or tie OR
- BUF win + CIN loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie OR
- BUF tie + PIT loss + CIN loss + JAX loss OR
- BUF tie + PIT loss + CIN loss + HOU loss or tie OR
- BUF tie + PIT loss + CIN loss + IND loss or tie OR
- BUF tie + PIT loss + JAX loss + HOU loss or tie OR
- BUF tie + PIT loss + JAX loss + IND loss or tie OR
- BUF tie + PIT loss + HOU loss + IND loss OR
- BUF tie + CIN loss + JAX loss + HOU loss or tie OR
- BUF tie + CIN loss + JAX loss + IND loss or tie OR
- BUF tie + CIN loss + HOU loss + IND loss
The Bills can't wrap up a spot this weekend if they lose to the Patriots, but also can't be eliminated before they play their Week 18 finale against the Miami Dolphins in South Florida.
The team held a walk-through on Wednesday, as the Bills begin preparations for their game against New England at Highmark Stadium. Prior to practice, they activated cornerback Kaiir Elam off Injured Reserve.
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Other than defensive ends Von Miller and Leonard Floyd, who both received veteran rest days (Floyd is also dealing with rib and wrist injuries), everyone on the active roster was a full participant.
Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and wide receiver Justin Shorter are still on Injured Reserve, and have not been activated to the 53-man roster yet.
The Bills have until Jan. 3 to activate Shorter, and Jan. 9 to activate Jones from Injured Reserve.
