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Who will Bills play in NFL playoffs? Scenarios, potential wild card matchups for Buffalo

jacob camenker, usa today
·4 min read

This story has been updated with new information

The Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC East and playoff berth long ago, but now, they finally know what seed they will be in the NFL playoffs.

The Bills beat the New York Jets 40-14 in their Week 17 meeting. That allowed Buffalo to clinch the AFC's No. 2 seed and set the Bills up to play at home – at least until the AFC championship game.

Buffalo had originally hoped to catch the Kansas City Chiefs in the race for the No. 1 seed after beating Kansas City head-to-head in Week 11. However, the Chiefs clinched the top seed on Christmas, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers to improve to 15-1.

As a result, the Bills settled for the No. 2 seed. The good news is that Buffalo wrapped it up ahead of its Week 18 game against the New England Patriots. That will allow the Bills to rest their starters and prepare for their wild-card playoff game.

Who will the Bills play in the postseason? Buffalo must wait until Week 18 to determine which team it will face in the wild-card round.

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Who will the Bills play in playoffs?

The Bills need to win just one of their last two games to clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They were able to do that and will face the AFC's No. 7 seed, which can only be one of four possible teams. They are as follows:

The Indianapolis Colts were originally in the mix for the No. 7 seed, but they were eliminated from playoff contention by virtue of their loss to the New York Giants.

The final spot in the AFC playoff picture won't be clinched until Week 18, so the Bills must wait to see who they will officially play.

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Bills playoff scenarios

Below is a look at the Bills' chances of playing each potential first-round opponent.

Denver Broncos

The Bills will face the Broncos if either of the following outcomes occur:

  • The Broncos win or tie against the Chiefs in Week 18;

  • The Dolphins lose one of their final two games AND the Bengals lose to the Steelers in Week 18

Miami Dolphins

The Bills will play against the Dolphins if the following happens:

  • The Dolphins win their final two games;

  • The Broncos lose to the Chiefs in Week 18.

Cincinnati Bengals

Here's a look at what needs to happen for the Bills to play the Bengals in the No. 2 vs. No. 7 matchup:

  • The Bengals must beat the Steelers in Week 18;

  • The Dolphins must lose or tie one of their final two games;

  • The Broncos must lose to the Chiefs in Week 18.

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NFL playoff schedule

The NFL playoffs kick off on Jan. 11 with the league's Super Wild Card Weekend before concluding on Feb. 9 with Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.

Super Wild Card weekend

All times Eastern

Saturday, Jan. 11

  • AFC/NFC wild card game: 1 p.m.

  • AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.

  • AFC/NFC wild card game: 8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 12

  • AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.

  • AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 13

  • AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 18

  • AFC/NFC divisional game: 4:30 p.m.

  • AFC/NFC division game: 8:15 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 19

  • AFC/NFC divisional game: 3 p.m.

  • AFC/NFC divisional game: 6:30 p.m.

NFL conference championship round

Sunday, Jan. 26

  • NFC championship game: 3 p.m.

  • AFC championship game: 6:30 p.m.

Super Bowl 59

  • Date: Feb. 9, 2025

  • Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)

  • Time: 6:30 p.m.

  • TV: FOX

NFL playoff picture

Below is a look at the NFL playoff picture with most of Week 17 in the books:

AFC

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winners, No. 1 seed)*

  2. Buffalo Bills (13-3, AFC East winners)*

  3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5, AFC North leaders)*

  4. Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winners)*

  5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, wild card No. 1)*

  6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, wild card No. 2)*

  7. Denver Broncos (9-7, wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Cincinnati Bengals (8-8), Miami Dolphins (7-8).

NFC

  1. Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North leaders)*

  2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, NFC East leaders)*

  3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6, NFC West leaders)

  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7, NFC South leaders)

  5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2, wild card No. 1)*

  6. Green Bay Packers (11-4, wild card No. 2)

  7. Washington Commanders (10-5, wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (8-7), Atlanta Falcons (8-7)

An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff spot. Teams that have clinched division titles are noted accordingly.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who will Bills play in playoffs? Breaking down scenarios for wild card