The Buffalo Bills got close to that goal last week. This week, they can get the job done.
Buffalo’s come-from-behind victory over the New England Patriots in Week 15 put them in contention for the AFC East title and all but sealed a playoff spot.
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Buffalo can clinch a playoff spot in Week 16 with a win, a loss to the Houston Texans or a loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Doing so would give the Bills some breathing room down the stretch and keep the pressure on the Patriots in the divisional race.
This is the player Bills fans should root for in Week 16.
Bills (10-4) vs. Browns (3-11), Sunday, 1 p.m.
Who to cheer for: bill
Buffalo must win or tie to activate any key scenario. A win puts the Bills firmly in the playoff picture and opens the door to clinching a spot heading into the final two weeks.
Chargers (10-4) at Cowboys (6-7-1), Sunday, 1 p.m.
Who to cheer for: cowboys
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Los Angeles is the fifth seed, ahead of sixth-place Buffalo. A loss to the Chargers will help Buffalo move up the standings and improve in the standings. The Chargers currently beat the Bills in the tiebreaker due to the better league record.
Raiders (2-12) at Texans (9-5), Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
Who to cheer for: Strategy
Houston trailed only Buffalo in the wild-card round and had a shot at the outright tiebreaker. A loss for the Texans combined with a win for the Bills will ensure Buffalo a playoff spot by Sunday night.
Patriots (11-3) at Ravens (7-7), Sunday, 8:20 p.m.
Who to cheer for: Ravens
The Bills remain in the AFC East race. A loss to the Patriots will give Buffalo more room for error in the final two weeks. A Patriots loss to a division rival — the Dolphins or Jets — is more important in the final two weeks.
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49ers (10-4) at Colts (8-6), Monday at 8:15 p.m.
Who to cheer for: 49ers
Indianapolis is another team that can prevent Buffalo from locking up a playoff spot this week. If the Bills win on Sunday and the Colts lose on Monday, the Bills will clinch a playoff spot. Philip Rivers, 44, will start his second straight game for Indianapolis.
Jaguars (10-4) at Broncos (12-2), Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
Who to cheer for: jaguars
Denver is the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but Buffalo still has a chance to leapfrog the Broncos.
Other games with indirect effects
These games won’t directly impact the AFC playoff standings, but the SOS/SOV effect is important. Each of these matchups slightly bolstered Buffalo’s winning strength or hurt the SOV of other AFC contenders.
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Rams (11-3) at Seahawks (11-3), Thursday, 8:15 p.m.
Who supports: Tossing
renew: Seattle wins 38-37
Eagles (9-5) at Commander (4-10), Saturday, 5 p.m.
Who to support: Eagles
Packers (9-4-1) at Bears (10-4), Saturday, 8:20 p.m.
Who supports: Tossing
Buccaneers (7-7) at Panthers (7-7), Sunday, 1 p.m.
Who to support: Buccaneers
Jets (3-11) at Saints (4-10), Sunday, 1 p.m.
Who to support: Jets
Vikings (6-8) at Giants (2-12), Sunday, 1 p.m.
Who supports: Tossing
Chiefs (6-8) vs. Titans (2-12). Sunday 1pm
Who to support: Chief
Bengals (4-10) at Dolphins (6-8), Sunday, 1 p.m.
Who supports: Tossing
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Falcons (5-9) at Cardinals (3-11), Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
Who supports: Tossing
Steelers (8-6) at Lions (8-6), Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
Who supports: Tossing
This article originally appeared in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills fundamentals Week 16: How Buffalo can win the playoffs