Win and In

The Bills head into week 18 of the season, still unsure of both their divisional and their playoff fate. Since falling to 6-6, the Bills have gotten red hot, winners of four straight and have clawed their back into being a Super Bowl favorite. As is stands, the Bills have the third best odds to win the Super Bowl, which is very interesting considering they are not even in the playoffs yet. So, what has to happen this weekend to get them in.

The simplest way to get in is to win. If the Bills can beat the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday night, they will clinch the AFC East for the fourth year in a row and lock up the number 2 seed in the AFC. This would assure the Bills at least two home games (assuming they win the first) and a much easiest path to get deeper into the playoffs. I like this plan the most, let’s hope they choose this one.

If the Bills lose to the Dolphins, they will need some help to get them in. They will need either the Steelers or the Jaguars to lose to ensure the Bills get a wildcard berth. The Steelers play on Saturday afternoon, on the road against the Ravens. The Ravens, who will not be playing Lamar Jackson and some other starters, have essentially nothing to play for. So let’s hope that the Ravens backups can step up and win this rivalry game for us.

The Jaguars also go on the road to the Tennessee Titans and it is still very up in the air if Trevor Lawrence will be able to give it a go. If he is not, backup CJ Beathard will again play QB for the Jags. With Mike Vrable as a coach I don’t see the Titans quitting here, they will give it all they have to play spoiler and hopefully help the Bills chances.

The final way that they Bills can sneak their way in is with a Colts and Texans tie, but I don’t know how likely that is.

To make it simple, win and in, and then there is nothing else to worry about. The Bills will know if they are in for sure or not before kickoff on Sunday, but with the Division on the line against the rival Dolphins, I don’t think that it changes anything in their mentality.

We all remember the last time our playoff hopes came down to the final week…