5 Scenarios Where the Buffalo Bills Can Clinch the Playoffs in Week 17

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By John Galletley | Last updated Dec 27, 2023 12:27 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills have had a remarkable turnaround in the 2023 NFL season. At one point, they had a 6-6 record and looked like they were going to miss the playoffs. Since then, they have won their last three games.

As a result, the Bills are 9-6 and have a real shot at making the playoffs now. So, what do the Buffalo Bills have to do to clinch a spot by the end of Week 17? Here are the five most likely scenarios to get them in the playoffs.

1. BUF win + PIT loss or tie + CIN loss or tie

All of these scenarios are going to involve the Buffalo Bills taking care of business against the New England Patriots in Week 17. Considering they are 12-point favorites, you would think Buffalo is likely going to win that game.

In this first scenario, they need two other things to happen. The Pittsburgh Steelers have to lose to the Seattle Seahawks. Also, the Cincinnati Bengals have to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, we will see these two teams come up in all of the following scenarios as well.

2. BUF win + PIT loss or tie + JAX loss or tie

The second scenario covers two of the results we talked about above. The only thing different here is that the Jacksonville Jaguars would have to lose in this scenario. Considering they have a home game against the lowly 2-13 Carolina Panthers in Week 17, this might not be reasonable to expect.

3. BUF win + PIT loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie

This particular scenario involves more things having to happen for the Bills. Besides a Buffalo win and Pittsburgh loss, they need the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts to lose their games. Is this reasonable to expect?

The Texans play the Tennessee Titans in Week 17. On top of this, they have a good chance of getting their rookie phenom C.J. Stroud back after dealing with a concussion. As for the Colts, they host the Raiders, who are coming off of two big AFC West division wins.

4. BUF win + CIN loss or tie + JAX loss or tie

Next, we have a similar scenario to the second one discussed above. The only difference in this one is that it has the Bengals instead of the Steelers. Given how the Chiefs have looked as of late along with who the Jaguars are playing, it would be surprising if this is the scenario that gets the Bills to the playoffs.

5. BUF win + CIN loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie

Finally, we are essentially replacing the Steelers in the third scenario with the Bengals. This may arguably be easier than the fourth scenario considering who the Jaguars are playing this week. However, it adds an extra layer to an already difficult playoff scenario to play out.