NFL Wildcard Games Contenders: Buffalo Bills

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NFL Playoffs Contenders

Buffalo Bills 

As the Buffalo Bills prepare for the NFL Wildcard Games, they aim to capitalize on a healthy roster and strong offensive momentum. Despite losing their Week 18 matchup to the New England Patriots 23-16, the Bills prioritized preserving key players for the playoffs. 

With the No. 2 seed secured, the team will face the Denver Broncos home in the Wildcard round. This is a favorable matchup in NFL Wildcard betting against a rookie quarterback.

Key Players to Watch

Josh Allen remains the centerpiece of the Bills’ offense, but the team’s success will also depend heavily on the performance of their offensive line. Rested in Week 18, the unit has successfully established the Bills as a dual-threat offense, excelling in pass protection and run blocking. 

This cohesion has enabled Allen to perform at an MVP level and provided the offense with balance, a crucial factor in their pursuit of a Super Bowl berth.

Greg Rousseau and Matt Milano could play pivotal roles defensively. Rousseau’s ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks could alleviate concerns about the Bills’ inconsistent pass rush, a critical weakness during the regular season. 

Returning to form after injury, Milano has shown improved instincts and speed, which will be vital against playoff-caliber offenses. His resurgence could help solidify an inconsistent linebacking corps throughout the year.

Defensive Concerns

Despite their strengths, the Bills’ defense has exhibited vulnerabilities, particularly against the run and on third downs. During the regular season, Buffalo ranked near the bottom among playoff teams in yards allowed before and after contact per rush. 

Strong rushing attacks have exploited this inconsistency, making run defense a potential liability against teams committed to the ground game.

Additionally, the Bills’ third-down defense has faltered in recent weeks. Over their final four games, they allowed a 74.3% completion rate and nearly 10 yards per pass attempt on third downs, leaving the defense exposed in critical situations. While injuries in the secondary contributed to this decline, the unit must tighten up against potent playoff offenses.

Path to the AFC Championship

Buffalo’s opening matchup against the Broncos is ideal, as the Bills have excelled against rookie quarterbacks under head coach Sean McDermott. Denver’s offense, while promising, has struggled against playoff teams, losing six of seven games when facing full-strength opponents. Depending on the outcome, a win here would position the Bills for a divisional-round clash with the Ravens or Steelers.

If the Steelers upset the Ravens, the Bills could face a more favorable matchup in the Divisional round, potentially setting up an easier path to the AFC Championship. However, should Baltimore advance, Buffalo will face a rematch against the Ravens, a team that handed the Bills their most lopsided loss of the season. With both teams peaking offensively, this would likely be one of the postseason’s most compelling matchups.

The Kansas City Challenge

Buffalo will likely face the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs if it advances to the AFC Championship. The Chiefs, coming off a first-round bye, present a formidable challenge. Despite regular-season success, including a victory at Highmark Stadium earlier this year, Buffalo has struggled to overcome Kansas City in the playoffs. Beating the Chiefs in the postseason remains the final hurdle in Buffalo’s quest to reach its first Super Bowl since the early 1990s.