Who will the Bills play in the playoffs? Breakdown of wildcard scenarios

This story has been updated with new information

The Buffalo Bills have secured their spot in the AFC East and the playoffs a long time ago, but now they finally know who will be seeded in the NFL playoffs.

The Bills defeated the New York Jets 40-14 in their Week 17 meeting. This allowed Buffalo to secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC and prepare the Bills for home games – at least until the AFC Championship Game.

Buffalo had originally hoped to catch up with the Kansas City Chiefs in the race for the No. 1 seed after a straight-up win over Kansas City in Week 11. However, the Chiefs secured first place on Christmas, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers to improve 15-1.

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

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Who will the Bills play in the postseason? Buffalo will have to 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 the playoffs?

The Bills just need to win one of their final two games to secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They did that and face the No. 7 seed in the AFC, which can only be one of four possible teams. They are as follows:

The Indianapolis Colts were originally in the running for the No. 7 seed, but were eliminated from playoff contention due to their loss to the New York Giants.

The final spot in the AFC playoffs won’t be determined until Week 18, so the Bills will have to wait and see who they’ll 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 any of the following results occur:

The Broncos win or draw against the Chiefs in Week 18;
The Dolphins lose one of their last two games AND the Bengals lose to the Steelers in Week 18

Miami Dolphins

The Bills will play the Dolphins if the following happens:

The Dolphins win their last 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 Game #2 vs. #7:

The Bengals must beat the Steelers in Week 18;
The Dolphins must lose or draw one of their last two games.
The Broncos are coming off a loss to the Chiefs in Week 18.

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NFL playoff schedule

The NFL playoffs begin Jan. 11 with the league’s Super Wild Card Weekend and end Feb. 9 with Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.

Great Wild Card weekend

Always east

Saturday, January 11th

AFC/NFC wildcard game: 1 p.m
AFC/NFC wildcard game: 4:30 p.m
AFC/NFC wildcard game: 8 p.m

Sunday, January 12th

AFC/NFC wildcard game: 4:30 p.m
AFC/NFC wildcard game: 8:15 p.m

Monday, January 13th

AFC/NFC wildcard game: 8:15 p.m

Divisional round

Saturday, January 18th

AFC/NFC division game: 4:30 p.m
AFC/NFC division game: 8:15 p.m

Sunday, January 19th

AFC/NFC division game: 3 p.m
AFC/NFC division game: 6:30 p.m

NFL Conference Championship Round

Sunday, January 26th

NFC Championship Game: 3 p.m
AFC Championship Game: 6:30 p.m

Super Bowl 59

Date: February 9, 2025
Location: Caesar’s Superdome (New Orleans)
Time: 6:30 p.m
TV: FOX

NFL playoff image

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

AFC

Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winner, No. 1 seed)*
Buffalo Bills (13-3, AFC East winner)*
Baltimore Ravens (11-5, AFC North leaders)*
Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winner)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, Wild Card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, Wild Card No. 2)*
Denver Broncos (9-7, Wild Card No. 3)

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

NFC

Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North leaders)*
Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, NFC East leaders)*
Los Angeles Rams (10-6, NFC West leaders)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7, NFC South leaders)
Minnesota Vikings (13-2, Wild Card No. 1)*
Green Bay Packers (11-4, Wild Card No. 2)
Washington Commanders (10-5, Wildcard No. 3)

denotes teams that have secured a spot in the playoffs. Teams that have won division titles will be marked accordingly.

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Who will the Bills play in the playoffs? Breakdown of wildcard scenarios

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