While the Buffalo Bills' postseason status is not something NFL fans typically have to wonder about, who they might face is.
The Bills' five-year control of the AFC East came to an end this season, as the New England Patriots captured the division title. Despite Buffalo's 11-5 record heading into Week 18, they're the No. 7 seed in the AFC conference standings.
Josh Allen and James Cook III were the engines of this team all season. If the Bills were to make it to Super Bowl 60, there's little doubt it would be on the shoulders of those two.
Before the Bills Mafia can think about the Super Bowl, they'll have to face an opponent in the Wild-Card round.
The Bills have several potential playoff opponents. AllSportsPeople breaks down all of the scenarios.
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NFL playoff bracket 2026
Who will the Bills play in the playoffs?
While the Bills have secured a spot in the postseason, their final seeding is yet to be determined. This would ultimately decide who Buffalo would face in the Wild-Card round.
Heading into Week 18, the Bills have a shot at the No. 5, No. 6 and No. 7 seeds in the AFC.
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New England Patriots
As it stands, heading into Week 18, the Bills would face off against their division rival, the Patriots. These two organizations met twice this season and split the series, each winning once.
In Week 15, Buffalo erased a 21-point deficit against New England in Foxborough. If everything holds in Week 18, we'll get this matchup for a third time this season.
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Denver Broncos
If the Patriots jump the Broncos for the top seed in the AFC and Buffalo does not move, the Bills would face Denver in the Wild-Card round.
This would provide a rematch of a playoff matchup from a year ago, in which the Bills defeated the Broncos.
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Jacksonville Jaguars
If the Bills can jump the Los Angeles Chargers for the No. 6 seed and the Jags win the AFC South in Week 18, they would face one another in the Wild-Card round.
This requires a Jags win, a Bills win and a Chargers loss in Week 18.
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Winner of the AFC North
The AFC North is up for grabs in Week 18 as the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will play each other for the honors. If the Bills can manage to jump two spots and get the No. 5 seed, they'd face the AFC North champion in the Wild-Card round.
This requires a Texans loss, Chargers loss and Bills win in Week 18.
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Houston Texans
If the Texans win the AFC South and Buffalo gets the No. 6 seed, they would meet in the Wild-Card round.
This would require a Jags loss, a Texans win, a Bills win and a Chargers loss in Week 18.
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Eliminated opponents
Los Angeles Chargers
Because the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots won their respective divisions, the Bills and Chargers cannot get a seed higher than No. 5.
As a result, these two teams will not face each other in the Wild-Card round.
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Indianapolis Colts
After starting the season as potential Super Bowl contenders, the Colts have been eliminated from the playoffs.
Once starting quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending injury, the team struggled to grab wins down the stretch.
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Loser of Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Whoever loses this game in Week 18 will not only lose the division title but also a playoff spot.
There is a strong chance that the winner of Ravens vs. Steelers will face the Bills in the Wild-Card round, while the loser stays home.
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