Bills' updated outlook in AFC East, wild card going into Week 15 vs. Patriots

Mike Moraitis

Bills' updated outlook in AFC East, wild card going into Week 15 vs. Patriots image

The Buffalo Bills managed to gain at least some ground in the AFC East following their Week 14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

The win came on the same week that the New England Patriots, who are in first place, were on a bye, which allowed Buffalo to move a half game closer in the division.

But, with four games left to play, the Bills are still facing an uphill climb to win the division, although their outlook is much better in the wild card.

Here's an updated look at where the Bills sit in the AFC East and wild-card standings as they prepare for a crucial showdown against the Patriots.

AFC East standings

1. New England Patriots (11-2)

2. Buffalo Bills (9-4)

3. Miami Dolphins (6-7)

4. New York Jets (3-10)

According to the New York Times Playoff Simulator, the Bills enter Week 15 with an 11% chance to win the division, so it's looking bleak.

If the Patriots beat the Bills on Sunday, New England will clinch the division thanks to owning the head-to-head tie-breaker.

If the Bills can knock off the Pats, Buffalo will remain alive in the AFC East but New England will still control its own destiny.

AFC wild-card standings

RankTeamRecord
5Los Angeles Chargers9-4
6Buffalo Bills9-4
7Houston Texans8-5
8Indianapolis Colts8-5
9Kansas City Chiefs6-7
10Baltimore Ravens6-7
11Miami Dolphins6-7
12Cincinnati Bengals4-9
13New York Jets (eliminated)3-10
14Cleveland Browns (eliminated)3-10
15Las Vegas Raiders (eliminated)2-11
16Tennessee Titans (eliminated)2-11

While their AFC East chances are slim, the Bills do have a 98% chance to make the playoffs because of the wild card.

Buffalo did fall one spot after the Chargers' win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, though, but they're still in great shape.

The good news is, when it comes to the teams on the outside looking in for a wild-card spot, the Bills' biggest threat is the Indianapolis Colts, who just lost Daniel Jones for the season and are now hoping to sign Philip Rivers.

The Colts have a brutal schedule over the last four weeks, with Indy having games against the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Texans.

Bills remaining schedule

WeekOpponent
15at Patriots
16at Browns
17vs. Eagles
18vs. Jets

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Editorial Team