The Bills are now quietly one of the NFL’s hottest teams after early hiccups
By Ryan Heckman
The 2022 season began with just about everybody thinking Super Bowl for this Buffalo Bills team. They were one of the trendiest Super Bowl bets for months on end.
But, something happened in early November. A mixture of an injury scare with Josh Allen and his elbow, plus a pair of crushing losses, had Bills fans wondering what the future would hold.
The Bills lost a close game in Week 9 to the New York Jets. But, what followed was utter heartbreak.
That loss to the Minnesota Vikings left a bad taste. It was a gut punch. Two straight losses was not what this Bills team needed, especially when looking to control AFC supremacy.
Yet, since that loss to Minnesota, Buffalo has turned a corner. Despite even losing Von Miller for the season, the Bills have become one of the NFL’s hottest teams.
AFC Playoff picture after 15 weeks:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 19, 2022
1) Bills: 11-3
2) Chiefs: 11-3
3) Bengals: 10-4
4) Titans: 7-7
5) Ravens: 9-5
6) Chargers: 8-6
7) Dolphins: 8-6
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Patriots: 7-7
Jets: 7-7
Jaguars: 6-8
Raiders: 6-8
Browns: 6-8
Steelers: 6-8
The Buffalo Bills currently own the NFL’s third-longest winning streak having won five in a row.
Since losing a pair, back to back, the Bills are now winners of five games straight. Only the San Francisco 49ers (seven games) and Cincinnati Bengals (six games) have won more.
Speaking of those Bengals, that might be the team Buffalo needs to look out for. Of course, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are their biggest threat. But, the Bengals are suddenly rolling after a comeback win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — a comeback that turned into a convincing, statement win.
After taking on the Chicago Bears this Saturday on Christmas Eve, the Bills will travel to Cincinnati on January 2 to take on Joe Burrow and the Bengals. With just one game separating the two teams and the Bengals currently 10-4, this game is a pivotal one when it comes to AFC seeding.
If the Bills can win that game, they would almost certainly be locked into the number one seed in the AFC and will have secured a bye week. The only team to worry about from there on out is Kansas City.
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In Week 18, the Bills take on the New England Patriots, and the Chiefs play Las Vegas. Again, as it’s been for a couple of weeks now, the Bills control their own destiny. If they win out, then they secure that coveted bye week.