Buffalo Bills News: Chiefs barely escape, Patriots game now monumental

Entering Sunday, the Bills were still atop the AFC with a record of 12-3. The number one seed was firmly in their grasp and destiny was in their hands.

Fans had a glimmer of hope, though, that the Kansas City Chiefs would make things a bit easier on them in their matchup with the Denver Broncos.

In the third quarter of that game, the Broncos even went up on the Chiefs when the score was 17-13 off an Albert Okwuegbunam touchdown from Russell Wilson. From there, the Chiefs bounced back and went up by 10, 27-17.

With just over 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Broncos drove 75 yards down the field and scored to make it 27-24, however they were helped out by a pair of Chiefs penalties on that drive — one that took away a Kansas City interception off of Wilson. Speaking of Wilson, it was his 4-yard rushing touchdown that brought the Broncos within three.

Kansas City was forced to punt on their following possession, giving Denver plenty of time left to score (over six minutes). Yet, the Broncos turned it over on downs and that was the game. The Chiefs escaped with a 3-point win over Denver, staying tied in the loss column with Buffalo.

The Chiefs’ win gives them the number 1 seed temporarily, while the Patriots now have the most important game of the season next week against the Bills.

Aside from the Chiefs pulling it out, it was the New England Patriots who also won and stayed alive in the AFC playoff picture.

It was a lower scoring game between Miami and New England, while the former was without Tua Tagovailoa in this one. The Patriots did just enough, though, to beat Miami by a slim margin, 23-21.

The victory brought New England to an even 8-8 on the season, and they now control their postseason destiny, like the Bills.

If the Patriots beat Buffalo next week, they’re in. That’s it. All they have to do is beat the Bills and they’re in the postseason. For Buffalo, that game could very well mean the number 1 seed in the AFC.

If Buffalo can take down the Bengals on Monday Night Football, then they’ll continue to stay atop the conference with a tiebreaker over the Chiefs. That Week 18 matchup within the AFC East could make or break some playoff dreams for both franchises, now.