We have finally figured out the fate of the NFL postseason, its contestants and the matchups. For the Buffalo Bills, Week 18 ended as good as it could have considering the Chiefs beat Las Vegas on Saturday.
First, the Bills’ matchup with the New England Patriots was an opportunity for Buffalo to not only clinch the no. 2 seed in the AFC, but to also send Bill Belichick packing.
That’s exactly what they did with a 35-23 victory over the Patriots — sweeping the season series with New England.
The Patriots go home early and miss the postseason — ah, yes. It’s a beautiful sight to see.
Now, where do the Bills go from here?
The Buffalo Bills will play on Wildcard weekend, hosting a familiar foe in the Miami Dolphins.
Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins will be coming up to the brisk, Western New York once again this year only this time, it’s win or go home. Buffalo will host Miami this weekend, just a few weeks after squeaking out a victory over Tua Tagovailoa and company.
Buffalo won the last matchup 32-29, while the Dolphins beat the Bills early on this season 21-19.
One of the biggest differences in this one could be an absence of Tua, whom Mike McDaniel refused to specify a status on for the playoffs.
“We’ll take it day by day. And I will not think about any game — whether this year or next year — until he’s fully ready. And that will require medical clearance,” McDaniel said.
Tua’s season was a phenomenal breakout year, but it was also stained by two scary concussions. Because of those concussions, his immediate future is in question, but some also wonder if his long-term future should also be in question.
Nonetheless, the Bills will get an opportunity to break the 1-1 tie between the two teams this weekend.
As for other AFC Wildcard matchups, the no. 6 seed Baltimore Ravens play at the no. 3 seed Cincinnati Bengals in another division rivalry playoff game. Then, the no. 4 seed Jacksonville Jaguars will host the no. 5 seed Los Angeles Chargers.
Kansas City earns the bye week, of course, and if the Chiefs and Bills were to meet in the Championship Game, that game will be played at a neutral site in a historical decision by the league.