The Buffalo Bills knew if they did their part in beating the Cleveland Browns, then they could head into the Christmas holiday with a spot in the NFL playoffs secured. They just needed some help, but they didn’t find any on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and New England Patriots all won their games, hurting Buffalo’s seeding and keeping them without a secure spot in the postseason. Thankfully, though, on Monday night, the San Francisco 49ers came through and beat the Indianapolis Colts, securing the Bills’ spot in the 2025 NFL Playoffs.
It’s all but over in Indianapolis, which means:
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 23, 2025
The Jaguars, Bills and Chargers are about to clinch playoff spots.
The Colts — who started 7-1 — aren’t officially eliminated yet, but they're on the ropes.
And the depleted 49ers somehow are 11-4.
pic.twitter.com/83C2xioBqs
The Bills will still be the 6-seed heading into Week 17, where a date with the NFC’s current 3-seed, the Philadelphia Eagles, awaits. Buffalo then closes the regular season against the hapless 3-win New York Jets. Those games could still play a factor in the Bills' seeding or even their chance at winning the AFC East, though outside factors still play a role.
Buffalo Bills playoff spot locked in with seeding still in flux
Buffalo can still win the AFC East. They must win their final two games against the Eagles and Jets, though the Patriots must lose to either the Jets or the Miami Dolphins. Naturally, if the Bills and Patriots win out, then Buffalo can’t be seeded higher than 5, which would force them to play a road game in the Wild Card round.
However, if the Bills do win the AFC East, then they will be in play for the 1-3 seeds. To get the 1-seed, Buffalo needs to win out, and for the Patriots, Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos to each lose at least one game in the final two weeks.
If the Patriots win out or Buffalo is otherwise settled into a Wild Card spot, they can get the 5-seed with a Chargers loss. L.A. currently holds a tiebreaker by way of winning percentage versus conference opponents, but should they lose one of their final two games against the Houston Texans this week or the Denver Broncos in the regular season finale, Buffalo will get the 5-seed and face the AFC North champion in their stadium.
READ MORE: Dan Orlovsky identifies AFC quarterback capable of matching Josh Allen in postseason
If the Bills, Patriots, and Chargers win out, Buffalo gets the 6-seed and will face the 3-seed, which would be the AFC South champion.
Of course, if the Bills lose, either to the Eagles or Jets, Buffalo could fit in anywhere between the 5 and 7 seeds. While Buffalo doesn’t completely control their seeding with a loss, they do get a little help with the AFC West and South still being open with the Chargers and Texans squaring off before those divisions are settled.
Nonetheless, the Bills’ spot is secured. Regardless of how the chips fall over the course of the next two weeks, the Bills have checked off the most vital goal of the season, giving themselves a chance to make a run at playing in Super Bowl LX.