The Buffalo Bills have a challenging matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. The team wants to keep pace with its counterparts in the second half of the season as it heads towards the playoffs.
With Carson Wentz set to start at quarterback for the Vikings, he brings his big frame and pocket-passing talent. He hasn't played since Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, but he led the Vikings to a win.
The Bills will seek revenge for their 2022 loss, which came in overtime after a spectacular catch by wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the 4th quarter to keep Minnesota's drive alive. The team also wants to keep pace to remain atop the AFC East and stay the No. 1 seed in the AFC as the playoff picture takes shape.
Let's take a look at four AFC teams that could contend with the Bills as the regular season heads into its final stretch.
4 teams Bills need to stay ahead of in 2026
1.) Jacksonville Jaguars
The Bills defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in a rock-fought 27-24 thriller in last year's AFC Wild Card Playoff game. Because that game was so close, should Bills fans be cautious and assume the Jags might be back as AFC contenders if they play again this season?
The Jags roster is talented, but if the Bills end up winning this potential matchup, they can count on Liam Coen to once again show questionable late-game management. With Jacksonville beating the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, they remain close to the Bills in the AFC standings.
2.) Kansas City Chiefs
The Bills are 0-4 against the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs, but that could change if the Bills continue to defeat them in the regular season.
Gone are the days of the 13-second defense the Bills under Sean McDermott put out. That allowed Harrison Butker to kick a game-tying field goal and set up Travis Kelce's game-winning touchdown in overtime, helping the Chiefs prevail 42-36.
Now, the Bills have installed a new aggressive defense under first-year defensive coordinator Jim Leonard that is a nightmare to run the ball against. If the Bills' defense can pressure Patrick Mahomes, the Bills may finally be 1-4 against the Chiefs in the playoffs if they face each other.
3.) New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are on this list due to the Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye show they have going on over there in Foxborough. Last year, the Patriots ended the Bills' reign and won the AFC East Title by two games, and are still looking to do that after defeating the Bills 29-26 in Orchard Park in Week 4 this year.
But this Patriots team has more flaws than last year, and they face a tougher regular-season schedule. Plus, the Bills are much better now than they were the last time these two teams met, and the Bills could beat them when they meet at Gillette Stadium in December.
4.) Denver Broncos
The Bills and the Denver Broncos meet on Christmas Day at 4:00 pm with holiday spirit in the air and their pads at the Mile High. This will be a revenge game for their 33-30 overtime loss in last year's AFC Divisional playoff game.
It will be a battle between the Broncos' established defense and the Bills' fantastic offensive scheme. Both teams will lean on their strengths in this anticipated matchup.
If the Bills want to win this game, they will literally have to play all four quarters, as the Broncos love to sleepwalk through the first three and then make a comeback by playing a whole dominant fourth quarter.
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