The Buffalo Bills are going to the playoffs, but the playoffs aren't coming to Buffalo. This one, final game at the current Highmark Stadium is set to draw as many tears as cheers, but not ones shed for football. Week 18 has arrived, the Bills host the Jets, and there are predictions to be made.
Prediction #1 - James Cook, Rushing King
In a relatively insignificant Week 18 game, with a playoff spot secure, no great height in reach, and many injuries which need to be managed, the Buffalo Bills run game was always going to be a focus. They've leaned on it all season, and it will be all they do until Wild Card Weekend arrives.
James Cook is in the running for the NFL's 2025 rushing title. His league-leading 1606 rushing yards are 47 ahead of the second-place Jonathan Taylor, and 137 ahead of the third-place Derrick Henry. The battle is his to lose, but he'll need to defend himself.
Taylor plays before the Bills, so we enter the Jets game with the information we need: How many total rushing yards are needed to retake the lead?
Derrick Henry remains a contender, facing the Steelers on Sunday Night Football with the AFC North crown on the line. The 137-yard cushion isn't much with Henry on your heels- James Cook will need to add to that to win his title.
Jonathan Taylor has averaged 97.4 yards per game this season. Derrick Henry ran for a season-best 216 yards and 4 touchdowns just last week. To beat another of each of those feats, Cook needs 50 yards or 79 yards, respectively. We believe Cook will get that done, and maybe some more.
Prediction #2 - A Lopsided Clock
The Buffalo Bills are a run-first team. That much has been the topic of the offense all season, and now into the postseason. Their average time of possession is second-best in the NFL. A gameplan which feeds James Cook and the other RBs the ball as much as possible, and keeps Josh Allen safe in the process, naturally generates a notable clock disparity.
The Jets are one of the NFL's worst possession teams. Their inability to string together drives, regardless of who plays at quarterback, is just one of many issues the New Jersey franchise faced this season. With a premium draft pick within reach, the Jets don't care to fix it this week.
Prediction #3 - Final score
Buffalo runs the final home game at Highmark Stadium into the record books with a James Cook masterpiece. It won't be high-flying, outrageous, or even that significant. It will, however, matter. For Bills fans everywhere, they go out with a win.