Could the Buffalo Bills make a push for the #1 Seed in the AFC?
Josh Allen did what he did best in Week 11 against the Chiefs; he became Superman and put the team on his back. Allen kept the ball out of Patrick Mahomes' hands late in the fourth quarter and capped the game with a 26-yard touchdown run to seal their ninth win and give the Chiefs their first loss.
This win not only puts the Bills at 9-2 on the year, it also puts Allen as the MVP frontrunner. However, the Bills still have a tough schedule down the line, with games against the 49ers, Rams, and Lions, and divisional opponents against the Patriots and Jets at the end of the season.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are vulnerable, especially with their injuries, and are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs. The team is still talented and will be desperately fighting.
The 49ers will do whatever they can to get running back Christian McCaffery involved. With McCaffery being so versatile, and with the defense struggling with stopping the run, this will be the Bills' number one player to target.
LA Rams
The Rams are a gritty team, as they've been giving all of their opponents hard times. With their division coming down to the wire, they'll give each one of their opponents a run for their money.
Especially with weapons like Cooper Kupp, Puka Nakua at wideout, and a versatile running back in Kyren Williams. This isn't even mentioning that Matthew Stafford is still slinging it at an elite level in his 16th NFL season.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are one of, if not the best team in the NFL. Grit and talent are two words to describe this team, as the culture in Detroit has probably been the best it's ever been. Combining that with the immense talent they hold, it will be a tough team to beat, especially on the road.
Whether it's Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery running the ball, Amon-Ra St. Brown running after the catch, or Jameson Williams beating the defense deep. Jared Goff is also playing some of his best football this season, not to mention the Lions' run defense has also been elite.
NY Jets and New England Patriots
The games against the Jets and Patriots will probably be a little closer than fans think. Divisional opponents always surprise one another, no matter how good or bad the teams are.
The Jets' season already seems like a lost cause, even with Aaron Rodgers under center. However, the Patriots are starting to raise the rankings a little bit.
Drake Maye is steadily improving every week, showing star potential with his strong arm and mobility. However, the roster overall is still very weak, yet the Bills can't overlook their opponents, especially if they're divisional opponents.
Final Record Outlook
The Bills' ceiling is winning the remaining six games, finishing the season 15-2. Their floor is losing at most three out of their six games, bringing their record to 12-5.
Realistically, the Bills will finish their season going 14-3, with their only other loss being against a ruthless Lions team on the road. If the Bills finish with that record, there's a good chance the Chiefs will tie or get beat out by Buffalo, as their remaining schedule includes the Chargers, Broncos, Texans, and Steelers.
So overall, the Bills do have a good chance of stealing the one seed from the Chiefs, which would be huge in the post-season for the Bills.