There were strong performances from the usual suspects, but it was Buffalo's newcomers who stole back the AFC East on Sunday night against the Miami Dolphins.
The definition of newcomers, according to this article, is any player the Bills have acquired since last season's playoff exit against the Cincinnati Bengals. Whether that was via the draft, free agency, or a trade, these players are still in their first year (or half-year) in Buffalo.
In Week 18, these particular Bills made important plays on both sides of the ball. Whether it was Deonte Harty's punt return touchdown or Trent Sherfield's toe-tapping touchdown catch, the Bills enjoyed a handful of A-plus performances from its shortest-tenured players.
But which of these players are most important to the Bills Super Bowl aspirations?
6. Trent Sherfield
While Sherfield made a highlight-reel touchdown catch on Sunday night, he has been quiet this season. The touchdown catch was one of only 11 catches that have amassed to just 86 receiving yards for Sherfield in 2023.
After catching 30 passes for 417 yards and two touchdowns with the Dolphins last season, Sherfield signed a one-year deal with the Bills last March. The sixth-year pass catcher was supposed to have big play potential, but the Bills hadn't seen him make a big play all season long before his brilliant score on Sunday night.
With Gabriel Davis in danger of missing some time, Sherfield could see his playing time increase, but don't expect him to catch many more touchdowns during the Bills postseason run.