The Buffalo Bills have an 89% chance of reaching the postseason heading into their Week 14 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to the NFL’s playoff picture. A win would raise that percentage to 96%, while a loss would push it down to 78%.
With the team 4-4 in its last eight games, trading wins and losses in the last five, Buffalo can’t afford to allow the trend to continue. With Joe Burrow back under center for Cincinnati, coming off a win over the Baltimore Ravens that keeps their playoff hopes alive, it’s easier said than done.
The trend is the mark of inconsistency on Buffalo’s part, and head coach Sean McDermott recognizes that. In his Wednesday press conference, McDermott stressed that the team needs to put that trend behind them.
Sean McDermott’s warning reflects the stakes for the Buffalo Bills in Week 14
"I don't think we can afford to be inconsistent. Not now, not that you can ever be, don’t get me wrong," McDermott said. "Our backs are against the wall. That’s the way it is, and that’s our mindset."
"There's no time for that right now. So, we've got to go."
Buffalo’s chances of overtaking the New England Patriots for the lead in the AFC East are slim, even if the Bills beat the Bengals and Patriots over the next two weeks. New England has a favorable situation coming out of their BYE next week against Buffalo, as their lead in the AFC East can survive a loss next week with dates against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins closing their regular season.
That puts the pressure on Buffalo to handle business in its four remaining AFC matchups, starting this week against the Bengals.
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Nonetheless, Buffalo may have found its blueprint to stay in control of its postseason destiny. The rushing attack the Bills displayed against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday may not be easily replicated each and every week. But the Bengals have the league’s worst rushing defense, and James Cook has been on a heater, topping 100 yards from scrimmage in his last three games, with 177 against Pittsburgh.
It’s a critical five weeks ahead for Buffalo, but it’s manageable all the same. Only the Patriots in those four conference games have a winning record, while the Philadelphia Eagles are the only other playoff contender on the schedule apart from the Patriots. But it starts with taking care of business against the Bengals, putting their playoff hopes nearly to bed, and further ensuring that Buffalo will be a part of the bracket in January.