Can the Packers help out the Bills and give Buffalo a Thanksgiving “gift”?
The Buffalo Bills are in an excellent position, both within their division and across the AFC. As of now, they hold the #2 seed if the playoffs were to begin before Week 13. This is a major improvement compared to last year, when they were 6-6 after 12 games, which led to the firing of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. That decision followed a painful loss to the Denver Broncos two weeks earlier, leaving the team at 5-5.
At present, the Bills are 9-2 and will face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, December 1st. The 49ers have not looked as strong as the team that made it to the Super Bowl last season. A win over San Francisco would help the Bills distance themselves from teams like Pittsburgh, Houston, and Baltimore in the race for a top-two playoff seed.
The current Buffalo Bills team, which has undergone significant changes with a mix of veteran players and newer faces, was expected by many to take a step back this year. Analysts predicted that teams like Miami or the Jets might surpass the Bills for the division title. However, as the season has shown, the Bills remain one of the top teams in the AFC and continue to dominate their division. While it’s not the era of Tom Brady and the Patriots’ 20-year reign over the AFC East, the Bills are off to an impressive start.
In fact, if the Buffalo Bills win the division this year, it will mark their longest streak of consecutive division titles. Their longest previous streak was four years in a row from 1988 to 1991, and they are currently in a streak from 2020 to 2023. This year is shaping up to be a historic one for the Bills. Despite being written off by the national media, their success is a testament to the team’s resilience, strong coaching, and the exceptional play of Josh Allen.
This Thursday on Thanksgiving, the Miami Dolphins will face the Green Bay Packers. Given the Dolphins’ history, they could be vulnerable to a loss, especially since the game is being played in cold weather in Green Bay. While the Dolphins are playing well recently, the Packers’ home-field advantage could present some challenges for them. As Sal Capaccio mentioned, if the Bills win and the Dolphins lose, the Bills will be crowned AFC East Champions for the fifth consecutive year, marking a first in franchise history.
If this scenario plays out, it could significantly impact the Bills’ playoff positioning, especially in terms of seeding and resting their starters. To secure the #1 seed, the Bills would need to match the Chiefs’ record, as they hold the tiebreaker. This would be a major milestone for the Bills, as they have never had a playoff bye week. Having an extra week off to rest, combined with the opportunity to improve player health, could be crucial for a deep playoff run.
Given the Bills’ injury struggles, particularly last year, staying healthy for the playoffs could make all the difference. A fully healthy defense and enough offensive firepower to support Josh Allen could be the key to a successful postseason.
