Here Are The Four Playoff Scenarios for the Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills improved to 10-6 after their one-score win vs. the New England Patriots on Sunday, 27-21.

The Bills defense played great, intercepting Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe three times, twice by cornerback Rasul Douglas (one returned for a touchdown).

The offense, on the other hand, was very inconsistent. It was arguably Josh Allen's worst passing game of the season. The offense was fortunate that the defense caused so many turnovers. Still though, a win is a win and it's one the Bills needed.

Two games went the Bills way on Sunday: the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Miami Dolphins.

The Bengals losing means they're eliminated from playoff contention, while the Dolphins losing means that week 18 between Buffalo and Miami will be for the AFC East crown.

Even though the Bills can clinch the AFC East title with a win on Sunday Night Football in Miami, they can also miss the postseason entirely with a loss.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens and the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Tennessee Titans, the Bills are out of the playoffs with a loss in Miami. The good news is Buffalo only needs one of those other teams to lose to clinch a playoff berth, which they will know before their kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium.

There are four scenarios for the Bills in the playoffs:

1. Win in Miami and clinch the AFC East (2 seed, home vs. the Colts, Texans or Steelers in the Wild Card)
2. Lose in Miami; one loss between the Steelers and Jaguars (7 seed, play at Miami in the Wild Card)
3. Lose in Miami; Jaguars and Steelers both lose (6 seed, play at Kansas City in the Wild Card)
4. Lose in Miami; Steelers and Jaguars both win (out of the playoffs)

Technically, if the Texans and Colts game ends in a tie, the Bills clinch a playoff spot as well. However, the chances of that is slim to none.

The Bills will be playing a very banged up Dolphins team, who is already assured of a playoff spot. Miami lost star edge rusher Bradley Chubb for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

The Dolphins also lost fellow star edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a torn achilles on Black Friday and starting center Connor Williams in week 14 to a torn ACL. Both also won't play in week 18 vs. the Bills.

Not to mention, star cornerback Xavien Howard left the game vs. the Ravens on Sunday. His status for the game is up in the air, as is wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back Raheem Mostert, who both missed the game vs. Baltimore.

The Bills enter the game as 2.5-point road favorites. They win, they earn their fourth straight AFC East title.