NFL playoff picture: What does Bills-Patriots mean for AFC playoff standings

The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots face off on to open Week 13 of the 2022 NFL regular season. Kickoff is set 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. The Bills are a five-point favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook in a matchup with critical implications for the 2023 NFL Playoffs.

Bills playoff picture

The Bills are 8-3 and tied atop the AFC East with the Dolphins. Miami holds the tiebreaker with a Week 3 head-to-head win in Miami, but they still have to play each other in Week 15 in Buffalo. With the Dolphins traveling to face the 49ers, the Bills are in prime position to take a one-game lead in the division if they can win at Gillette Stadium.

Buffalo is currently fifth overall in the AFC. If they win on Thursday and Miami loses, they move to second overall, and first overall if Kansas City also loses. If the Bills win on Thursday and Miami wins on Sunday, Buffalo remains in fifth place. If the Bills lose on Thursday, they could drop to sixth or seventh depending on the outcomes of Jets-Vikings and Chiefs-Bengals.

Patriots playoff picture

The Patriots are 8-3 and in last place in the AFC East. They need a win to avoid falling three games back of first place in the division. New England is in eighth place overall, having dropped out of a wild card berth after their loss to the Vikings last week.

If the Patriots beat the Bills, they could climb into sixth or seventh place if the Jets and/or Bengals lose. If the Patriots win and the Jets and Bengals both win, New England will remain in eight place. If the Patriots lose, they could drop to ninth depending on the outcome of the Chargers game.

  
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