Buffalo Bills

Power rankings: Where the Bills rank heading into Week 17

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The Buffalo Bills (12-3) head into Week 16 fresh off of win over the New England Patriots.

Coming into the year, many were all over the place when ranking how the Bills stacked up against the rest of the league. But now it’s clear that they are one of the league’s best.

Here’s how the Bills fare in national media power rankings polls heading into Week 17:

Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

1. Buffalo Bills (1):

Yes, they struggled to beat last-place New England on Sunday, failed to score at least 30 points for the first time since Week 6 and were lucky that QB Josh Allen avoided a more significant injury to his throwing arm. Yet the Bills also remained perfect at Highmark Stadium this season – warning enough to the rest of the AFC if Buffalo is able to bring the road to Super Bowl 59 through Western New York. And, don’t forget, this remains the only team to beat Kansas City and Detroit.

Pro Football Talk

 

Imagn

2. Bills (No. 2; 12-3):

Can the defense hold up in the playoffs?

Bleacher Report

 

Imang

3. Buffalo Bills (12-3)

Last Week: 2

Week 16 Result: Won vs. New England 24-21

The Buffalo Bills got the win in Week 16, but that three-point victory came with some nerves. The New England Patriots gave the Bills all they could handle, and Bills quarterback Josh Allen spent much of the game dealing with an issue on his throwing hand.

Allen told reporters after the win that he whacked his funny bone—and it wasn’t funny even a little.

“Lost some feeling in my hand. Just hit the funny bone nerve,” said Allen. It took a good five to ten minutes, so just making sure, trying to get some blood flow back in there. So, it was a weird feeling. Just glad it’s gone now.”

Unfortunately, Buffalo’s chances of earning the AFC’s top seed are likely all but gone as well. Buffalo needs a combination of two Bills wins and a pair of losses by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Otherwise, it’s likely the No. 2 seed for Buffalo—and a potential trip to Arrowhead Stadium for the AFC Championship Game.

Analyst’s Take

Josh Allen is a rough-and-tumble quarterback. He’s bigger and more athletic than most at the position and he knows how to use it to his advantage. The scary part is the injury potential. For example, Allen is already dealing with a broken left hand. He then spent the fourth quarter dealing with an issue on his throwing hand that Allen later identified as being hit on his funny bone. As the potential league MVP, the Bills must do everything to keep Allen healthy and not let him get dinged any further. It’s a big ask, but necessary if Buffalo is to achieve its ultimate goal finally.

The Athletic

 

USAT

1. Buffalo Bills (12-3)

Last week: 2

Sunday: Beat New England Patriots 24-21

The big question: Is the defense good enough?

The Bills have given up an average of 35.7 points in the last three games. New England gained 379 yards and took an early 14-0 lead Sunday before running back James Cook brought Buffalo back. He was the Bills’ leading rusher (100 yards) and receiver (26 yards). For the season, Buffalo is 11th in scoring defense (22.1 ppg allowed) but 18th in defensive EPA (minus-.3 per 100 snaps), according to TruMedia.

Up next: vs. New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

ESPN

 

USAT

4. Buffalo Bills (12-3)

Rookie of the year: Running back Ray Davis

Wide receiver Keon Coleman is a strong candidate, but Davis gets the nod because of his complete season despite splitting carries with James Cook, who is having one of the top scoring seasons in franchise history. The fourth-round pick has 92 carries for 369 yards and three touchdowns, as well as 14 receptions for 184 yards and two receiving touchdowns. “He runs the ball very hard,” quarterback Josh Allen said. “He packs a punch, but he’s very decisive in his running, and I think that makes him very good for this team.”

Yahoo! Sports

 

Imagn

2. Buffalo Bills (2):

The Bills didn’t look great vs. the Patriots but it’s impossible to be up for every game in an 18-week schedule. Buffalo won and that’s all that matters. We’ll see if the Chiefs win on Christmas to clinch the No. 1 seed, because that would mean the Bills might rest starters in Week 18.

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