The ninth-best team in the AFC might be the best team in the conference.
The Bills aren’t currently in the playoff picture, but they’re trending that way after crushing the Cowboys, 31–10. Buffalo (8–6) is now tied with the Texans, Colts and Bengals, and the latter two currently control the sixth and seventh seeds in the AFC because of tiebreakers.
It’s a bit surprising that the Texans didn’t take a step back this week, but they found a way to win in overtime against the Titans without quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Over in the NFC, the Rams took control of the seventh and final seed by beating the Commanders. Los Angeles received help from Tampa Bay’s road victory over Green Bay.
Here’s what we learned about the Bills, Rams, Texans, Dolphins and Buccaneers during Week 15.
No team in the AFC wants to see the Bills in the postseason—especially after what they did to the Cowboys on Sunday.
The Bills’ defense was once viewed as a weakness because of a long list of injuries. But coach Sean McDermott has produced game-winning adjustments in the past two weeks against the Chiefs and Cowboys. Dak Prescott saw plenty of pressure and struggled to get the ball to star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. On offense, Bills quarterback Josh Allen received more than enough help from running back James Cook, who recorded 179 yards on 25 carries.
Cook has struggled finding consistency since joining Buffalolast season, but he’s been sensational the past two games, including in the passing game. The Bills might have found something with interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Buffalo didn’t get much help in the standings (the team is currently the No. 9 seed), but it now will play the struggling Chargers and Patriots in back-to-back weeks before ending the regular season in Miami.
The Cowboys (10–4) had a golden opportunity to change the narrative that they’re pretenders. Instead, they delivered a flat performance and now might be headed for the fifth seed in the postseason. The Eagles have a tough matchup in Seattle Monday night, but they end the regular season with two games against the Giants sandwiched around a Week 17 home game against the Cardinals. The Cowboys travel to Miami next week before facing the Lions at home and the Commanders on the road. But Dallas has bigger problems than the NFC standings, as All-Pro guard Zack Martin exited early Sunday with a thigh injury.
