Would you rather playoff seeding scenario?

[Kirby Jackson]

This came out of a conversation in another thread but got me thinking. Would you rather be the 1 seed AND have the Chiefs & Ravens as division winners OR be the 5 seed & the Chiefs & Ravens both miss the playoffs? For me, I think that the Bills are the AFC favorite in either scenario but curious as to what others think. 
 

P.S. Try to leave out the emotions/nostalgia of “it would be really cool to play the AFC Championship as the last game at Higmark.” Let’s keep this as, “what is the easier path to a title?”

Edited 1 hour ago by Kirby Jackson

[Gregg]

Went with the #1 seed. The Chiefs and Ravens would be tough outs in playoffs but in OP I would like the Bills chances even though they would be tough games. The Bills have never won a road playoff game with McDermott. So, give me homefield advantage for the Bills.

[Virgil]

We know that the Chiefs can "turn it on" in the playoffs and knock us out.  We barely beat the Ravens the last few games.  

 

I have zero faith in any of the other teams knowing how to win in the playoffs, and even with the #5 seed, there's a good chance we could still host a playoff game in the AFC championship game.  I think the Bills would be favored in all of their games as the #5 seed as well.  I know that Josh has never won on the road, but that's really only KC for the last 4 years.  

 

Home vs KC or Baltimore would be scarier to me than on the road against anyone else.  

[0017]

Neither team scares me at the moment. Give me the bye week and home field, but damn we need the Patriots and Broncos and Colts to start losing! 

[Kirby Jackson]

FWIW, it’s a super interesting question. That holds especially true when factoring in the Ravens would almost certainly be the 4 seed if they won the division. That means you’d play both the Ravens and Chiefs as your 2 games (assuming KC beats the Colts or whomever). 

Edited 1 hour ago by Kirby Jackson

[GunnerBill]

I honestly think the #5 with the Chiefs and Ravens out. That guarantees the Bills a clear QB advantage in every match up (I suppose possibly Herbert if he is on a good day and Josh is a bit off) 

[stevestojan]

Just now, GunnerBill said:

I honestly think the #5 with the Chiefs and Ravens out. That guarantees the Bills a clear QB advantage in every match up (I suppose possibly Herbert if he is on a good day and Josh is a bit off) 

I changed my vote because of this post. 

[Gregg]

Here is the Ravens schedule for the rest of the year.

 

at Vikings

at Browns

Jets

Bengals

Steelers

at Bengals

Patriots

at Packers

at Steelers

 

Ravens - Steelers are usually physical wars as both teams hate each other. At Minnesota isn't easy. At Green Bay is a tough game for them. We may need the Ravens to beat the Pats. The rest of their schedule they probably win those games. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Gregg

[TheWei44]

Hopefully the Pats game will be "do or die" for the Ravens - That could be a sneaky critical game.  Then have them lose two to close out season and miss playoffs.

[Kirby Jackson]

6 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I honestly think the #5 with the Chiefs and Ravens out. That guarantees the Bills a clear QB advantage in every match up (I suppose possibly Herbert if he is on a good day and Josh is a bit off) 

That’s how I voted too but could be swayed. “Who scares me the most?” “Are you more likely to beat the Ravens & Chiefs at home again, or at Pittsburgh/Indy/Denver” I’d pick path 2 (at least at this moment).

[Donuts and Doritos]

1 seed. Have to play 1 less game, which is 1 less chance to loose, get an injury to a key player. Also chance to rest, get healthy & be prepared to win the division round. 2 wins to the Superbowl both would be games at home. It's an easier path & better chance of being healthier for the Superbowl matchup.

[BearNorth]

Unlike other years, everything seems to be bunching so closely that the Bills may have to use their regulars in week 18 just to hang on to whatever seed they are in position for.

[Kirby Jackson]

I wonder what the odds would be of going to the Super Bowl in scenario A vs. scenario B? We need an oddsmaker on here. 🤣🤣

[Gregg]

2 minutes ago, Donuts and Doritos said:

1 seed. Have to play 1 less game, which is 1 less chance to loose, get an injury to a key player. Also chance to rest, get healthy & be prepared to win the division round. 2 wins to the Superbowl both would be games at home. It's an easier path & better chance of being healthier for the Superbowl matchup.

 

Good point. Get an extra week off by not having to play WC weekend would be huge. They can use that extra week to get as healthy as possible.

[boyst]

as a fan: i want the #1 seed and beat the crap out of every team we face and sweet poetic revenge to take out the Chiefs and just the lulz to beat Jackson and the Ravens again. plus this means the Patriots don't win the division.

 

reality is 5th seed is good enough.

[Einstein]

19 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I honestly think the #5 with the Chiefs and Ravens out. That guarantees the Bills a clear QB advantage in every match up (I suppose possibly Herbert if he is on a good day and Josh is a bit off) 

1 more game for injury and fluky stuff to happen though. Plus no home field.

Tough choice.

[quincy]

Number 1 seed is the winner for me.

 

Guaranteed home games and rest assuming the Divisional game is won. 

 

Mahomes and Jackson could face "1B" quarterbacks like Maye and Rodgers and if they have elite games, could knock out KC and Baltimore.

 

Obviously Baltimore is more vulnerable given Lamar's postseason struggles.

 

Burrow has a small chance of being back for the Playoffs if Flacco can keep them afloat despite a truly awful D. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Fleezoid]

I took the 1 -seed. And it comes down to one thing.....an extra week off. To me the bye week is huge. 

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

#5 . I don't think any of the "in teams" right now scare me as much as the Chiefs and Ravens. In a big spot they are the only teams I think could beat us.

[Process]

If the bills get the one seed and Ravens and Chiefs both make it, there's a very good chance that we have to play them both. It sucks that this would be the year they don't get 2/3 seeds.