Interesting Question involving the BUF/PHI and NE/BAL outcomes

[SCBills]

Hypothetical.  
 

Let’s say we beat NE. 
 

NE 11-3

BUF 10-4

 

The following week we beat the Browns & New England loses to Baltimore. 
 

NE 11-4

BUF 11-4

We then play Philly & NYJ

 

NE plays NYJ and Miami 

 

That Philly game means literally nothing for us in this scenario, outside seeding.  It all comes down to beating the Jets and NE losing to the Jets or Miami for the Division. 
 

IF this were to happen.. Should we rest Allen & all other important players against Philly?

Or do you want to play that game out and guarantee the 5 seed? (which might even be ours with 12 wins anyway should we win our season finale)

 

That game “could” be utterly meaningless in any and every aspect. 
 

Of course, it could also mean keeping pace with NE if they beat Baltimore or meaningful in the playoff race should we lose to NE and, heaven forbid, struggle against Cleveland. 
 

But we will know the outcome of that NE/BAL game heading into our game with Philadelphia. 

[SMAKCruiser]

No we should not rest Allen and other important players against Philly.

[SCBills]

Just now, SMAKCruiser said:

No we should not rest Allen and other important players against Philly.

If it means nothing for us, why?

 

This team had an early bye.  We’re likely playing WC weekend.  
 

For what reason should we play our starters if that game means nothing. 
 

If it means nothing and was the final game of the season, they’d sit.  We’ve seen this before.  So why is it different if it’s the second to last game of the season… against a team that will need the game and has a strong pass rush?

 

Cant manufacture urgency and we’d be sending guys out there in a game they know is meaningless, against a team likely needing the game. 

[Matt_In_NH]

One seed wouldn’t likely also be in play with the Philly game so it would mean something

[gonzo1105]

I get it. The problem you run into is not only the division then on the line but also seeding 1-3 hypothetically between Denver, Buffalo, and Jacksonville or Houston. 
 

I think it’s more likely that the Bills say screw it we need rest and sit them against the Jets

[wjag]

Bills v Philly is at 430p while NEvJets are 1p.  So they'll at least know what the +/- of winning/losing will be.

 

 

[SMAKCruiser]

1 minute ago, SCBills said:

If it means nothing for us, why?

 

This team had an early bye.  We’re likely playing WC weekend.  
 

For what reason should we play our starters if that game means nothing. 
 

If it means nothing and was the final game of the season, they’d sit.  We’ve seen this before.  So why is it different if it’s the second to last game of the season… against a team that will need the game and has a strong pass rush?

 

Cant manufacture urgency and we’d be sending guys out there in a game they know is meaningless, against a team likely needing the game. 

 

The game does mean something though.   Seeding is also important.  

[Process]

I was thinking the same thing the other day, then remembered the one seed. It would likely still be in play. Not sure who wins the tie breaker if we and the broncos both have 4 losses.

[Gregg]

If the Bills are going to have any chance at winning the division, then they will have to run the table to get to 13-4 and then get some help from other teams beating the Pats.

[Process]

2 minutes ago, Process said:

I was thinking the same thing the other day, then remembered the one seed. It would likely still be in play. Not sure who wins the tie breaker if we and the broncos both have 4 losses.

Also the 5 seed is important. Would much rather go to Pittsburgh then Jacksonville or Houston. Massive difference imo. 

[strive_for_five_guy]

2 minutes ago, Gregg said:

If the Bills are going to have any chance at winning the division, then they will have to run the table to get to 13-4 and then get some help from other teams beating the Pats.

To win the division, we need to beat the Pats and we need the Pats to lose to either the Jets or Miami.  If the Pats lose to the Ravens, the Eagles game doesn’t matter for our chances to win the division.  To other posters’ points, the Eagles game could still matter for the 1 seed, though.

[SCBills]

Fair points on the one seed. 
 

If that’s still in reach, you have to play for it - especially given Denver’s schedule which could make it so.  
 

Re: Denver, they have 2 AFC losses.  Both L’s are in conference.  
 

Is the tie-breaker conference record?

 

Bills have 3 AFC losses and 1 NFC loss. 
 

If Denver loses their next two before we play PHI, they’d also have 3 AFC, 1 NFC loss.  Currently they’re up on NE and both have 2 AFC losses only. 
 

Not sure of the next tie breaker. 

3 minutes ago, Process said:

Also the 5 seed is important. Would much rather go to Pittsburgh then Jacksonville or Houston. Massive difference imo. 

Would you rather play at Baltimore or at Jacksonville?.. should it shake out that way.   We just don’t know.  
 

We should beat Baltimore, but that game is so charged with emotion given what we’ve done to them lately.. and if they get in, it likely means Lamar has gotten somewhat healthy.. because they aren’t getting in playing like he’s played lately.  
 

Jax has some pieces that could be tough to deal with, but I’ll take JA over T-Law in a stadium that would be taken over by Bills fans. 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

11 minutes ago, Gregg said:

If the Bills are going to have any chance at winning the division, then they will have to run the table to get to 13-4 and then get some help from other teams beating the Pats.

Probably the most realistic way…it’s not impossible bills finish 3-1 and pats 1-3 though

pats schedule heats up a little bit down the stretch…jets are probably a free win but the other 3 you never know  

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Generic_Bills_Fan

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, Generic_Bills_Fan said:

Probably the most realistic way…it’s not impossible bills finish 3-1 and pats 1-3 though

pats schedule heats up a little bit down the stretch…jets are probably a free win but the other 3 you never know  

 

 

 

Anything is possible but I doubt they lose to the Dolphins and Jets. 

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

 rest Allen?

 

[gonzo1105]

15 minutes ago, SCBills said:

Fair points on the one seed. 
 

If that’s still in reach, you have to play for it - especially given Denver’s schedule which could make it so.  
 

Re: Denver, they have 2 AFC losses.  Both L’s are in conference.  
 

Is the tie-breaker conference record?

 

Bills have 3 AFC losses and 1 NFC loss. 
 

If Denver loses their next two before we play PHI, they’d also have 3 AFC, 1 NFC loss.  Currently they’re up on NE and both have 2 AFC losses only. 
 

Not sure of the next tie breaker. 

Would you rather play at Baltimore or at Jacksonville?.. should it shake out that way.   We just don’t know.  
 

We should beat Baltimore, but that game is so charged with emotion given what we’ve done to them lately.. and if they get in, it likely means Lamar has gotten somewhat healthy.. because they aren’t getting in playing like he’s played lately.  
 

Jax has some pieces that could be tough to deal with, but I’ll take JA over T-Law in a stadium that would be taken over by Bills fans. 

Yes the first tiebreaker is Head to Head , the 2nd is Conference Record 

[2003Contenders]

18 minutes ago, Process said:

Also the 5 seed is important. Would much rather go to Pittsburgh then Jacksonville or Houston. Massive difference imo. 

Exactly. Not only that, but if the Bills do manage to win on Wild Card Weekend and the Division round then they could host the AFCCG if the 6th/7th seed also upset the division winners in the first 2 rounds.

[Gregg]

18 minutes ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

To win the division, we need to beat the Pats and we need the Pats to lose to either the Jets or Miami.  If the Pats lose to the Ravens, the Eagles game doesn’t matter for our chances to win the division.  To other posters’ points, the Eagles game could still matter for the 1 seed, though.

 

If the Bills do go in as a WC, I hope they can get the #5 seed as the #4 seed is looking like it will come from the AFCN. As we saw the Bills have no problem going into Pittsburgh. I do think the Steelers will win the division after their huge win last week at Baltimore.

Edited 1 hour ago by Gregg

[Sweats]

Could you image the scenario where we "thought" we had a post season spot locked up and then it turns out that we missed the whole shebang altogether?

 

Jesus, you think this place is a divine mess around here when we lose a game, imagine missing out on the playoffs cause other factors played out that no one saw coming.

 

Wow........just wow.

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, Sweats said:

Could you image the scenario where we "thought" we had a post season spot locked up and then it turns out that we missed the whole shebang altogether?

 

Jesus, you think this place is a divine mess around here when we lose a game, imagine missing out on the playoffs cause other factors played out that no one saw coming.

 

Wow........just wow.

 

An angry mob with pitchforks and knives would be going to Beane and McDermott's houses