Week 17 was one for the history books as the Buffalo Bills steamrolled the New York Jets with a 40-14 victory.
With a 13-3 record, the Bills locked in the number two seed in the AFC playoffs and delivered one of the most dominant performances of their season.
What a time to be a Bills fan!
With this achievement, the Bills reached 13 wins for only the fourth time in franchise history and set a new team record for the most points scored in a season, totaling 509.
For context, that’s no small feat.
And seeing the Bills dominate like this feels surreal for someone who’s been a fan for decades.
So, let’s recap the big moments, standout performances, record-breaking plays, and how the Bills are gearing up for a strong playoff run.
- The Buffalo Bills locked in the No. 2 playoff spot with a big 40-14 win over the Jets, breaking team records and looking strong for the playoffs.
- Josh Allen kept proving why he’s an MVP favorite, tying Thurman Thomas for the most rushing touchdowns in team history and breaking NFL records.
- The Bills defense dominated Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, forcing turnovers, sacks, and even a safety while keeping injuries minimal ahead of the playoffs.
A Win Wrapped in Strategy
What makes this win even sweeter is that the Bills now have some breathing room heading into Week 18.
With nothing on the line next week, they can afford to rest key players, give backups valuable reps, and focus on healing up before the playoff grind begins.
It’s like a pseudo-bye week at the perfect time, and the team sure earned it.
One of the best parts of the Jets game is how the Bills escaped with barely any significant injuries.
That’s a huge relief because keeping the roster intact and healthy heading into the postseason is half the battle.
Injuries That Could’ve Been Worse
Alec Anderson, the offensive lineman, had a bit of a rough day.
Early in the second quarter, he rolled his left ankle after losing his balance.
It looked like a typical low ankle sprain, and after a quick tape job, he was back in action.
But later in the fourth quarter, Anderson took another hit, this time in the collarbone area, which caused his head to snap to the left.
Based on the footage, it seemed like he suffered a stinger, as his right arm was visibly dangling afterward.
Thankfully, considering the score, there was no reason for him to return to the game.
By the looks of post-game photos, Anderson seemed fine, which is a good sign for his availability moving forward.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper gave us a little scare after his touchdown catch in the third quarter.
He stayed on the ground for a few seconds before chatting with Nate Breske, the team’s head athletic trainer.
The Bills’ PR team later announced that Cooper was evaluated for a head injury, likely because his head struck the ground during the play.
Fortunately, he was quickly cleared to return, and Cooper clarified after the game that it was actually his tailbone that caused him to stay down for a bit.
Crisis averted.
Cornerback Cam Lewis, who was already questionable coming into the game, played with visible tape or a brace on his right shoulder.
While it’s unclear what exactly is bothering him, it’s worth keeping an eye on in case the issue flares up during the playoffs.
Josh Allen Makes His Case for MVP
Josh Allen once again reminded everyone why he’s the heart and soul of this team.
His three-touchdown performance capped off an incredible season and further solidified his case for MVP.
He’s the first player in NFL history to record five consecutive seasons with 40 or more total touchdowns.
But Allen didn’t just stop there.
With his 65th score, he tied Thurman Thomas for the most career rushing touchdowns in Bills history, achieved via a classic 1-yard push.
He also surpassed Russell Wilson for the most wins (76) by a quarterback in their first seven seasons.
The man is rewriting record books left and right, and we’re here for it.
His connection with Amari Cooper was on full display when he delivered a stunning 30-yard touchdown pass.
Later, he lobbed another highlight-worthy toss to rookie Keon Coleman, who soared to snag a 14-yard touchdown.
Even head coach Sean McDermott couldn’t hold back his praise.
“At the end of the day, Josh Allen is the MVP,” McDermott said.
“What he has done for this team, this organization, this community—it’s hard to believe someone else has done more.”
Defense Steals the Spotlight
As good as the offense was, the defense might have been even better.
They swarmed Aaron Rodgers and the Jets from the opening whistle.
On their first eight drives, the Jets couldn’t manage anything better than a punt, a turnover, or a safety.
And there’s no secret that the defensive highlight reel is long.
AJ Epenesa’s second-quarter sack of Rodgers in the end zone gave the Bills a safety and set the tone for the rest of the game.
Greg Rousseau and DaQuan Jones teamed up for a sack, pushing Rousseau to tie his career-high of eight sacks.
Von Miller and Ed Oliver also joined the sack party, and Christian Benford and Jordan Phillips snagged interceptions.
Phillips’ pick came after Rousseau tipped the ball at the line, a play that showed just how locked in this unit was.
Rodgers, who entered the game needing one touchdown pass to reach 500 in his career, was held to a miserable stat line: 12-of-18 passing, 112 yards, two interceptions, and four sacks.
The Bills’ defense made sure he had no chance to hit that milestone.
Looking Ahead to the Playoffs
With the No. 2 seed secured, the Bills have guaranteed themselves at least two home games if they advance in the playoffs.
Their wildcard opponent remains undecided, but it’ll be the No. 7 seed—potentially the Broncos, Bengals, or Dolphins.
The big question now is how McDermott and GM Brandon Beane will approach the Week 18 game against the Patriots.
Resting starters like Allen, James Cook, and others seem like the obvious choice, but it’s not that simple.
Some players have personal or contractual milestones they might want to reach.
Cook, for example, leads the league with 15 rushing touchdowns and could pad that number.
And Allen’s consecutive games streak is another factor to consider.
Regardless of who plays, this team is firing on all cylinders and ready for whatever the playoffs throw their way.
So savor this moment, Bills fans.
The team is making history, and the playoffs promise to be a thrilling ride.
The road to the Super Bowl is never easy, but with this squad, anything feels possible.
