The Buffalo Bills suffered a painful and costly 13–12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, a result that came at a critical point in the NFL regular season. Buffalo entered the matchup needing a win to keep several objectives within reach, but the narrow defeat immediately raised an important question around the team: Are the Bills eliminated from the playoffs?
The answer is no. The Bills have already secured a playoff berth, and the loss only impacts their positioning rather than their postseason status. However, the defeat means Buffalo finishes the regular season behind the New England Patriots(13-3), who secured the AFC East title as the Bills (11-5) can’t reach them in the regular season finale. The Bills, therefore, have to settle for a wild-card spot instead of a division crown.
The more damaging consequence affects the race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. While Buffalo entered the week still mathematically alive for the top spot, the loss to Philadelphia effectively ends any remaining path to home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. As a result, the Bills now shift their focus entirely toward preparing for the postseason without the benefit of a first-round bye.
The loss came after a controversial finish that defined the final seconds of the game. A late touchdown was initially ruled a turnover in the end zone, forcing Philadelphia to replay the snap in the closing moments, where the offense reached the end zone again. Instead of settling for the extra point to force overtime, the Eagles chose to go for the win, and a poorly placed pass from Josh Allen on the final possession sealed the outcome and handed the Bills a heartbreaking defeat.
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills.
Patriots crowned AFC East champions
The New England Patriots were crowned AFC East champions for the first time since 2019, officially reclaiming the division in a dramatic Week 17 sequence. New England secured the title following a dominant 42–10 victory over the New York Jets, combined with Philadelphia defeating the Buffalo Bills 13–12 later that night.
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For 11 consecutive seasons, New England sat atop the AFC East before that streak ended in 2020, when Buffalo reclaimed the division. The Bills had gone on to win five straight AFC East titles, but that run came to an end with Sunday’s results.
The turnaround marked a remarkable rise for the Patriots in their first season under head coach Mike Vrabel. Guided by Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye, New England accelerated its rebuilding process after parting ways with Jerod Mayo at the end of last NFL season, returning to the top of the division far sooner than expected.
