1. Rich Gannon: Bills Mafia can go on the road and win a playoff game
CBS Sports' Adam Schein likes the Bills in the playoffs, but that's no shock as he has been a Bills supporter since the beginning of the season. Schein asked CBS Sports' NFL analyst Rich Gannon what he thought about Buffalo's hopes in the playoffs.
"I really like the Bills," Gannon said. "I like the way they are coached. Sean McDermott has done a great job; they've got two very good coordinators. I think this is a mentally tough football team. They failed to get it done this past weekend in New England, they had plenty of opportunities. But keep in mind, this is a team that has been good on the road this year, they are 6-2."
Gannon thinks Josh Allen has proven his growth in year two.
"They play good defense," Gannon explained. "They can run the football and Josh Allen is a part of that. I think Josh Allen has taken a major step in year two in terms of his ability to put his team in a position late in games to have a chance to win. I think the Bills Mafia can go on the road and win a playoff game."
2. The Ringer likes Buffalo's chances in the postseason
Robert Mays of the The Ringer highlighted 11 things NFL fans need to know before Week 17 kicks off and the Bills are a part of the 11 notes to know. Mays thinks Buffalo showed its true talent in the second half of the season and wouldn't be surprised to see them win in the first round.
Buffalo is locked into the no. 5 seed in the AFC, and it's not hard to imagine this team pulling off a playoff upset.
After losing a close game to the Patriots on Saturday, the Bills' playoff seeding is set, and it seems like they'll be traveling to Houston on wild-card weekend. It was tough to get much of a read on Buffalo through the first two-thirds of the season. The Bills started 8-3, but their wins came against the Dolphins (twice), Jets, Giants, Bengals, Titans (with Marcus Mariota at quarterback), and Broncos (with Brandon Allen at quarterback). But the back half of the Bills' schedule has shown that this team can hang with some of the league's elite. After losing by a touchdown to the Ravens in Week 14 and beating the Steelers on the road in Week 15, Buffalo stuck with the Patriots before eventually falling 24-17. Josh Allen's inconsistencies make it hard to trust the Bills in critical moments, but his ability to create big plays through the air and move the chains with his legs still has plenty of value. With offseason additions like Cole Beasley, Dawson Knox, and John Brown in the fold, this offense has a puncher's chance every week. And combined with one of the league's best defenses, it wouldn't be surprising to see Buffalo earn a win in the first round.
The Bills are the fifth-seed, but do not know their opponent yet. It's down to either Houston or Kansas City which will be finalized after Sunday's games.
3. Who should the Bills re-sign in free agency?
Bleacher Report dug into the salary-cap space of each NFL team and found a player they think each team should re-sign once free agency hits. Spotrac lists the Bills as the number four team when it comes to space with $89.5 million dollars. Bleacher Report says the Bills should re-sign offensive lineman Quinton Spain.
Spain came to Buffalo after four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, and he's been nothing short of phenomenal. He has started all 15 games for the Bills and has allowed zero sacks while committing only four penalties, according to Pro Football Focus. According to Football Outsiders, he has played 99.5 percent of Buffalo's offensive snaps this year.
Spain is an interior rock in Buffalo, and at 28 years old, he has many prime playing years ahead of him.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox explains the Bills should keep Spain because of his ability to help with an offense that likes to run the ball.
