Dec 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks on during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
11. Buffalo Bills (8): Think QB Josh Allen needs the week off given how limited the MVP has looked on his bum foot the past two weeks? Probably. But a guy who hasn’t missed a start since his rookie year probably makes at least a cameo Sunday, wearing a red Bills helmet in a game for the first time and in what will almost certainly be the last hurrah for Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott watches from the sidelines during second half action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 28, 2025.
8. (tie). Bills (No. 3; 11-5): Josh Allen’s foot seems to be worse than he or the team will admit.
Dec 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt (58) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
5. Last Week: 5
Week 17 Result: Lost vs. Philadelphia 13-12
The Bills decided to be aggressive against the Eagles and it cost them. Buffalo’s two-point attempt to win Sunday’s game outright instead of going into overtime ultimately allowed the New England Patriots to claim the AFC East crown, because Josh Allen misfired when it mattered the most.
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Allen often plays like the NFL’s version of Superman, but he can’t accomplish everything.
He seemed hampered by an ankle injury—which needs to be monitored because those issues can be nagging—and wasn’t able to make the plays he normally does, including missing a wide-open Khalil Shakir in the back of the end zone to convert the two-point conversion.
Dec 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
9. The defense played better in the loss to the Eagles, which is progress. They are going on the road come playoff time.
Dec 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) runs the ball against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
10. Bills
They looked terrible against the Eagles defense for 50 minutes, then came within a failed two-point pass of a miracle comeback. Why do they always take so long to get going?
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts pushes away Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano who almost got a hold of him during second half action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 28, 2025.
10. Buffalo Bills (11-5)
Last week: 4
Sunday: Lost to Eagles 13-12
Head coach check-in: Big postseason awaits
Sean McDermott has seven playoff wins (and seven playoff losses) as he prepares to finish his ninth season in Buffalo. That, plus a 97-50 regular-season record, would be considered pretty good for most other coaches. The problem for McDermott is that he has Josh Allen, and the pair has not made a Super Bowl yet. With an unproven playoff group in the AFC, the heat on McDermott will turn up even more if he doesn’t get there this year. They didn’t look Super Bowl-ready on Sunday, losing to an Eagles team that posted just 190 yards of offense.
Up next: vs. Jets, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins provides pass protectionto give quarterback Josh Allen time to get a pass off during first half action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 28, 2025.
10. Buffalo Bills (11–5)
Last week’s ranking: No. 3Last week’s result: lost to Eagles, 13–12This week: vs. Jets
My one lingering thought on the Bills’ finale was wondering whether too much had been heaped onto the plate of Josh Allen on that last play. We’re asking the man to be Hercules—or Sisyphus, I guess, in this metaphor—and then call a touch throw that involves a totally different gear than the one Allen was currently in. Say he missed an open receiver. Fine. But let’s take the workload into account before that pass.
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson is taken down by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell during second half action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 28, 2025.
10. Buffalo Bills (11-5)
Week 17 result: Lost to the Eagles 13-12Week 17 ranking: 7
What we learned this season: Bringing in more wide receiver talent is necessary.
In many ways, this was known before the season began. Last year, with a solid but not great group of receivers, the Bills set a franchise record in points (525) and finished a game away from the Super Bowl. But coach Sean McDermott admitted last week that the team is still trying to figure out the right combination of receivers, and that’s an issue with the playoffs starting. This offense changes drastically when tight end Dalton Kincaid isn’t playing, and while quarterback Josh Allen is excellent enough to carry the team, 2025 proved that better pass catchers are needed.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Power rankings: Where do the buffalo Bills rank ahead of Week 18?