The Buffalo Bills head into Week 17 fresh off a 23-20 win over the Cleveland Browns.

The Bills have been at the top of NFL national power rankings polls most weeks throughout the 2025 season.

Is this week going to be different?

Here’s how the Bills fare in national media power rankings polls heading into Week 17:

8. Buffalo Bills (5): They escaped with a win … but struggling against the Browns while trying to manage QB Josh Allen’s foot injury is something to monitor even as the stars seem to be aligning elsewhere for this crew.

3. Bills (No. 4; 11-4): They played with the Browns the way Randy plays with his meatloaf.

4. Buffalo Bills (11-4)Last week: 4

Sunday: Beat Browns 23-20

One concern: The run defense

This group of wide receivers isn’t going to scare teams, but the Bills’ biggest concern is a run defense that ranks 31st in the NFL in EPA per rush. With Josh Allen and James Cook playing well, that’s what could really hold this team back as the playoffs near.

Up next: vs. Eagles, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

5. Buffalo Bills (11-4)

Week: 4

Week 16 Result: Won vs. Cleveland 23-20

Good teams find a way to win when they don’t play their best—and that’s what the Bills did in Cleveland Sunday.

In a game where Josh Allen completed just 12 passes and threw for just 130 yards, the Bills rode big games from running back James Cook and edge-rusher Gregory Rousseau to a three-point win that keeps them hot on the heels of the New England Patriots in the AFC East.

The AFC is both a gauntlet and wide open—there’s no clear team to beat in the conference, and the No. 1 seed is very much in play—especially after Denver fell at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

That top seed would likely mean more to the Bills than any other AFC team, given what January weather in Buffalo is usually like.

9. They seemed to struggle to get going in the victory over the Browns, but they found a way. They can’t play that way this week against the Eagles … or they will pay.

8. Buffalo Bills

Their hopes of winning the AFC East for a sixth straight year remain alive. But barely beating the Browns isn’t a way to convince anyone they deserve it.

2. Buffalo Bills (Up 1)

Chance of making playoffs: 100%Chance of winning Super Bowl: 11%

The Bills were dragged into the mud by an excellent Browns’ defense, but ground out a win thanks to an excellent rushing performance from James Cook (82.5 grade; 6th). Cook carried the ball 16 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns, ripping off three runs of 10 yards or more while Josh Allen (88.7 grade; 3rd) and the passing game struggled.

Allen was pressured on 43.5% of his dropbacks, but credit still needs to be given for grinding out a win against a tough defense on the road. But, the Bills haven’t been all that convincing recently.

3. Buffalo Bills (11–4)

Last week’s ranking: No. 3Last week’s result: beat Browns, 23–20This week: vs. Eagles

Josh Allen now has more wins as a starter in his first eight seasons than either Russell Wilson or Tom Brady. And while wins are typically not a total QB stat, they say a lot when many of those wins are dependent on Allen becoming superhuman.

7. Buffalo Bills (11-4)Week 16 result: Beat the Browns 23-20Week 16 ranking: 5

Rookie of the year: Tight end Jackson Hawes

This is very close between Hawes and defensive tackle Deone Walker, who has started 14 games this season. The edge goes to Hawes, a fifth-round pick, for his significant impact in helping James Cook III deliver one of the best rushing seasons in team history (1,532 yards). Despite being drafted as a blocking tight end, Hawes has also emerged as a solid target for quarterback Josh Allen, catching 15 of 18 targets for 187 yards, 13 first downs and 3 touchdowns. He should receive an even bigger role moving forward.