/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73756789/philosoraptor.0.0.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,800&ssl=1 "Philosoraptor’s Corner: How did the Giants get here?")
How the Bills could make history after their bye week
The Buffalo Bills came soaring into their bye week during NFL Week 13 riding a six-game winning streak to a 9-2 record.
They are preparing to host the 5-6 San Francisco 49ers for Sunday Night Football, a team that has dealt with some injuries to key players throughout the season.
The Niners could be without stars like quarterback Brock Purdy, offensive tackle Trent Williams, and defensive end Nick Bosa.
While their squad is desperate for a win, a Buffalo victory could make history for the franchise.
In more ways than one.
The Bills are four games ahead of the second-place AFC East squad and division rival Miami Dolphins, who will be playing the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving Thursday. Buffalo beached them in both head-to-head matchups this season and owns the tie-breaker.
If Miami loses to Green Bay and Buffalo beats San Francisco, the Bills will also win their fifth straight division crown.
That would be something that has never previously been accomplished since the team was first founded in 1960.
The franchise did notably win four straight AFC East titles from 1988 to 1991, the final two of which included trips to the Super Bowl.
It’s also worth noting that the club has never lost coming out of their bye week under head coach Sean McDermott. And while a win is never fully guaranteed, the team does have a good prior track record in this situation.
That and their current regular season win streak aren’t the only ones on the line, however. Buffalo has also won six straight matchups against San Francisco.
QB Josh Allen will also have a chance to make more history in this game against a team he rooted for growing up in Firebaugh, CA.
Allen is currently tied with the Bills’ most storied quarterback in the team’s history, Jim Kelly, for the most touchdowns in the franchise’s history (244).
Per Tankathon, Buffalo has the fifth-easiest remaining schedule in the league this season, which means Allen will have plenty of time across the six regular season contests left to add to that number while entering his prime at age 28.
He’ll also have a chance to round out a strong campaign and potential MVP-caliber year just as the Bills will have a chance to bid for the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the AFC Playoff picture in facing the Niners, Rams, Lions, Patriots (twice), and Jets.
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