In Week 16, the Buffalo Bills managed to secure a close 24-22 win against the struggling Los Angeles Chargers, narrowly maintaining their chances for the playoffs. Now, the Bills might receive an additional lift with the comeback of cornerback Kaiir Elam, a former first-round pick, from injury as they prepare to face the New England Patriots in Week 17. “The #Bills have activated former first-round pick CB Kaiir Elam from IR. He had been dealing with an ankle injury,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday.
While the return of Kaiir Elam to the Bills’ lineup might appear promising for their upcoming Week 17 clash against the Patriots, it’s essential to temper expectations. Elam, the 23rd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has struggled to make an impact during his initial two seasons in the NFL. In 16 games played over two seasons, he has only managed two interceptions and four defended passes. His contributions this year have been limited to just three games due to a combination of injuries and underwhelming performance.
However, considering the considerable number of injuries suffered by the Bills’ defense, especially in the secondary, the return of any healthy player is a welcome addition as they approach the final two games of the regular season. Their presence becomes even more critical if the team secures a spot in the NFL playoffs.
Bills playoff scenarios
After experiencing a turbulent mid-season phase, Josh Allen and the Bills have managed to stabilize and position themselves strongly for a potential playoff berth, possibly even vying for the top spot in the AFC East.
For Buffalo to secure a playoff spot in Week 17, they must secure a win themselves and have two of the following teams—Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, or Jacksonville Jaguars—suffer losses. Alternatively, the Bills can clinch a playoff spot if the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, and either the Steelers or Bengals face defeat.
Regarding their chances to win the AFC East, Buffalo currently trails the Miami Dolphins by two games with two games remaining. However, a Week 17 loss for the Dolphins against the Baltimore Ravens would set the stage for a crucial Week 18 showdown between the Bills and Dolphins for the division title.
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