The Bills are positioned for an unusually early clinching of the AFC East, but improving their playoff seeding is the bigger goal.

The rationale is that the worst the Bills can finish is 9-8. If Jets or Patriots lose again, they won’t be able to get to nine wins. If the Dolphins lose twice, they’d be 4-8 and could still match the Bills at 9-8, but the Bills have the tiebreaker from sweeping the season series.

The Bills will enjoy a well-earned bye this week, but there's still plenty at stake when it comes to the AFC East crown.