The AFC playoff landscape is unlike recent history this season, mainly because the Chiefs are not only not the Super Bowl favorite, but didn't even make the postseason. It's the first time in many years they weren't the unequivocal No. 1 seed, leaving many to believe the conference is open for the taking, creating a big opportunity for the Patriots.
Luckily for them, they're a young team, and the pressure isn't on them to deliver right away, especially since making the playoffs wasn't expected this year. The same cannot be said about Josh Allen and the Bills, whose championship window continues to narrow.
Because the Chiefs have been their biggest playoff competition over the past five years, their chances of going all the way this year without them on the schedule are a massive plus for Buffalo.
That means Allen has to lead his team to the Super Bowl, or big questions will be asked, as former Patriots (and short-time Bills) running back turned CBS NFL analyst Damien Harris stated during the discussion of the upcoming postseason.
Josh Allen is facing a make it or break it postseason, especially with the Patriots on the Bills' toes
To put it bluntly, Harris said what most people outside of Buffalo are thinking (again) about the reigning MVP and the Bills: they were unable to do much of anything over the past five years, having virtually no competition in the AFC East.
They have to deliver now, or else it's probably not going to happen, much to Patriots fans' delight.
"For Josh Allen: If it's not this year, when is it going to be?"@DHx34 and @PriscoCBS think this is the best chance for the Bills to make the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/m2cGBI91JN
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 5, 2026
Where's the lie?
Allen might be facing the most pressure he has faced in his entire career, and his head coach might be getting to a point of having to put up or shut up, or in other words, don't let the door hit you on the way out.
It all depends on how ownership feels and if they will be happy with what the team accomplishes this postseason, whether that's a Super Bowl appearance or not.
Can they perform under pressure? Will they disappoint again? It will be interesting to see how they fare, and it could give the Patriots a clue as to what's to come in 2026, which will, hopefully, be another great season in New England.