The Buffalo Bills will play for nothing in Week 18 when the team visit’s the New England Patriots.
Following Buffalo’s 40-14 rout of the New York Jets last week, the Bills locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC postseason. Buffalo can’t go up, nor can they move down the playoff seeding.
With that in mind, why bother playing any starters at all? Well, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott has some unique ideas about all that.
At the top, the name on everyone’s mind is quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen has made 114 consecutive starts. That’s the longest active streak in the NFL and the 13th longest streak for a QB in history.
McDermott admitted the plan is to keep that streak alive for Allen, meaning all he has to do is take the first snap of the game for the Bills. Per McDermott, Allen will play “very, very short amount of time” against the Patriots.
Regarding other starters, it will be circumstantial. McDermott mentioned the likes of safety Damar Hamlin (rib) has a chance to play. He has not for a few weeks, so it sounds like someone like Hamlin might get some reps to stay sharp.
Meanwhile, others will get time off.
McDermott’s full explanation on potential starters can be found below:
Asked #Bills head coach Sean McDermott about the importance of getting reps for some of the team’s injured players before the playoffs.
McDermott said there will be a blend of starters and depth-pieces for Sunday’s contest in New England. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/hafCZiiORU
— Ian Mills (@IanMillsTV) December 30, 2024