An update on the three teams battling the Ravens for the final wild-card spot
Buffalo Bills (9-6)
Pat Williams barely remembers the last time Buffalo made the playoffs, never mind played a meaningful game this late.
"Finally, it means something," said Williams, the hefty defensive tackle.
The Bills, however, aren't yet in the postseason for the first time since 1999, and they need help to get there. But few thought it would come to this after the Bills' 0-4 start.
"Tom Jackson, Michael Irvin, we were the joke," said cornerback Troy Vincent, referring to two ESPN broadcasters. "To think that your team has a shot of maybe playing in the postseason. Somebody in Vegas got rich."
Denver Broncos (9-6)
Do the Colts, who are locked into the third seed in the AFC, owe it to the other teams to play their starters the whole game against Denver tomorrow? Or should they do what's best for them?
"I've been getting calls from guys on other teams saying, `You've got to beat Denver,' " Colts tight end Marcus Pollard said. "But we've got to do what's best for our team."
Said Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey: "I'm preparing for Peyton [Manning] and every starter they have. If you're not preparing for Peyton, you might as well stay in the locker room."
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7)
Jack Del Rio has never set foot in the Oakland Coliseum as an NFL head coach.
It sure would be special if his Jaguars could win there tomorrow to make the playoffs. Del Rio, Jacksonville's second-year coach, grew up in nearby Castro Valley, and spent his Sundays as a child in the stadium rooting for the Raiders.
"I grew up a big Raider fan and always like to see them do well, except against us, of course," Del Rio said. "It's a great place for football. It's a special place to come back to, so I'm looking forward to it."
Compiled from wire reports.
According to the NFL's scenarios, the Ravens can clinch a playoff berth if: they win at home vs. Miami; and Buffalo loses at home to Pittsburgh; and Denver loses at home to Indianapolis; and Jacksonville loses or ties at Oakland.
