As the 2025 NFL regular season reaches its conclusion, the Buffalo Bills face several important considerations entering their Week 18 matchup against the New York Jets.
The contest represents Buffalo’s final regular-season appearance at Highmark Stadium this year, but the most closely watched storyline centered on the availability of the team’s franchise quarterback, Josh Allen.
Speculation surrounding Allen’s status intensified following Buffalo’s Week 17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, during which the reigning MVP aggravated a lingering foot injury.
Allen was absent from practice sessions on both Wednesday and Thursday, prompting questions about whether the Bills might elect to rest their quarterback with playoff positioning already secure. That uncertainty was addressed decisively on Friday.
Appearing on WGR-AM, Bills head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that Allen will start the regular-season finale.
“He’ll be good to go for the game, and we’ll take it one day at a time,” McDermott said. With that announcement, Allen is set to extend his consecutive starts streak to 121 regular-season games, or 134 total appearances when postseason contests are included.
Allen’s durability has become a defining feature of his career. After missing four games as a rookie in 2018, he has started every contest since Week 2 of that season.
Among active quarterbacks, only Philip Rivers recorded a longer consecutive starts streak when factoring in playoff games, reaching 255 prior to his retirement. For Buffalo, that consistency under center has been central to its sustained success in recent years.
Injury concerns complicate Buffalo’s Week 18 outlook
While Allen’s availability provides clarity on offense, the Bills are navigating significant challenges on the defensive side of the ball. McDermott confirmed that three defensive starters will be unavailable for the season finale.
Linebacker Terrel Bernard was ruled out after suffering a calf injury against Philadelphia, forcing Buffalo to adjust its linebacker rotation. In Bernard’s absence, Shaq Thompson is expected to assume a larger role.
Safety Jordan Poyer will also miss Week 18. His hamstring injury occurred in Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns, when he exited late in the game after registering a half-sack on quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Poyer has not returned to action since that contest.
Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones remains sidelined as well. Jones has dealt with a calf issue for several weeks, and reports indicate the injury was aggravated during the Browns game, resulting in consecutive absences to close the regular season.
Beyond the confirmed absences, Buffalo continues to monitor additional health concerns. Defensive end Joey Bosa is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury that has lingered since late November.
Despite the setback, Bosa has appeared in 15 games this season, producing 29 tackles, five sacks, five forced fumbles, and two passes defended. Tight end Dalton Kincaid is also questionable after missing Week 17 due to a knee injury that has already sidelined him for five games in 2025.
The decision to start Allen despite these injury concerns reflects Buffalo’s intent to maintain offensive continuity entering the postseason.
Last season, the Bills adopted a more cautious approach, starting Allen in the finale only briefly before removing him after one snap. Whether Week 18 follows a similar pattern remains uncertain.
What is clear is that Buffalo enters the final week of the regular season balancing preparation with preservation.
As injuries accumulate, particularly on defense, the Bills must weigh short-term risks against long-term postseason objectives. The effectiveness of that balance will soon be tested as Buffalo turns its attention toward playoff football.
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