The Buffalo Bills missed the playoffs 17 straight seasons, but on Sunday, they return to the NFL's grand stage against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Unfortunately, star running back LeSean McCoy might not be able to play.
In Buffalo's Week 17 victory over the Miami Dolphins, McCoy was forced to leave with a sprained ankle. While the prognosis is not as bad as it initially appeared, Buffalo's starting tailback will be a game-time decision on Sunday.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter:
Article Continues BelowBills’ RB LeSean McCoy, nursing a sprained ankle, is expected to be a “game-time decision” and a “close call” for Sunday’s playoff game against Jacksonville, according to a source.
Losing McCoy would be a huge blow to Buffalo's offense as they take on one of the most formidable defenses in the NFL. The nine-year veteran rushed for 1,138 yards while compiling 448 through the air this season, scoring a total of eight touchdowns. His versatility out of the backfield regularly causes matchup problems for Buffalo's opponents, opening up opportunities for his teammates.
Buffalo barely snuck into the playoffs with a 9-7 record thanks to a series of wild card tiebreakers. They easily have the worst point-differential of any playoff team at -57.
If McCoy has to sit out, Mike Tolbert and Marcus Murphy will likely receive the bulk of the carries. Murphy only played in the Bills' finale against Miami, rushing for 41 yards on seven attempts.
Buffalo isn't the only team in this matchup breaking a long playoff drought. Jacksonville last reached this stage in 2007, winning a wild card game over the Pittsburgh Steelers before falling to the New England Patriots. They haven't hosted a playoff game since January 23rd, 2000, losing to the rival Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game, 33-14. That season, all three of the Jaguars' losses (two in the regular season, one in the postseason) came against Jeff Fisher's Titans.