ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills running back Boobie Dixon considers next Sunday's regular-season finale against the New York Jets to be the Bills' "Super Bowl" because of Buffalo's chance to help keep its AFC East rival out of the playoffs.
"We got something to play for now," Dixon said. "We been having something to play for -- that's our respect and our pride. We always want that. But to send them home packing -- that would be great.
"We're not going to the playoffs, so the Super Bowl is next week for us. I know we're gonna have a lot of guys jacked. We already know what's on the line."
Bills coach Rex Ryan came to the podium Sunday afternoon about 15 minutes after the Bills defeated the Dallas Cowboys 16-6 and a few minutes after the Jets took down the New England Patriots 26-20 in overtime. The Jets' win means they can earn a playoff berth with a win over the Bills next Sunday.
However, Ryan said he wasn't aware of the result of the Jets-Patriots game.
"I don't really feel anything about it," Ryan said when told of the outcome. "I know we're going to give our best shot. We'll see who's healthy, who's not, or whatever. But they know they're gonna get our best shot, without question.
"It's certainly not what we were wanting, but you know what? We're gonna step up and be professionals, just like we were this week. ... We don't want to be in a spoiler role, and I think when you look at that next year and everything else, we don't want to be in that role. We want to be in the role of 'we win and we're in' and everything else."
The Jets will not take the Bills lightly.
"It is going to be a bloodbath. It is going to be one of those games where they are physical, we are physical," Jets linebacker Calvin Pace said when asked after New York's win what Week 17 will be like. "It is going to be a tight, close game, and you just got to fight.
"It is going to be a tough one. They are not going to be playing for a playoff spot, but Rex will have those guys ready to go and fired up."
Pace discussed his long-held belief that the Week 17 matchup -- the team's second showdown with former coach Ryan -- would have major significance.
"I just knew it was going to come down to this last game versus Rex, man. It's just fate," Pace said. "Just knew how it was going to happen."
"Can't wait. Bart Scott voice," Jets safety Calvin Pryor said about facing Ryan with the playoffs on the line as he referenced former Jets linebacker Scott.
The Bills defeated the Jets 22-17 in Ryan's return to MetLife Stadium on Nov. 13.
That Nov. 13 disappointment would make a win over Ryan's squad and a corresponding wild-card berth all the more satisfying for the Jets.
"It's part of it, but it will be even more sweeter when that clock ticks down and we know we are going to be playing to extend our season," Pace said.
Bills defensive tackle T.J. Barnes, who began this season with the Jets and played for the Jets for two seasons (2013 and 2014) under Ryan, believes next Sunday's game is important because it is the Bills' final game of the season.
"It's just something that I'm looking forward to, seeing my old friends and teammates," Barnes said. "It's basically our Super Bowl for us, but I don't want to make it about me or anything. It's more about us just going out and finishing the season on a good note."
ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.