Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills Preview
Game Information
The Kansas City Chiefs, currently boasting a perfect record of 9-0, will face the Buffalo Bills, who stand at 8-2, in an exciting matchup set for Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EST, broadcasted on CBS. The Bills are favored by 2.5 points according to BetMGM NFL odds. Historically, the Bills lead the series with a record of 29-25-1, and against the spread, the Chiefs are 5-4 while the Bills are 6-4. Their last encounter was memorable, as the Chiefs edged out the Bills 27-24 in the AFC divisional playoffs on January 21 at Orchard Park. Last week, the Chiefs narrowly defeated the Denver Broncos 16-14, and the Bills secured a 30-20 victory against the Indianapolis Colts.
Offensive and Defensive Stats
In terms of offensive rankings, the Chiefs find themselves at 10th overall, with a 21st ranking in rushing, 9th in passing, and an 11th place finish in scoring. On defense, they are performing remarkably well, ranking 4th overall, 3rd against the rush, 14th against the pass, and tied for 5th in scoring defense. The Bills’ offense sits at 14th overall, with rankings of 15th in rushing, 13th in passing, and jointly 3rd in scoring. Defensively, they rank 18th overall, 15th against the rush, 18th against the pass, and 9th in scoring defense. Notably, the Chiefs have a turnover differential of minus-4, while the Bills excel with a plus-13.
Key Players to Watch
For the Chiefs, keep an eye on wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who has remarkably thrived since being traded from Tennessee for a conditional fifth-round pick. In his first three games with Kansas City, he has accumulated 14 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. His presence is significant, as it has allowed other players, such as tight end Travis Kelce, to perform exceptionally. On the Bills’ side, linebacker Terrel Bernard, who missed the previous playoff meeting due to an ankle injury, is critical. His absence was felt in the last game where the Chiefs managed 146 rushing yards and saw Kelce score twice.
The Vital Quarterback Duel
The key highlight of this matchup is the showdown between elite quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Over their previous seven meetings, Mahomes holds a slight edge with a record of 4-3, totaling 2,024 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions, alongside 219 rushing yards and a touchdown. On the other hand, Allen has posted 1,801 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, three interceptions, 393 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns.
Injury Updates
Injury updates for the Chiefs indicate that wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is expected to make his return following a multi-week absence. Running back Isiah Pacheco (ankle) and defensive end Charles Omenihu (ACL) participated in practice but are not projected to play. For the Bills, rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) has been ruled out, and Amari Cooper is working his way back from injury. Notably, linebacker Matt Milano (torn left biceps) is practicing again but won’t be available for this game.
Series Context
The series history shows the Bills have won their last three regular-season games against the Chiefs, while the latter has triumphed in the last three playoff encounters. Since Sean McDermott took over as the head coach of the Bills, both teams have split their last eight overall meetings, including playoffs. Since 2012, the Chiefs have managed to win four consecutive games at Buffalo, and overall, Kansas City leads the playoff series against Buffalo 4-2, dating back to their 1967 encounter.
Team Statistics and Trends
For the Chiefs, this season marks their joint best start in franchise history, tied with the 2003 and ’13 teams. They’ve achieved a remarkable 15-game winning streak, the longest in the NFL since the Packers’ 19-game stretch during 2010-11. Tight end Kelce is on the verge of milestones, needing just 15 yards to surpass Antonio Gates for the third-most receiving yards by a tight end in NFL history. Conversely, for the Bills, winning at least eight of their first ten games has occurred for the eighth time in their franchise’s history and for the first time since 1993. They have notably won seven home games in a row, consolidating their stronghold at Orchard Park.
Fantasy Insight
For those engaged in fantasy football, Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt is primed for a productive game, having surpassed 100 yards from scrimmage in his last two outings. The Bills’ run defense has shown vulnerability, allowing over 120 yards rushing in six separate games this season. This matchup promises excitement and could have significant playoff implications as both teams aim for supremacy.