Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview

The upcoming showdown features the Buffalo Bills (15-4) visiting the Kansas City Chiefs (16-2) on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EST, broadcasted by CBS/Paramount+. The Chiefs are favored by 1.5 points according to BetMGM NFL odds.

In terms of performance against the spread, the Bills have a record of 12-7, while the Chiefs stand at 8-10. The historical series between these two teams leans toward Buffalo, with a record of 30 wins, 25 losses, and one tie. The last encounter ended in a 30-21 victory for the Bills on November 17 in Buffalo. In their last games, the Bills narrowly defeated the Ravens 27-25, while the Chiefs secured a win against the Texans, finishing 23-14.

On the offensive side, the Bills rank 10th overall, with their rushing and passing offenses being 9th in both categories, and they boast the second-best scoring offense. Conversely, the Chiefs rank 16th overall, struggling more in rushing (22nd) but are slightly better in their passing game (14th) and scoring (15th). Defensively, the Bills are 17th overall, ranking 12th against the run and 24th against the pass, while scoring efficiency puts them tied for 11th. The Chiefs’ defense, on the other hand, ranks 9th overall, is 8th against the run, 18th versus the pass, and boasts the fourth-best scoring defense. The turnover differential heavily favors the Bills at plus-24 compared to the Chiefs’ plus-6.

Josh Allen, the Bills quarterback, is a key player to watch. He is having an impressive season and has historically elevated his game during the playoffs. His postseason record stands at 7-5, with an impressive tally of 23 touchdown passes against only four interceptions, along with seven rushing touchdowns, placing him second among quarterbacks in NFL playoff history. In three playoff matchups against the Chiefs, Allen has thrown for 802 yards, with seven passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, and just one interception.

For the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes is the player to keep an eye on. Mahomes has matched Joe Montana for the second-most playoff wins as a starting quarterback, with a remarkable record of 16-3. Notably, two of his three losses came in overtime during the AFC Championship game, and one was in the Super Bowl, where he has otherwise been victorious in three appearances.

A critical matchup will be between the Chiefs’ defensive front and Josh Allen, who successfully challenged them in their previous game by both rushing and passing. In their last meeting, Allen threw for 262 yards and one touchdown while rushing for another touchdown, specifically a 26-yard run that clinched a 30-21 win for the Bills.

In terms of injury updates, Bills’ safety Taylor Rapp is questionable after sustaining a hip injury. Linebacker Matt Milano’s situation is still uncertain following a hamstring injury he suffered last week. Starting cornerback Christian Benford is on concussion protocol but practiced on a limited basis. The Chiefs emerged from their game against Houston relatively healthy, and cornerback Jaylen Watson is back in action after recovering from an ankle injury.

The teams have recently developed a competitive rivalry since clashing in the AFC Championship on January 24, 2021. The Bills have dominated the regular season with four victories against Kansas City, while the Chiefs have won all three playoff encounters, including a significant 38-24 win that progressed them to the Super Bowl.

Looking at historical stats, the Bills have a mixed playoff record, being 4-2 in championship games, but they have not succeeded in nine road playoff games under coach Sean McDermott, making it a challenging trend they wish to break. The Bills have made playoff history by not turning the ball over in their last four playoff matches and maintain a notable plus-24 turnover differential this season.

The Chiefs continue their strong playoff presence, securing their seventh consecutive appearance in the AFC title game. Coach Andy Reid recently achieved his 300th career win, joining an elite group of coaches. Additionally, tight end Travis Kelce is on the verge of breaking several playoff records, needing just 226 receiving yards and three touchdown catches to surpass Jerry Rice’s records.

As both teams prepare for this high-stakes matchup, fans can expect an intense battle featuring star players and a clash of strategic defenses, making this one of the most anticipated games this postseason.