The Buffalo Bills travel to Arrowhead to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in what has become an ongoing AFC saga matchup.
There is never a dull moment when the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills are on the field against each other. While neither team has lived up to expectations this season, the Bills are a little worse off than the Chiefs. While the Chiefs appear to be getting Nick Bolton back in the lineup, they will be missing an essential part of their offense, Isiah Pacheco. In addition to Pacheco, Donovan Smith, Drue Tranquill, and Bryan Cook are all out for the game. It was also surprising to see Patrick Mahomes on the injury list this past week.
I guess we will have to see how everything is at game time. The Chiefs are still eyeing the playoffs; they have been down this road before. They must improve their red zone play and stop the uncharacteristic mistakes we see on the offense. Even Mahomes has not been immune to it. There is always something about playing the Bills, whether during the season or in the playoffs, that is a different beast for the Chiefs.
The Bills look good injury-wise, but at 6-6 coming off a bye week, they need to secure a win at Arrowhead. They’ve done it before, but if they want to ensure they have a chance to make it into the playoffs, they need all the wins they can muster. They have lost three of their last four games, and it will be difficult against a Chiefs team coming off a loss to the Green Bay Packers. Josh Allen will need a game with no interceptions; the Bills do not need to give the defense for the Chiefs any extra ammunition. They do not need to give themselves anything else to deal with, considering what has occurred since their game with the Eagles. Hopefully, the spotlight on off-field issues will not have distracted the coaches and players too much.
Remember that the Bills have won the last two regular-season meetings, but the Chiefs have won the past two postseason games.
Things that make you wonder.
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Game Info
Date: Sunday, December 11, 2023
Start time: 4:25 p.m. EST
Location: Kansas City, MO
Stadium: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
TV Info: CBS, NFL+, Sunday Ticket
Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of DraftKings.
Point Spread: KC -1 (-110), BUF +1 (-110)
Moneyline: KC (-118), BUF (-102)
Over/Under: O/U 49 (-110)
The Chiefs are favorites to win, but that sentiment does not mean much this season. Buffalo is always a formidable opponent during the season. This game could go either way.
What To Watch For
Andy Reid believes in Clyde Edwards-Helaire‘s ability on the field, and Deneric Prince should be elevated from the practice squad. Hopefully, CEH will be able to restore faith in the running backs for Chiefs fans, and perhaps we will get at least one play with Prince in the lineup to see how he is looking. Mahomes’ injury has not stopped him from full practice over the past week. Fans will also be happy to see Jerick McKinnon back on the field.
The connection between Mahomes and his receivers has been iffy all season. It is something coaches and the fans will be keeping an eye on. Will the Chiefs offense finally get back into the groove they have been missing all season? Let’s hope so for the sake of the playoffs. Also, let’s not forget about Travis Kelce. The Chiefs are going to need him to ball out like always, although if the Bills decide to cover him more because they know he is the go-to guy for Mahomes is something we will have to wait and watch for.
Joe Brady replaced Ken Dorsey as offensive coordinator for the Bills, and while they beat the Jets and lost to the Eagles, it appears it was the correct decision. Now they can see that offense go up against Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. Speaking of defense, the Bills need to make Mahomes uncomfortable; they need to put pressure on him while still being solid in their coverage. We have seen the Broncos and Packers try it and be successful. Now Buffalo needs to try it and see what happens. When you combine that with the receiving woes of the Chiefs, the Bills might have a game plan.
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