The Bills facing the Chiefs has become an annual event, one that usually has the top seed in the AFC very much in the balance.
Not this season.
Not only is Buffalo 6-6 and carrying long odds to even make the playoffs, but Kansas City is also down a bit, dropping three of their last five and sitting third in the AFC at 8-4.
Still, we know the headliners and that’s what always makes the match-up between these two teams must-see TV.
And just because there’s a different feel entering the 2023 version of this rivalry, don’t think we haven’t got a lot to talk about.
Let’s dive into what’s on tap.
Wild Week at One Bills Drive
Few things could steer attention away from Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes sharing a field again, but the Bills off-the-field drama certainly did just that this week.
It began with the team addressing Von Miller’s arrest during the bye week, which came with Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott indicating that as the legal process plays out, Miller will likely take the field.
Then there was the three-part series written about McDermott by Tyler Dunne on GoLongTD.com.
While the overarching theme was that McDermott’s flaws will hold the Bills back from ever achieving their ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl, one part of the piece popped more than the rest.
A story of how during a team meeting at training camp in 2019, McDermott used how the terrorists carried out the 9/11 attacks as a way to illustrate how communication and teamwork can be effective.
The Bills head coach addressed the story late Thursday afternoon and again Friday morning, saying he instantly apologized in 2019 for how he came across, did so again in front of the team later that day, and then also readdressed it Thursday night with the current team.
Regardless of what you may think of McDermott, the story, or even how the Bills are handling the Miller situation, it’s fair to wonder how all this outside noise will affect things come game time?
General Manager Brandon Beane said Friday he believes the team will rally around their head coach.
I tend to think they’ll more so rally around the reality that it’s do-or-die time for their postseason hopes.
Anything but inspired football the rest of the way won’t cut it against the caliber of opponents on the schedule, beginning in KC.
Allen and Mahomes in Spotlight
Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are arguably the two best quarterbacks in the entire NFL.
Duh.
However, that doesn’t mean they don’t make mistakes.
Both Allen and Mahomes are top ten in the league in completion percentage, yards, touchdown passes, and QB rating, but they also are both on pace to throw more interceptions than any year of their career.
Still, they continue to holster the rare ability to do what no one else can do – except maybe their counterpart Sunday afternoon.
That’s what makes them great and that’s what makes all the numbers you throw out complete irrelevant.
Allen has outdueled Mahomes the last two regular season meetings, eclipsing 300+ passing yards and tossing three TDs in each Bills win.
It’s a different defense, though, that the Chiefs are rolling with this season.
KC Strength Sliding to Other Side
It seems wild to say when Mahomes is still at QB, but the Chiefs are really being carried by their defense this season.
They’re fourth in the NFL in yards allowed (297.7) and points allowed (17.3) per game.
While the KC offense has only scored more than 20 points in half their games, the defense has held their opponent to 20 or less in 8 of their 12 games.
They can get after the QB, 6th in the NFL with 39 sacks.
That’s led by George Karlaftis with 8, followed by Chris Jones at 7.5, and Michael Danna at 6.5.
One thing they don’t do a lot of Is force turnovers, just 14 takeaways on the year.
Still, L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie are very good corners, with McDuffie really a versatile weapon used as a slot corner who will blitz.
They will be undermanned a bit with LB Drue Tranquill and S Bryan Cook already ruled out due to injury.
Little Support Beyond the Swifty
I think we’re starting to get the answer we were looking for last season after the Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins.
Who is going to be a dynamic playmaker beyond Travis Kelce?
While Andy Reid and Co. certainly made it work en route to another ring with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, and Mecole Hardman, the same can’t be said in 2023.
Kelce remains elite, but beyond that there’s been little help from pass catchers.
Second round rookie Rashee Rice has definitely shown flashes, but the reality is he’s still only had one career 100+ yard game, just four games with 5+ catches, and eclipsed 60+ receiving yards four times as well.
And beyond those two it’s rough.
Justin Watson is third on the team in receiving yards.
Valdes-Scantling has 17 receptions in 12 games, a season known more for his big drops than plays.
Last year’s second round pick Skyy Moore 244 yards in 12 games, Toney 139 yards in 11 games.
It’ll be interesting to see how McDermott chooses to defend *this* version of the KC offense, one that’s undermanned and has let down their Superman QB a lot.
On the Line
BUF (+1)
O/U: 48.5
Injury Report
BUF
QUESTIONABLE: TE Dawson Knox (wrist), CB Kaiir Elam (ankle)
KC
OUT: RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder), OL Donovan Smith (neck), LB Drue Tranquill (concussion), S Bryan Cook (ankle)
The Bills and Chiefs are set to kick things off from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City at 4:25 p.m. eastern.