Arrowhead Pride
In what has been one of the NFL’s premier rivalries, the 5-3 Kansas City Chiefs are taking on the 5-2 Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
This AFC showdown (which will be available to the entire country on CBS) will feature two of the league’s best quarterbacks — Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen — in what is expected to be one of the regular season’s best games. Kansas City needs a win to keep pace in the AFC West and stay alive for the No. 1 seed. Buffalo needs a victory to keep up with the New England Patriots in the AFC East.
While the Bills have recently gotten the better of the Chiefs in the regular season — holding a 4-1 record in their the last five matchups — Kansas City has prevailed when it matters most: in the playoffs, where it has won four straight. This game will likely be decided by only a few plays.
This rivalry is built upon the emergence of Mahomes and Allen as two of the league’s top quarterbacks. Last season, Allen won his first MVP award — but this year, Mahomes looks like he’s on a quest for his third.
In 2025, Mahomes has accumulated 2,099 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and a 103.1 passer rating — while Allen has recorded 1,560 yards with 14 touchdowns and a 103.6 rating. Both are in the midst of elite seasons they guide their offenses toward the playoffs. In the games between them, Mahomes holds a 5-4 edge — and these games typically come down to the fourth quarter. Sunday’s contest should be no different.
This season, Buffalo’s defense has taken a step back — largely due to its run defense. The Bills have allowed 150 rushing yards per game, which is second-worst in the league behind the Cincinnati Bengals.
A depleted defensive front will be without defensive tackles Ed Oliver (now on the team’s Reserve/Injured list) and DaQuan Jones (who has been declared out for Sunday) may be susceptible to Kansas City’s ninth-ranked rushing offense.
While many of the Chiefs’ rushing yards have come from Mahomes’ legs, Kansas City’s offensive line and running backs have performed well in recent weeks. Running back Isiah Pacheco and left tackle Josh Simmons are listed as out for the game, but running backs Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith could be poised for breakout games. The savvy veteran has looked better week by week, while the rookie has been working his way into the Chiefs’ offense one step at a time.
Kansas City could also benefit from the return of its lead mauler: left guard Trey Smith, who missed last week’s matchup with back spasms but has a chance to play. The Chiefs would be wise to empty the toolbox in the ground game: not only zone looks, but also power, counter, trap and pin-and-pull plays.
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