If some extraterrestrial life form beamed down to our couches and wondered why we human beings like the NFL so much — well, we’d be obliged to show them the 9-0 Kansas City Chiefs and 8-2 Buffalo Bills. The Bills are hosting Sunday’s clash as a slight favorite, but the safe bet is that this game will dominate the football universe come Monday morning.
How to watch Chiefs at Bills
This rivalry will partially define this generation of the NFL. Last year’s playoff meeting was thrilling — neither team was ever up by more than seven points, the lead was exchanged five times, and it came down to a missed field goal. That was somehow not their only instant classic of 2023 — remember when Travis Kelce’s frantic lateral to Kadarius Toney was called back, taking an improbable game-winning touchdown off the board?
How about the two games before those? The 2022 regular season clash at Arrowhead was decided by a Dawson Knox touchdown with 1:04 to play. And the 2021 Divisional Round edition was Game of the Century material — Buffalo took the lead with 13 seconds left, Kansas City marched 44 yards to force overtime, and the Kelce overtime score prompted an eventual rule change.
This is top-shelf stuff. Sunday’s installment has the recognizable beats — Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen leading two AFC inner-circle title contenders. But there are a few wrinkles that make this one especially cool. The Chiefs, of course, are going for an undefeated season. Kansas City acquired star veteran DeAndre Hopkins midseason, and Buffalo brought in Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper. Allen is on pace for the fewest interceptions of his pro career; Mahomes is on pace for the most of his.
The defenses are both in the top 10 in points allowed. Chiefs pass rushers Chris Jones and George Karlaftis are among the best one-two punches off the edge. The Bills tout a top-heavy pass rush and are tied for fourth in turnover rate.
Chiefs-Bills games seem to make new types of abstract art out of win-probability charts. Sunday’s game is the undisputed headliner of Week 11.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills odds
Expert picks for Chiefs vs. Bills
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(Photo of Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes: Jay Biggerstaff / USA TODAY Sports)
