NFL DIVISIONAL ROUND GAME 4: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Potentially our best game of the NFL Divisional Round is our last as the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills renew their postseason rivalry for the first time in Orchard Park, N.Y.
This is 55th meeting between the two franchises, with the Bills leading the all-time series 29-24-1 going all the way back to the original AFL season. This will be the sixth postseason matchup between them with Kansas City holding a 3-2 advantage there, including two consecutive victories in the playoffs. Buffalo, however, has won their last two contests with KC, both in the regular season. The last came on Dec. 10 of this year in a 20-17 victory in Arrowhead. Josh Allen was 23 of 42 passing for 233 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the win. He rushed 10 times for 32 yards and a score. James Cook had 10 carries for 58 yards. He added five receptions for 83 yards and a TD.
In the loss, Patrick Mahomes was 25 of 41 passing for 271 yards, one touchdown and one pick. Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed 11 times for 39 yards. Rashee Rice caught seven passes for 72 yards and a TD.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT BUFFALO BILLS (-2.5, O/U: 45.5)
Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y.
Broadcast: CBS
Kickoff: Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12-6)
Kansas City rediscovered its mojo in a frigid 26-7 win over the Miami Dolphins in a game that put multiple fans in the hospital due to the conditions. Patrick Mahomes was 23 of 41 passing for 262 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions in the victory. He scrambled twice for 41 yards. Isiah Pacheco rushed 24 times for 89 yards and a score. Rashee Rice caught eight passes for 130 yards and a TD. Travis Kelce hauled in seven balls for 71 yards and his girlfriend enjoying the game caused a country-full of moronic dads, Brads and Chads to rend their garments in disgust. The defense held the Dolphins to just 76 yards rushing, picked off Tua Tagovailoa once and sacked him twice.
BUFFALO BILLS (12-6)
In another horrifically cold game, the Bills dispatched the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-17 in a game that was never in doubt. Josh Allen was 21 of 30 passing for 203 yards, three touchdowns and no picks in the win. He rushed eight times for 74 yards and a score. James Cook had 18 carries 79 yards. Dalton Kincaid caught three passes for 59 yards and a TD. Khalil Shakir had three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown. Dawson Knox caught a nine-yard TD. The defense held the Steelers to 106 yards on the ground, picked off Mason Rudolph once and sacked him once.
THE PICK
It’s time. There’s no potential bad matchup in the AFC Championship (as long as the Baltimore Ravens get their job done), but I’d love to see Buffalo get in there with the Super Bowl on the line. Allen vs Lamar Jackson, who doesn’t want that? Probably Mahomes, but I don’t think he’ll be able to stop it. Bills 27, Chiefs 24
Last week
Straight up: 2-4
Against the spread: 3-3
Season
Straight up: 190-88
Against the spread: 176-102
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