Kansas City at Buffalo in the Divisional Round!

[CSBill]

These teams have played each other so many times over the past four years it now feels like an in-division game and rivalry. They are so familiar with each other that there are no surprises or awe. Neither are not intimidated. They both have had their moments; the competitive "hate" of a good rivalry is a part of the sauce now. Add to that the iconic fanbases and two old-school football venues with snow and cold which makes for great TV.

 

And most important of all, the rivalry features two transcendent superstar quarterbacks--two of the best and most exciting players in all of sports (not just the NFL) to watch.

 

Sunday can't get here soon enough.

[RobbRiddick]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Yep and the reason Burrow can't quite break into that rivalry in the same way is he doesn't have a team with the same divisional dominance. Buffalo and Kansas City both have the best QB and the best coach (now the Hoodie has gone) in their divisions and I'd say by a distance. Whereas Burrow does not have the best Head Coach in his division (indeed I'd argue Taylor is the worst Head coach in the AFC North) and the gap Burrow to Lamar is not as big as Mahomes to Herbert or Allen to Tua. I know Burrow was hurt this year so possibly not fair to point out that Cincy didn't win the division, but we shouldn't forget that the last two years when the Bengals did win the division the Ravens were actually in first place and then Lamar got hurt and they fell away. 

 

And that divisional dominance matters because it guarantees yearly match ups under the current scheduling model. I haven't crunched the numbers on this by the way but I actually think the Buffalo / KC rivalry which is obviously heightened now they have these two all timers at QB is probably one of the most common out of division match ups in the entire NFL going back 15/20 years. Since 2008 I can only think of three seasons (Rex's last season in 2016, Josh's rookie year in 2018 and I think 2019) where the Bills and Chiefs haven't met at least once and this will be the third time they have met twice. 

I don't care what Bengals fans say, the fact that a nobody came in and steered that offense pretty well made me lose a lot of respect for Burrow's 'brilliance'. He's obviously great, but all those people who were saying he's clearly number 2 behind Mahomes are dead wrong

6 hours ago, Beck Water said:

 

Aren't the betting odds currently Bills -2.5, which is basically saying it's a toss-up with a slight edge to the Bills for having home field advantage?

Of course that could change during the week when injury reports come out.

 

He appears to feel that the NFL is fixed:

During the Miami Week 18 game:

Sound like an objective observer, or like a Bills fan, to you?

 

Someone get this man laid for his own good

[Steptide]

As much as the world wants this match up, I hate it. Ya it's fun, but the thought of a loss to kc at home is terrible. People seem to be very confident we'll beat them, but this is still Andy Reid with patty Mahomes, and their defense is dominant this year 

[Punching Bag]

[newcam2012]

6 hours ago, Beck Water said:

 

Aren't the betting odds currently Bills -2.5, which is basically saying it's a toss-up with a slight edge to the Bills for having home field advantage?

Of course that could change during the week when injury reports come out.

 

He appears to feel that the NFL is fixed:

During the Miami Week 18 game:

Sound like an objective observer, or like a Bills fan, to you?

Just because someone is critical and or pessimistic doesn't make them any less of a fan. This is really flawed logic here. 

 

I'll use myself as an example. I'm extremely critical and often think for the worse. I don't have to tell anyone here this. No surprise here. Wish I wasn't this way but it's perhaps in my DNA. Perhaps, it because of the past trauma as a 50 year Bills fan. Maybe I'm suffering from PTSD  sort of speak. Who knows what's behind my thinking? 

 

Point is I'm a huge Bills fan. Live, eat, and sleep it sort of speak and within reason. I take Bills losses pretty hard. I've softened up a bit over the years with age.

 

Truthfully, all I want is one ring!!! I believe this would instantly adjust my thinking. Everything else would be gravy because my dream will have come true. 

 

I can't wait until Sunday. The Chiefs are very beatable but yet so formidable. I truly see this as a toss up game. Please Bills beat the Chiefs!!!

 

Go Bills.

Edited January 17 by newcam2012

[ToGoGo]

We won 3 of the last 4 games. Should have won the last playoff game. Mahomes cracked last loss. All of this on the road. 
 

Guys, don’t be surprised if the Bills whoop them. I think we’re due. 

[newcam2012]

6 hours ago, Generic_Bills_Fan said:

I’m poking around lookin just to see how off that 75% was and I’ve found 2 chiefs picks out of about 10 analysts 

Really no need to fact check it. It's off by a country mile. 

[Gregg]

8 hours ago, major said:

Call me crazy but I think we blow the chiefs out this Sunday night. Thinking 35-10. 

 

 

 

[Coach Tuesday]

Three words:  find a way.

[Gregg]

3 hours ago, chongli said:

 

Guy's constantly hyping up Miami, the Jets, and KC; and is happy when Buffalo struggles. Yet he professes to be a Bills fan. The guy is nuts for that, and many other reasons. He thinks everything is a conspiracy theory. Completely nuts and an attention seeker.

 

Hyping up the Jets? The hype stopped and reality set in 4 plays into the season. The Dolphins and Chiefs I get but the Jets were dead once Rodgers went down.

[newcam2012]

7 hours ago, SCBills said:

We need McDermott to coach his *** off on Sunday, especially if we don’t get some of these guys back. 
 

I know Josh Allen has to go up against a healthy, elite level defense in KC. 
 

I don’t know what Mahomes will have to face in Buffalo.  
 

I want to win, of course, but I’ll be sick if Mahomes comes in here.. in his first road playoff game.. and gets to play a beat up defense.  

Well the fact is the Bills defense is not healthy. Mahomes certainly won't get the best defense the Bills could have on display. Sucks, unfortunate, and sucks some more. Injuries always play a part in football. 

 

McD knows the Chiefs offense. He's been somewhat successful with his game plans. Unfortunately, not as much come playoff time. Hopefully, things change will the home field advantage. 

 

The next man up mentality has really been true with this Bills defense. Klein off his RV played remarkable well. Elam with a huge INT and Dorian Williams flashing. This is very encouraging. It will take a total team effort to win. 

 

The Chiefs team isn't as dominant as previous years. Yet, they are very scary with Mahomes and Jones anchoring their perspective sides. Not to mention their secondary is lights out. Reid will likely have a few tricks up his sleeve. 

 

On the other side, McD has done a superb job with his depleted D. Hopefully, it can continue. During the winning stretch his defense has been able to close the games. Gotta see it in this game; a huge playoff game. We all know this hasn't been the case. It's his nemesis if you will. Get the monkey off your back.

 

I believe McD is going to be pretty aggressive on offense. I can see him going for it on 4th downs. 

 

On defense, Mahomes is a blitz killer. The front four has to get pressure. Likely they can attack their tackles where they appear to be weaker. I wish I could say it's Von Miller time. How great that would be. Just can't see it happening.

 

Lastly, the Bills need McD not to blow it. I don't say this in a  sarcastic manner. 13 seconds has to be on everyone's mind. It's inevitable. McD was fortunate that the end of the half debacle didn't cost the team. That absolutely gave Pitt life as they were on life support. Making coaching mistakes are going to happen. I get that. However, coaching blunders just can't happen when the teams are so evenly matched. 

Edited January 17 by newcam2012

[The Wiz]

 

 

[PaattMaann]

Not loving more travel bans in OP...I am guessing this will disrupt practice/training room time/prep today/tomorrow. Just what we need going into this huge matchup with a depleted roster. 

 

 

18 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

Well the fact is the Bills defense is not healthy. Mahomes certainly won't get the best defense the Bills could have on display. Sucks, unfortunate, and sucks some more. Injuries always play a part in football. 

 

McD knows the Chiefs offense. He's been somewhat successful with his game plans. Unfortunately, not as much come playoff time. Hopefully, things change will the home field advantage. 

 

The next man up mentality has really been true with this Bills defense. Klein off his RV played remarkable well. Elam with a huge INT and Dorian Williams flashing. This is very encouraging. It will take a total team effort to win. 

 

The Chiefs team isn't as dominant as previous years. Yet, they are very scary with Mahomes and Jones anchoring their perspective sides. Not to mention their secondary is lights out. Reid will likely have a few tricks up his sleeve. 

 

On the other side, McD has done a superb job with his depleted D. Hopefully, it can continue. During the winning stretch his defense has been able to close the games. Gotta see it in this game; a huge playoff game. We all know this hasn't been the case. It's his nemesis if you will. Get the monkey off your back.

 

I believe McD is going to be pretty aggressive on offense. I can see him going for it on 4th downs. 

 

On defense, Mahomes is a blitz killer. The front four has to get pressure. Likely they can attack their tackles where they appear to be weaker. I wish I could say it's Von Miller time. How great that would be. Just can't see it happening.

 

Lastly, the Bills need McD not to blow it. I don't say this in a  sarcastic manner. 13 seconds has to be on everyone's mind. It's inevitable. McD was fortunate that the end of the half debacle didn't cost the team. That absolutely gave Pitt life as they were on life support. Making coaching mistakes are going to happen. I get that. However, coaching blunders just can't happen when the teams are so evenly matched. 

 

What did McD do at the end of the half in Pitt? 

Edited January 17 by PaattMaann

[eball]

Question:  when is the last time KC faced a top tier QB on the road and won?  They haven’t even done well against elite QBs at home.  This season they lost to Love at GB, lost to Allen at home, lost to Hurts at home…they beat Tua in Germany and at home, but we know who Tua is…

 

I just looked at their game splits and this Chiefs team is completely underwhelming.  They finished the regular season on a 5-5 “run” — winning their last two in unimpressive fashion against the Browning Bengals and Hockey Stick Chargers (when everyone was rested).

 

The last time Mahomes threw for 300 yards?  Against the Chargers in W7.

 

I think there is an overwhelming sentiment, because of who Mahomes and the Chiefs have been, that they are still an “elite” team.  Do we really believe that their win in an Ice Bowl against the quitting, stinking Fish means they are “back?”  I’d suggest they haven’t played a complete game since W7, and they really have no impressive victories at all this season.

 

And while we’re at it, let’s talk about turnovers.  The “turnover machine” Josh Allen-led Bills have turned it over 28 times through 18 games…the Chiefs have turned it over 29.

 

I get it, the Bills’ defense is injury ravaged and we’re all anxious because of our BBFS…but on paper this game doesn’t look like a “pick ‘em” at all.

 

I’ll never underestimate Mahomes or Kelce, and the Bills need to focus on continuing to shut down the run…but this is our time to end the Chiefs’ run.

 

Go Bills!!!

 

15 and 6, Babyyyyyy!!!!!

 

 

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

3 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

There’s an interesting article on the board from one of the sources indicating the Mahomes/Allen rivalry is becoming as important as Brady/Manning.

 

I would agree.

I don't know if it is there yet but it certainly has the pieces. Think about this: these teams will have played each other 7 times in the last 4 years (and are ensured to do so next year as well). That is practically a division rivalry. The last three have been one score games.

 

If the Allen Bills can beat the Mahomes Chiefs this weekend, then it is definitely the new era of Brady/Manning, and we can reasonably expect another five or so more years of it.

[Gregg]

Just now, WhitewalkerInPhilly said:

I don't know if it is there yet but it certainly has the pieces. Think about this: these teams will have played each other 7 times in the last 4 years (and are ensured to do so next year as well). That is practically a division rivalry. The last three have been one score games.

 

If the Allen Bills can beat the Mahomes Chiefs this weekend, then it is definitely the new era of Brady/Manning, and we can reasonably expect another five or so more years of it.

 

If they can't then it is looking more like a new Steelers vs Pats with Allen as Ben and Mahomes as Brady.

[GunnerBill]

48 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

Just because someone is critical and or pessimistic doesn't make them any less of a fan. This is really flawed logic here. 

 

I'll use myself as an example. I'm extremely critical and often think for the worse. I don't have to tell anyone here this. No surprise here. Wish I wasn't this way but it's perhaps in my DNA. Perhaps, it because of the past trauma as a 50 year Bills fan. Maybe I'm suffering from PTSD  sort of speak. Who knows what's behind my thinking? 

 

Point is I'm a huge Bills fan. Live, eat, and sleep it sort of speak and within reason. I take Bills losses pretty hard. I've softened up a bit over the years with age.

 

Truthfully, all I want is one ring!!! I believe this would instantly adjust my thinking. Everything else would be gravy because my dream will have come true. 

 

I can't wait until Sunday. The Chiefs are very beatable but yet so formidable. I truly see this as a toss up game. Please Bills beat the Chiefs!!!

 

Go Bills.

 

I believe you are a Bills fan. You are just a really emotional one (call it PTSD if you like) who lets your emotional response dictate your assessment of the team sometimes. That isn't meant as a criticism, because you can have an honest and decent conversation about it. 

 

Filthy Beast is a Dolphins fan and is here and on twitter trolling. This is at least his 3rd incarnation on this site. He is not a Bills fan. 

4 minutes ago, eball said:

Question:  when is the last time KC faced a top tier QB on the road and won?  They haven’t even done well against elite QBs at home.  This season they lost to Love at GB, lost to Allen at home, lost to Hurts at home…they beat Tua in Germany and at home, but we know who Tua is…

 

I just looked at their game splits and this Chiefs team is completely underwhelming.  They finished the regular season on a 5-5 “run” — winning their last two in unimpressive fashion against the Browning Bengals and Hockey Stick Chargers (when everyone was rested).

 

The last time Mahomes threw for 300 yards?  Against the Chargers in W7.

 

I think there is an overwhelming sentiment, because of who Mahomes and the Chiefs have been, that they are still an “elite” team.  Do we really believe that their win in an Ice Bowl against the quitting, stinking Fish means they are “back?”  I’d suggest they haven’t played a complete game since W7, and they really have no impressive victories at all this season.

 

And while we’re at it, let’s talk about turnovers.  The “turnover machine” Josh Allen-led Bills have turned it over 28 times through 18 games…the Chiefs have turned it over 29.

 

I get it, the Bills’ defense is injury ravaged and we’re all anxious because of our BBFS…but on paper this game doesn’t look like a “pick ‘em” at all.

 

I’ll never underestimate Mahomes or Kelce, and the Bills need to focus on continuing to shut down the run…but this is our time to end the Chiefs’ run.

 

Go Bills!!!

 

15 and 6, Babyyyyyy!!!!!

 

 

 

I am concerned while our defense is this beaten up. Because my logic is the Chiefs defense is gonna be tough to play. It has been all year. I think they have let up 30 or more once in 2 seasons. They are legit on defense. But that wouldn't worry me if we had all our defensive pieces (and I'm not even meaning Tre and Matt here) because I think we'd be capable of holding them. 

 

You need to give me one of Bernard (not happening) or Taron (feels 50/50 at best) for Sunday. If we have one of those guys up I just favour the Bills. If they are both down I worry Kelce will destroy us in the middle of the field and it won't matter that Mahomes has no good receivers because they will give Kelce 15 or 16 targets and move the ball. 

[dollars 2 donuts]

I’m sorry, but given all the injuries on D I am not enjoying any of this lead up.

 

I can’t stop thinking about this game, 24/7, and I can’t stop hoping and praying they get a reasonable number of these guys back on D.  I want this game so very badly. I’d be willing to go bald all over again just to have it.

 

Please somebody come to my house and bash my head in with a hammer.

 

Just also be sure to wake me up by 6:30 on Sunday. Shaving and sponge bathing me until I am awake again shall not be required of you, but if it is your thing you may feel free to consider it a bonus. 
 

Go Bills!

 

Edited January 17 by dollars 2 donuts

[mannc]

2 hours ago, CSBill said:

These teams have played each other so many times over the past four years it now feels like an in-division game and rivalry. They are so familiar with each other that there are no surprises or awe. Neither are not intimidated. They both have had their moments; the competitive "hate" of a good rivalry is a part of the sauce now. Add to that the iconic fanbases and two old-school football venues with snow and cold which makes for great TV.

 

And most important of all, the rivalry features two transcendent superstar quarterbacks--two of the best and most exciting players in all of sports (not just the NFL) to watch.

 

Sunday can't get here soon enough.

Other interesting connections: the Reid/McDermott history and the fact that KC drafted Mahomes with the pick they got from Buffalo…

[newcam2012]

19 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I believe you are a Bills fan. You are just a really emotional one (call it PTSD if you like) who lets your emotional response dictate your assessment of the team sometimes. That isn't meant as a criticism, because you can have an honest and decent conversation about it. 

 

Filthy Beast is a Dolphins fan and is here and on twitter trolling. This is at least his 3rd incarnation on this site. He is not a Bills fan. 

 

I am concerned while our defense is this beaten up. Because my logic is the Chiefs defense is gonna be tough to play. It has been all year. I think they have let up 30 or more once in 2 seasons. They are legit on defense. But that wouldn't worry me if we had all our defensive pieces (and I'm not even meaning Tre and Matt here) because I think we'd be capable of holding them. 

 

You need to give me one of Bernard (not happening) or Taron (feels 50/50 at best) for Sunday. If we have one of those guys up I just favour the Bills. If they are both down I worry Kelce will destroy us in the middle of the field and it won't matter that Mahomes has no good receivers because they will give Kelce 15 or 16 targets and move the ball. 

Gunner, what would be the plan B to try to limit Kelce's success? 

 

I am really afraid of Mahomes legs in this game. He can really make huge plays by extending plays and taking off. 

 

I really respect the KC D. Josh can almost be unstoppable at times and the Bills will need his best version vs that D. 

 

I will mention that the Bills O did pretty well vs a pretty tough Pitt D. Granted no Watt tremendously helped. I think that's the most or pretty close to the most their D has given up all season. 

 

Do you think this could be a Gabe game if he plays? 

 

Lastly, I'd like to discuss McD. Against Pitt, his number one priority was stopping the run. The pass threat was minimal. Thus, the Steelers were a pretty easy game plan for McD. 

 

However, the KC offense is a totally different animal for obvious reasons. Despite their offensive struggles they remain a dangerous team especially in the playoffs. Last year, they won it all while many of us thought they weren't that good. Wondering what kind of game plan McD has to stop Pacheco who didn't play last game, Kelce, Rice, and Mahomes? 

Edited January 17 by newcam2012