The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs enter Sunday’s clash in Buffalo as the fifth and seventh seeds in the AFC, respectively.
That puts the traditional powers closer to the outskirts of the conference playoff chase than the top, though the Bills (5-2) and Chiefs (5-3) expect to keep surging.
They’d love to defeat the other, of course, but realize there still will be half a season left after the showdown.
“Over the years there’s been some great battles between the teams, and it’s going to be no different this weekend,” Bills safety Jordan Poyer said. “Two good teams going at it, and we’re excited for the opportunity. Excited for this matchup.”
Sunday marks the 10th meeting between Buffalo and Kansas City since the 2020 season, including playoff games.
While the Bills are 4-1 against the Chiefs in the regular season over that span, Kansas City has prevailed in each of the four postseason contests. The latest: A 32-29 home victory in the AFC Championship game last season.
Quarterbacks Josh Allen of the Bills and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs have generated plenty of big moments during the rivalry. Allen has accounted for 24 total touchdowns against four interceptions in the past nine meetings while averaging 255.6 yards through the air. That compares to 22 scores, seven picks and 273.9 passing yards per game for Mahomes.
While memories persist, Allen finds it’s best to set them aside.
“Every game is different; every year is different. Everything presents itself in a different way,” Allen said. “Nothing that happened last year, the year before or the year before that carries over or matters this week.”
Kansas City has welcomed the return of wide receivers Xavier Worthy (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (suspension) in recent weeks but receiver Marquise Brown did not practice on Wednesday along with running back Isiah Pacheco (knee), who was injured last week and will likely miss the Bills game.
After sputtering offensively and losing their first two games of the season, the Chiefs have won five of six behind a jelling attack. Kansas City is averaging 415.8 offensive yards and 278.2 passing yards per game since Week 4, tops in the NFL.
Bills defensive end Michael Hoecht was also coming off a suspension in Week 8. He joined fellow end Greg Rosseau in forcing a fumble and was part of a defensive effort that saw seven players contribute at least a half a sack in a 40-9 road rout of Carolina.
The defense may get a boost on Sunday. Linebackers Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano have missed games this season but both participated fully in practice on Wednesday.
James Cook rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries to earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Kansas City overcame an uneven first half to defeat visiting Washington 28-7 on Monday. Mahomes sidestepped a pair of first-half interceptions to throw for 299 yards and three touchdowns, while Kareem Hunt ran for another score.
The Chiefs bolstered their defensive line this week, signing Mike Pennel — a tackle who spent 2019-20 and 2023-24 with the Chiefs — after being released by Cincinnati.
Kansas City is 1-1 in true road games and will visit fellow AFC West contender Denver following a Week 10 bye.
Mahomes said the team embraces the challenge of playing on the road, especially Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium.
“It’s cool whenever you step on that football field and everybody’s against you, and you know you just have your brothers behind you,” he said. “It takes everybody, and I think it’s just been special that we’ve been able to do that, play these road games and win these games.”
