We already know Chiefs/Bills will be another instant classic… the last five meetings between these two teams have been in Kansas City, but this will be Patrick Mahomes’ first career road playoff game. They met in Week 14 earlier this season in a game the Chiefs thought they won the game on a trick play, but Kadarius Toney was called for offsides. Bills won 20-17 in Kansas City. Stefon Diggs was shut down by L’Jarius Sneed and company; Diggs had zero production on 5 targets against Sneed (shadowed on 65% of his routes) and finished the day with 4 catches for 24 yards overall.
With Diggs being unable to get going in the passing game, Buffalo pivoted to targeting James Cook, who couldn’t be stopped. He finished the game with 5/83/1 receiving on top of his 10/58 on the ground. Cook will be a key factor for the Bills offense this Sunday, as the Chiefs are allowing the 5th most yards/carry to RBs through this past game. It’s a matchup to take advantage of.
It’s also worth noting that the Chiefs were short handed in that earlier game; they were missing Isiah Pacheco and their starting LT Donovan Smith, who will both be suiting up on Sunday. Having Isiah Pacheco back will be key for the Chiefs, as the Bills are bottom-10 in yards/carry allowed to RBs, receiving yards/game, and yards/reception. The Bills didn’t really have an answer for Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice in their Week 14 meeting, either… Rice went 7/72/1 and Kelce led the team in receiving with 6 catches for 83 yards. We haven’t seen Mahomes on the road in the playoffs, and the Bills have opened as 2.5 point favorites.