Chiefs-Bills NFL Divisional Round predictions from Arrowhead Pride

For the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ opening matchup of the postseason, our contributor panel unanimously picked the house workforce to win its Wild Card matchup in opposition to the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium. Our mixture prediction for a 26-17 win solely didn’t account for the Kansas Metropolis protection, permitting Miami only a landing within the workforce’s 26-7 victory. Nate Christensen’s 24-13 choose led the panel with solely 16 factors of error, whereas Ron Kopp and Rocky Magaña each turned in predictions that have been 18 factors off. For this sport, our readers largely noticed the sport the identical means we did — though about one in 9 predicted Kansas Metropolis can be one-and-done within the postseason.

Within the Divisional Spherical, the Chiefs face the Buffalo Payments at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Based on DraftKings Sportsbook, Buffalo is favored by 2.5 factors.

Let’s have a look at what the workers — and our readers — take into consideration the matchup.

Nate Christensen (@natech32)

This sport is brutally near me, primarily as a result of these groups share a lot DNA. Between the quarterbacks, coaches, roster administration, and scheme, these groups have a whole lot of similarities. Frankly, relying on the harm report for Buffalo possibly change this for me, however I am taking Buffalo. Every part I’ve watched all season between these groups leads me to consider they are a bit higher than this Chiefs workforce. Mix that with them being at residence, and I’ll lean Payments this week.

Payments 23, Chiefs 20

If we’re being brutally trustworthy, we’ve got to acknowledge this sport may go both means. That is precisely what is usually recommended by the purpose unfold, which signifies the groups are evenly matched on a impartial discipline. The 2 groups have additionally cut up the final six matchups between them. However I’ll have to provide Kansas Metropolis the sting as a result of the workforce is 2-0 in its latest postseason matchups in opposition to Buffalo. I simply suppose head coach Andy Reid is aware of precisely tips on how to win playoff video games — particularly in opposition to a well-known opponent that defeated his squad of their most up-to-date regular-season matchup.

Chiefs 24, Payments 17

This matchup has occurred time and again in latest NFL historical past, and I do not suppose any soccer fan is getting bored with seeing it. This battle will function two sides that know one another very properly, and that may result in extra of a slow-paced, grind-it-out sport. The Chiefs’ protection will surrender some performs, however so will Buffalo’s — and I see Patrick Mahomes discovering extra methods to get it finished than Josh Allen on Sunday night.

Chiefs 24, Payments 20

That is unknown territory for the Chiefs within the sense they don’t seem to be used to being underdogs within the playoffs. The final time these two groups performed, Payments operating again James Prepare dinner discovered early success in opposition to Kansas Metropolis’s entrance seven within the operating sport and on quick passes. I might count on the Payments to come back out with the same assault this time round. The actual fact defensive deal with Derrick Nnadi is banged up makes this job tougher for Kansas Metropolis. On high of this, the Chiefs have to seek out methods to include Josh Allen and shut down any lanes for him to run by means of after they carry strain. If they will do that, I feel the dream stays alive for yet another week.

Chiefs 23, Payments 20

Each groups are coming off of spectacular Wild Card Spherical showings; nevertheless, the physique of labor from this season reveals such inconsistency for each groups that neither fan base ought to really feel tremendous assured of how this one goes to go. If the Payments have been more healthy, I might most likely choose them on this one. Chiefs followers noticed down the stretch this season that the remainder benefit can play a key function. I feel Kansas Metropolis’s two-day benefit from their final sport and shorter harm report will give them the sting over a determined Payments workforce.

Chiefs 23, Payments 20

This yr feels prefer it’s the very best alternative for this Buffalo Payments workforce to lastly recover from the hump–and take down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs within the playoffs. Buffalo is as scorching as any workforce within the league, and so they’ve already bested the Chiefs this season. Swiftly although the Chiefs are quietly taking part in their finest all-around soccer of the yr. It is nonetheless not all the time fairly–however they lastly dedicated to the system of feeding Pacheco, Kelce, and Rice. If they will proceed to reduce the turnovers on offense and play championship-caliber protection, I feel the Chiefs can discover a strategy to get it finished in opposition to the Payments on Sunday. This may be the sport for the Chiefs’ protection to drive some turnovers and for the offense to capitalize on the Payments’ defensive accidents. Additionally they have that man Patrick Mahomes in his first-ever highway playoff sport.

Chiefs 27, Payments 21

For those who requested me in December, I am unsure I might have picked the Chiefs to win this sport. However, the vibes round Andy Reid’s crew have improved to the purpose the place it feels extra much like the Chiefs groups which have gone to a few Tremendous Bowls within the final 4 years. The composition of this workforce is way totally different— this model is constructed across the protection. I feel that serves them properly in opposition to Buffalo, the opponent from a number of the most epic video games in franchise historical past. Traditionally, these video games are shootouts, with every workforce needing only a cease or two to win the sport. I really feel a lot better about Spagnuolo’s squad getting these stops—and certain some turnovers— this yr. L’Jarius Sneed, Trent McDuffie, Chris Jones, Charles Omenihu, George Karlaftis—these guys are all peaking on the proper time, and it will be enjoyable to see them assault Josh Allen and the Payments receivers. On offense, the Chiefs now notice they simply should handle the soccer and feed Rashee Rice and Isiah Pacheco— however do not sleep on playoff Travis Kelce. It will not appear like previous matchups, however the Chiefs would possibly simply be capable of finish the Payments season as soon as once more.

Chiefs 30, Payments 24

I feel the Payments and Chiefs are so evenly matched that, for those who performed the sport 10 occasions, every workforce would win 5 of the matchups. After all, they’re solely taking part in it as soon as. A lot totally different from earlier seasons, I feel this one comes right down to (defensive) head coach Sean McDermott in opposition to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and whichever offense blinks first — and loses the turnover battle — will lose the sport. Contemplating this one is in Buffalo, and it has a real really feel of “now-or-never” for Josh Allen and the Payments, I feel they lastly discover a strategy to recover from the hump. This is to hoping I am fallacious and might make up for this incorrect prediction subsequent week.

Payments 23, Chiefs 19