The AFC Championship is set as the Buffalo Bills will meet up with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Kansas City is in the AFC title game for the third consecutive season while the Bills appear in the championship for the first time since 1994.
The AFC title kicks off at 6:40 pm ET at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. Kansas City opens as a 3-point favorite over Buffalo, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – Buffalo Bills
Buffalo returns to the AFC title game after a pair of victories over the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens. Known for their offense, it was Buffalo’s defense that shined against Baltimore, holding the Ravens’ offense to three points.
Josh Allen has reenergized the Buffalo fanbase in his three seasons along the shores of Lake Erie. Allen put together a career season, throwing for 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns, both vast improvements from 2019. The gunslinger completed 23-of-37 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown in the divisional round win over the Ravens.
Running backs Devin Singletary (156 carries, 687 yards, two touchdowns) and Zack Moss (112 carries, 481 yards, four touchdowns) combined to rush for over 1,100 yards during the regular season. The Bills have abandoned the running game in the postseason, rushing for 128 yards in the first two games.
Stefon Diggs continues his assault on defensive backs into the postseason, hauling in 14 receptions for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Diggs led the NFL in receptions (127) and receiving yards (1,535) during the regular season.
What to Know – Kansas City Chiefs
The defending Super Bowl champions are in a familiar position as they look to punch their ticket to Super Bowl 55. Kansas City escaped the divisional round with a 22-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes exited the contest in the second half after suffering a head/neck injury that looked to daze him briefly. Mahomes went straight into concussion protocol, and backup Chad Henne finished off the victory for the Chiefs.
Mahomes’ status for Sunday is unknown, but it would be hard to imagine a scenario where we don’t see the All-Pro quarterback under center. Mahomes threw for 255 yards before departing and accounted for two touchdowns – one passing, one rushing.
Darrel Williams led the Chiefs in the run game, carrying the ball 13 times for a game-high 78 yards. Williams saw an increase in snaps due to the unavailability of rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Helaire’s status remains up in the air for Sunday.
Wideout Tyreek Hill (eight receptions, 110 yards) and tight end Travis Kelce (eight receptions, 109 yards, one touchdown) picked up right where they left off during the regular season. Both pass-catchers ranked in the top 10 in receiving yards and touchdowns during the regular season.
The Pick is In
These two teams met during Week 6 of the regular season in Buffalo, with the Chiefs leaving New York with a 26-17 victory. If Mahomes is healthy, he should have no issues picking on the Bills’ defense.
Buffalo will get their chances to score too, but we will ride with Mahomes and his arsenal of offensive weapons if this becomes a shootout.
The Pick: Kansas City -3
