KC Chiefs vs. Bills: Writers predict Divisional Round results

If our staff of contributing writers is in any way representative of Chiefs Kingdom as a whole, then it means that there’s cautious optimism about Sunday mixed with definite respect for the talent and ceiling of the visiting Buffalo Bills for this week.

Surveying our own writers at Arrowhead Addict, it’s clear that Patrick Mahomes and company have proven their mettle time and again—enough to earn the trust and allow Chiefs fans to get over their ingrained worries that things might fall apart at the biggest moment. This is a different generation and these Chiefs can finish the job they’ve set out to do.

That said, the Bills are hoping to do the same. They are a Super Bowl-worthy roster with a star quarterback ready to take the leap over his biggest hurdle yet. Josh Allen is also very well-coached by Sean McDermott and the Bills are deep in key places on the roster, allowing them to stay fresh along the defensive line, for instance, for all four quarters. This game is going to be a tough matchup for the Chiefs and it’s perhaps the biggest game of the Divisional Round.

Read on for our predictions from our writers at Arrowhead Addict.

Max Cashio

In what is shaping up to be the de-facto AFC Championship Game, the Bills and Chiefs are sure to provide a worthwhile game in the Divisional Round. Buffalo has almost become a division rival for Kansas City with 4 games played against Buffalo across the last 2 seasons including playoffs. Buffalo seems to hold the edge on KC with their decisive win earlier this year and their demolition of New England in the Wild Card round. However, even though I believe this game will be close, this much improved Chiefs defense and Playoff Mahomes won’t be denied in Arrowhead. Chiefs 24, Bills 21

Matt Conner

In some ways, you could flip a coin on this for me, but it’s just hard for me to bet against Patrick Mahomes in the postseason until someone else in the AFC proves they can rise up at the moment. The Bills already pulled off this feat at Arrowhead in October and they look ready for the part. They’re believable on paper as a winner here, but seeing is believing and the Chiefs’ body of experience speaks for itself. Chiefs 33, Bills 30

Josh Fann

The Chiefs will continue their offensive drubbing of teams and this Bills game is the kind of game the Chiefs always show up for. I get everyone is in awe of the Bills because of what they did to the Patriots but people need to remember how much parity there’s been in the NFL and with the Bills, in particular, this year. The Chiefs were at rock bottom defensively the last time these two faced off. The Chiefs took Week 5 personally and they’ll get their revenge this Sunday. Chiefs 40, Bills 27

Alex Givens

Well, certainly seems like the whole nation is picking Buffalo to win this game.  I know we all remember what happened the last time these teams squared off in Week 5, but Week 5 might as well be decades ago since this team (especially the defense) has drastically improved with both sides of the ball making explosive plays when they need to, especially as of late.  When all is said in done, you can’t count out Mahomes in playoff football. This will be a hard-fought game, but the Chiefs will ultimately prevail.  Chiefs 31,  Buffalo 28

Jake Kokoris

The Chiefs start hot out of that gate, jumping to a 17-7 halftime lead. A few costly penalties in the secondary allow the Bills to crawl back in the third quarter. The game is tied at 24 entering the 4th. On a third and long, Josh Allen rips off a 74-yard touchdown run to take a 31-24 lead with 7 minutes left. Mahomes and co. Answer with a 5-minute touchdown drive. The Chiefs’ defense holds, sending the game into OT. Melvin Ingram correctly calls “heads.” The Chiefs drive down the field, sputter a bit, and settle for a field goal. Allen and the Bills go 3 and out, thanks largely to a sack by Ljarius Sneed. Ball. Game. Chiefs 34, Bills 31 (OT)

KC Proctor

The divisional round at Arrowhead will be the Chiefs vs Bills that the world deserves. Two teams at the apex of their ability will lead to an all-time addition to the Kansas City playoff history book. Scoring will come from all directions with Allen and Mahomes at the top of their games, and two defenses riding high off of dominant Wild Card performances. Chiefs 35, Bills 33 

Hunter Stanton

This game will be a great bout till the end as this Chiefs team isn’t like the one we saw back in Week 5. The Bills are without Tre’Davious White, a massive loss to their defense. With the weapons of Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, the emergence of Byron Pringle, and the grit of this Chiefs’ defense, I have the Chiefs winning close. Chiefs 38, Bills 31 

Grant Tuttle

The Bills and Chiefs were obviously the two most explosive teams playing on Wild Card Weekend. The Patriots and Steelers were victims of two teams hitting their stride at the exact right time and I would expect them to have a great game again this weekend. The Bills beat up on the Chiefs early in the year before the Chiefs had anything figured out on either side of the ball. With new players and strategies in place, I would expect a much different result this time around. Look for Mahomes to remind everyone that he is the best quarterback in the NFL and it’s not particularly close. The Chiefs will have their revenge in this one en route to their fourth straight AFC Championship Game. Chiefs 34 Bills 28

Farzin Vousoughian

There is a lot of hype surrounding this matchup. It’ll be a shootout for sure. It will very likely come down to who makes the fewest mistakes and which team has possession last. Chiefs 45, Bills 42