It’s the Buffalo Bills’ fifth trip to Kansas City in more than thirty-four months, but it doesn’t exactly feel like a familiar second home.
The Bills are back in the Midwest on Sunday to take on the Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl champions. Buffalo, who has dropped four of its last six games, feels that this game is a must-win.
With five games left, the Bills (6-6) are outside of the playoff race despite having recently had a bye.
“We don’t want to be in situations like this but we feel like we’ve been in this situation before, and it has produced some of our best football,” Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills quarterback, said.
The Bills have exhibited strong performance in their recent regular-season trips to Kansas City, winning 24-20 the previous season and 38-20 in 2021.
After losing 38-24 in the AFC Championship Game on January 24, 2021, and 42-36 in overtime in the AFC Divisional round on January 23, 2022, Buffalo has struggled in the postseason during its recent flurry of visits.
Prominent left tackle Dion Dawkins of the Bills stated unequivocally that Kansas City is not a second home.
“Kansas City is always a nice rest stop,” Dawkins said. “A lot of history, a lot of battles, a lot of emotion there. A home away from home? No. There is no home away from Buffalo, which is a full home. …
“Enemy territory. We’re going to fight on a different battlefield.”
The Chiefs (8-4) have suffered three of their last five games, adding to their own set of difficulties.
Kansas City has lost its last five games by a score of 27-19 against the host Green Bay Packers, which was the fourth time the team had scored 21 points or fewer.
After throwing for 424 yards during a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in October, Patrick Mahomes has been limited to 210 yards or less in three of the last four games.
The usually top-of-the-league Kansas City offense is tied for 11th in scoring (22.9 points per game) and eighth in total offense (362.6).
However, Mahomes stated that the team’s positive energy has not diminished due to the production decline.
“We have confidence every week that we will find a way to win the football game,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, these last few weeks we’ve lost a couple.
“But we still have that mindset. We understand the challenge ahead that’s in front of us.”
The Bills, who are tied for fifth in scoring (27.3) and fourth in total offense (383.3), are one team that faces this challenge.
Buffalo, which cannot afford to lose on Sunday and drop below.500, will also be on the verge of desperation.
“We look forward to the challenge of playing the Bills,” Kansas City coach Andy Reid said. “Obviously, a good football team. They’re familiar with us, we’re familiar with them. … They’re a talented football team, one that we respect.”
Running back Isiah Pacheco (shoulder), who rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay, and left tackle Donovan Smith (neck stinger) of the Chiefs were both declared out on Friday.
Jerick McKinnon, the running back who has missed the last two games due to a groin injury, was taken off the injury report on Friday and should return to help fill the void.
Linebacker Drue Tranquill (concussion) and safety Bryan Cook (ankle) were the other two starting defensive players that were sidelined.
Von Miller, a linebacker for the Bills, was given a day off from practice but is expected to be available on Sunday. Miller was taken into custody during the bye week on suspicion of felony domestic abuse, purportedly directed at a pregnant woman.
Both tight end Dawson Knox (wrist) and cornerback Kaiir Elam (ankle) are listed as questionable for the Bills’ 21-day practice window, which began on Wednesday.