The Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs have enjoyed a healthy rivalry since Buffalo was defeated in back-to-back seasons by Kansas City in 2019 and 2020. That was the approximate time that star quarterback Josh Allen was really emerging as an NFL power and the fans reacted strongly to the miraculous victories by Kansas City. This year, however, Buffalo has managed to have a higher seed and the battle between the two teams will be played in the frigid atmosphere of Buffalo. Unfortunately for the team, they may have to rely on typically unproductive players.
Bills to Miss Top Target in Divisional Round against KC
In their first home playoff game against Kansas City since the rivalry first took shape in 2019, Buffalo will have to figure out a strategy without key receiver Gabe Davis. Davis will miss this week after suffering a knee injury against the Miami Dolphins last week along with safety Taylor Rapp. As I have mentioned in a previous article, the safety is going to be a huge position to watch in this matchup so the injury to Rapp is as significant as they come after he has put in substantial effort in pass coverage and pass rushing.
Davis won’t be a small absence either as he has become the most consistent of all of the weapons in Buffalo this season. Davis has clocked 45 receptions for 746 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this season while most of that has come in the second half of the season. While Allen has established himself as an elite option this year, Davis has been a big part of that .
The team will rely on receivers Stefon Diggs and Khalil Shakir in this matchup as both have established themselves as elite receivers this season. Both receivers have scored Pro Football Focus (PFF) overall scores over 80 this season and have managed to come up big when called upon this season. Allen of course has scored in as the number one quarterback in all of football this season with a PFF score of 91.3. Allen of course will be the most important player but his supporting cast will be limited today.
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes will find himself shorthanded as well as wide receiver Kadarius Toney has been ruled out for the game against Buffalo. Mahomes has struggled substantially with a lack of talent at the wide receiver position this season and has suffered statistically as a result. Both teams will need to rely on the safety position and the quality of their wide receivers to make a real impact and Buffalo comes up on top in both of those categories in 2024.
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