When the Buffalo Bills face off against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday at Highmark Stadium, it’s not just another game on the schedule. Instead, it might shape who controls the AFC as teams prepare for the playoffs. KC’s record stands at 5-3, while Buffalo’s is at 5-2, though both realize this goes beyond Week 9 drama.
According to NFL.com’s Mia Fowler, this matchup delivers every single time on October 31st. This clash might set the tone for who’s headed toward Super Bowl glory.
Who Really Controls the AFC After Bills’ Josh Allen vs Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes?
Since 2020, no AFC clash has mattered more than Allen taking on Mahomes. They’ve played 10 rounds – five wins apiece – with both piling up exactly 251 points, showing just how even they are. But look closer: Mahomes owns a 3-0 playoff lead over Buffalo, a detail that reveals why this showdown might shift power across the entire conference.
This game’s a chance for Buffalo to get past that mental block. With seven games down, Allen’s racked up 1,870 yards through the air, tossed 17 TDs, while adding 5 more on the ground – per the stats from NFL Research dated Oct. 31. James Cook, their backfield guy, sits on top of the league in rushing yards over expected, boasting a +225 edge; meanwhile, their defense is holding firm – second-best against the pass at just 161.9 yards given up per game. These numbers show Buffalo isn’t lacking strength or focus – they’ve got what it takes to turn things around in the AFC.
But Mahomes, along with Kansas City, keeps leading the pack. After a shaky beginning, the two-time MVP went off from Week 4 onward – 14 scores and 1,430 yards, according to NFL.com. Travis Kelce is sitting at number two among tight ends in yardage, while Rashee Rice came back in Week 7 and chipped in three more touchdowns. Even with no Isiah Pacheco handling carries, KC’s offense still stands among the league’s best five.
ESPN’s Tedy Bruschi believes the Chiefs “know how to win the game that they’re in, not the one that they expected.” That attitude’s ruled the AFC since 2019 – now Buffalo’s gotta knock it down.
If Buffalo comes out on top, the AFC gets wide open. Chiefs take it? They tighten their grip on the whole division. No matter who wins Sunday, the outcome shifts playoff spots, boosts team morale, or even steers the route to the big game.
This is why it’s not merely a regular game – instead, it’s the one that shows who actually controls the AFC.
