The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs don't look like a sexy matchup at first glance, but it could turn out to be a huge game in the AFC Wild Card race. Both teams are among the five 5-5 teams in the AFC that are currently battling for a spot in the postseason.
Bills vs. Chiefs 2015 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch online
A pair of 5-5 teams will battle for position in the playoff picture.
Buffalo has had a tough schedule, with three of its five losses coming to the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals. They had a bad loss at Jacksonville, which saw backup quarterback EJ Manuel turn the ball over three times. Manuel might be needed again against Kansas City, as Tyrod Taylor was noticeably struggling at the end of Monday night's game against the Patriots with a shoulder injury.
The Chiefs have taken a different approach to 5-5, winning their last four games after a 1-5 start. They've won all four games by double-digit margins, including a 45-10 rout of the Detroit Lions in London and last week's 33-3 mauling of the San Diego Chargers. In between those two games, they might have ended the career of Peyton Manning, intercepting him four times in a 29-13 win over the Denver Broncos.
The Chiefs have turned into a well-rounded team, with a strong running game completing a solid defense. Alex Smith is what he has always been, an efficient quarterback who might not win games on his own, but won't lose them, either. He's thrown 10 touchdown passes and only three interceptions on a team that hasn't turned the ball over at all in its winning streak.
The running game took a serious blow when Jamaal Charles blew out his knee, but Charcandrick West has been a decent runner and a significant force in the passing game. Jeremy Maclin and tight end Travis Kelce are the biggest downfield threats, while Justin Houston and Tamba Hali lead a first-class pass rush.
For Buffalo, Taylor is expected to play, but it is unknown if his shoulder will be at 100 percent by game time. At the end of Monday night, with the Bills needing to drive the length of the field for a tying touchdown, he was limited to throwing 10-15 yard passes and grabbing at his shoulder after every one. He provides a huge spark to the Bills’ offense that Manuel can’t match.
LeSean McCoy is still a force at tailback, averaging over 100 yards a game from scrimmage, while Karlos Williams is picking up 5.8 yards per carry as the No. 2 back. With Percy Harvin on injured reserve with a hip injury, Sammy Watkins has taken over as Buffalo's deep threat, with tight end Charles Clay and wideouts Robert Woods and Chris Hogan providing secondary options.
The Bills are only average defensively, and inconsistent as well. They had a great game two weeks ago against the New York Jets, but were blown off the field by the Bengals and Miami Dolphins. Their ability to stop West could be the key to Sunday's game.
How to watch
When: 1 p.m. ET
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
Network: CBS
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon
Online: NFL Game Pass
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