Chiefs vs. Bills Point Spread: NFL Week 9 Odds, Prediction
After two months of the NFL season, neither the Bills or Chiefs are leading their respective divisions. Both the Chiefs and Bills remain in Wild-Card positions, but the fact they have some in-division competition for the first time in years is putting the extra pressure on this Week 9 bout.
Buffalo’s seemingly got right with a 40-9 win at Carolina last weekend, snapping a two-game skid. The Chiefs are winners of three straight and have won all three by at least double digits. It’s tough to think either side is in for a double-digit game this week though, as recent Chiefs–Bills history has taught us to expect a highly-competitive, dramatic afternoon of football.
Kickoff at Highmark Stadium goes at 4:25 p.m. EST with the Chiefs a -135 moneyline favourite on the road and the over-under at 52.5 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Chiefs and Bills have split their last eight meetings but if you gave truth serum to anyone who’s been a part of these battles, they would probably tell you this rivalry isn’t close. And that’s because Buffalo is a perfect 4-0 in the last four regular season meetings and then things change entirely in the post-season; those Chiefs four wins have all come in the playoffs. Last year’s AFC Championship was the latest elimination win, and Kansas City has eliminated Buffalo in four of the last five seasons.
Since we’re in the middle of the regular season, history is on the Bills’ side. Buffalo beat the Chiefs 30-21 at home last November and that was the largest margin of victory in any of these teams’ last six meetings. Kansas City is 4-1 ATS in their last five games in Buffalo, and reminder the Chiefs are coming into this weekend as a road favourite. Six of the last eight Chiefs-Bills contests have finished over the total. Buffalo had a 13-game home win streak snapped the last time they played at Highmark Stadium. The have just five regular season games left at the stadium before moving out next season.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have officially crawled out of their early sub .500 days and are establishing themselves yet again as force in the AFC. And should anyone be surprised? Nope. Patrick Mahomes has thrown for at least 270 yards in four of his last five outings, and the Chiefs have registered at least 28 points in each of those games. Having Rashee Rice back in the receiving corps has provided the boost this unit needed. Rice has 16 catches for 135 yards and three scores in just two games played, emerging as a top target for Mahomes.
Kansas City has taken things to another level defensively during this three-game win streak too. The last Chiefs lost saw them give up 31 points a game-winning score, and since then they have allowed 24 total points in three wins. The defence is 4th in the NFL with 277.8 yards allowed per contest.
Running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) did not participate in Kansas City’s opening practice day on Wednesday. If Pacheco can’t go, RBs Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith would see more action.
Buffalo Bills
No team runs the ball more than the Buffalo Bills, and they got back to that winning formula last week. James Cook led the way with a career-high 216 rushing yards, becoming the third Bills running back to ever eclipse that mark. Cook didn’t even play in the fourth quarter either, as Buffalo entered the final 15 minutes up 37-3.
The bad news is Buffalo’s defence took a big blow in the win as defensive tackle Ed Oliver is out indefinitely with a torn biceps. DaQuan Jones has also missed the last two. Games with a calf injury so the interior of the defensive line is quite depleted heading into this pivotal matchup. The Bills rank second-worst in the NFL with 5.5 yards against per carry, and 150.3 rushing yards allowed per game. So to summarize this Bills segment, expect the Bills to have a lot of running plays on offence, and give up a ton of rushing yards on the flip side — makes for a quick game!
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