Kansas City Chiefs look to stay tops in AFC West
The Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) have probably their best chance to build on the positive momentum they have, based on their impressive start to the season, when they host the winless Buffalo Bills (0-6) on Sunday, 31 October.
Previous meetings and recent games
Since 2001, the Chiefs and Bills have met five times with the Bills holding the edge with three wins, including a 16-10 win in their last meeting dating back to last year.
After starting the season with three straight wins, the Chiefs got hit back to earth with two consecutive losses. They managed to get momentum back with a huge 42-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday.
"It's still really early in the season," running back Thomas Jones said of his team's early success. "We've only played six games. We've got a long way to go. We're just trying to build off some of the things we've done positively."
The Bills have very few positive things to build on. They are the only team in the NFL without a win this season and only the Jaguars and Denver Broncos have conceded more points this season, but they've each played an extra game more than the Bills. The
Bills managed to net 514 yards against the Ravens' defence last week but still lost by a score of 37-34.
How they match up
It's been a bit of a yard sale in Buffalo as they've already traded away Trent Edwards, who started the year as the team's quarterback before
being traded to the Jaguars, and Marshawn Lynch, who started the season as the team's top rusher before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks.
In to replace them are Ryan Fitzpatrick and Fred Jackson. Both have posted decent numbers, but neither has provided enough spark to what must be considered a throwaway season for the Bills.
The Chiefs have been one of the surprises of the AFC so far, and currently lead the league in rushing offence. The one-two punch of Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles has been frighteningly effective with both players on pace to get 1000 yards. They're the
only team in the NFL with two rushers in the top 20.
Although starting quarterback Matt Cassel hasn't put up Hall of Fame numbers, he's been effective moving the sticks and has only thrown three interceptions. The Chiefs are currently tied with the New York Jets with the fewest turnovers with just four.
The Bills are ranked 28th in total defence and dead last defending the run, averaging almost as many yards against as the Chiefs are gaining each week.
What to expect
Look for Jones and Charles to have big days along the ground as they will try to exploit the Bills' fragile run defence.
The Bills have to be thinking that, short of a miracle, they're more likely to get a high-ordered first round pick than they are to make the play-offs, so each game they play is probably being viewed as a learning experience for their players rather than
a must-win affair. They will likely play loose on both sides of the ball as a result.
Chiefs will win 37-28.
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