Writers are divided as AFC powerhouses collide in Week 11

The Kansas City Chiefs undefeated record was a few seconds and an arm’s length away from the end of last weekk against the Denver Broncos. However, how they win doesn’t matter as much as how they win. The top dog of the AFC remains the team to beat as they travel to ORchard Park for another date against the rival Buffalo Bills in a game not to be missed.

This match has been circled on the calendar for quite some time and the performances of both teams have maintained that status. The Bills are on a five-game winning streak and sit comfortably atop the AFC East. That winning run quickly made fans forget a 35-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, another loss to Kansas City, albeit narrowly.

Chiefs and Bills fans can expect a classic midseason matchup here, just a taste of what will hopefully be a higher-stakes postseason meeting. How do our writers think this entry will go?

Christian Ainsworth
How did the Chiefs pull off that Week 10 miracle against the Broncos?! That kind of grit (and luck) is only present in teams that are destined to remain undefeated! My prediction: The Chiefs beat the “September Champs” with a strong offense that benefits from a defense with the 5th highest completion percentage for QBs and ranks 10th in yards allowed.
Chiefs 28, Bills 20

Patrick Allen
The Chiefs are the underdogs against the Buffalo Bills this week, which usually doesn’t work out well for the Patrick Mahomes-era favorite. Still, the Chiefs haven’t played enough “nice football” to earn Vegas’ respect. The Chiefs will ultimately lose, and this week against a good road opponent would be as reasonable a time as any to drop a game. But until this team, which has won 15 straight NFL games, actually loses, I’m not picking against them.
Chiefs 20, Bills 17 (OT)

Praise Carter
The bill’s ability to augment the Chiefs’ defense with two good tight ends and two good pass-catching running backs will be a major challenge. The Bills also have an above-average offensive line that could soften the Chiefs’ pass rush, much like the Broncos run game. Injuries to players such as Amari Cooper, Spencer Brown and Dalton Kincaid are looming. We tend to hold things back in these games and I’m not sure the Chiefs offense is dynamic enough without Pacheco, Brown and Rice to keep pace.
Bills 24, Chiefs 21

Matt Conner
Buffalo has scored 30 points per game over the past month, and that’s often without playmakers like Keon Coleman and Amari Cooper. The Chiefs’ defensive track record speaks for itself. There will be one force on Sunday, and that is what makes this such a convincing match. I’m going against the grain here and only picking the Bills because I don’t think the Chiefs will remain perfect and if any remaining opponent looks formidable, it’s this one.
Bills 21, Chiefs 20

Bransen Gibson
Oh boy, this feels like a big one. With a chance to shape the top seedings in the AFC, it really feels like a November playoff game. The Chiefs have a huge opportunity, other than number one, and I think they will seize that opportunity. Kansas City’s run game was one of the most successful in the league, which matches up perfectly with a Buffalo team that ranks near last in rushing yards per attempt. It may not be pretty, but I think Hunt and the Chiefs will hit the rock and get a win.
Chiefs 20, Bills 17

Braden Holecek
Clearly, this will be one of the toughest games on the Chiefs’ schedule. Winning in that Buffalo environment during last year’s playoffs certainly gave Kansas City a good experience heading back out there. This could easily be the first loss for the Chiefs. But seeing how Buffalo’s front seven handles the balance of KC’s offense could decide the game. This is the kind of game the Chiefs can get through if the running game can produce positive wins. That’s what’s most worth watching.
Chiefs 26, Bills 23

Felix Johnson
Okay, I’m the new guy, so I’m not sure how the rules should read when the team is undefeated with the league’s best QB and dogs on the road. That’s great, but the dam has to break at some point and the road match in New York State seems excellent.
Bills 27, Chiefs 23

Scott Loring
Historically, the Bills have started their annual regular season matchup with the Chiefs by going all out, while KC has left something in the tank. That could change this year. A win on Sunday will give KC a nearly insurmountable lead over the No. 1 seed. I expect the Chiefs to be firing on all cylinders early.
Chiefs 30, Bills 27

Jacob Milham
The Chiefs’ undefeated run was entertaining and reminded fans how much of a coaching advantage Kansas City has over the league. I credit that advantage for negating the individual blunders fans see on Sundays that make games closer than they need to be. It will also make Sunday’s game closer than it needs to be. But Buffalo will continue their regular season dominance over Kansas City with this week’s trip to Orchard Park.
Bills 27, Chiefs 20

Greg Morse
The Chiefs have had a very tough schedule so far, but this will likely be the toughest yet. As strange as it may seem, this matchup could decide the #1 seed. The Chiefs would probably have to win if they lose to the Bills, which isn’t impossible but still crazy to think about for a team that is 9-0 and well ahead of everyone but Buffalo in the standings. That said, I have my doubts about a win for KC. Their margin of victory seems to be getting smaller and smaller every week and is now razor thin. I think the law of diminishing returns ultimately leaves them at a loss.
Bills 24, Chiefs 20

Shawn O’Brate
The Bills are on a tear right now and after the Broncos game I don’t know how the Chiefs will react on the road. I know Mahomes normally doesn’t have two bad games in a row, but if he does, the Bills defense is probably much better than people expected after losing so many key names. I think Mahomes and Andy Reid are trying to get rookie WR Xavier Worthy more involved and allow a (possibly) healthy JuJu Smith-Schuster to return to form alongside Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt. It will remain tight throughout the game, but the Chiefs will eventually come out with a late field goal or a touchdown.
Chiefs 25, Bills 23

Charles Robinson
This one looked big when the schedule was released in May, and sure enough, heading into Week 11, it has “game of the year” written all over it. Josh Allen has put together what many would consider an MVP campaign so far in 2024, but once again he’s finding the Chiefs getting in his way somehow. Until Kansas City takes one, I can’t pick against them. Mahomes is 12-1-1 in his career as an underdog, and the Chiefs are +2.5 heading into Buffalo. I think he gets lucky here with win number 13.
Chiefs 27, Bills 25

Lucas Strozinsky
Normally this would be a game where I pick the Bills, but I think the Chiefs will go to Orchard Park and win. If Mahomes can be protected from his blind side, they should be able to move the ball. If they can limit Josh Allen as well, they should emerge victorious.
Chiefs 24, Bills 21