Week 9: Bills vs. Chiefs
at
Sunday, Nov. 3th
1:00pm ET
The Bills begin the second half of the season pretty much like they ended the first half, with a tough opponent. The schedule gets easier after this week but first the last undefeated team comes to the Ralph as the surprising Kansas City Chiefs come to town. The place has been a house of horrors for KC as they haven't won in Buffalo since 1986. That is a span of four regular season and two playoff games.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (3-5) vs. Kansas City (8-0)
Place: Ralph Wilson Stadium
TV/Radio: Network: CBS; DirecTV: 704; Sirius: 91
Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
Spread: Chiefs by 3
Series: Bills lead 23-17-1 (Bills 2-1 in playoffs)
Streak: Bills Won 2
Last Meeting: Bills 35-17 in Buffalo (2012)
Chiefs Offense: Rush (11th); Pass (24th); overall (16th)
Chiefs Defense: Rush (11th); Pass (4th); overall (5th)
Bills Offense: Rush (7th); Pass (30th); overall (19th)
Bills Defense: Rush (26th); Pass (24th); overall (26th)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills are still without EJ Manuel, he remains sidelined with a LCL sprain but is inching closer to a return. His backup Thad Lewis is battling the flu and sore ribs after he got beat up against New Orleans. He is 50-50 to play according to the coach but sources say he will go. C.J. Spiller has been hampered by a high ankle sprain that caused him to miss last week's game and making him questionable at best for this week as well. Manny Lawson is battling a hamstring injury that had him miss last week's game but he has a decent shot at playing this week. Stevie Johnson is battling a hip flexor but is expected to play along with fellow WR Marquise Goodwin who hurt his elbow against New Orleans.

The Chiefs have a concern with star RB Jamaal Charles who missed practice time this week with a knee injury. DL Mike Catapano has already been ruled out with a knee injury. TE Anthony Fasano is battling knee and ankle problems that have caused him to be limited in practice this week.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

LT Cordy Glenn vs. LB Tamba Hali:
Glenn will have to stop the leader of the Chiefs defense as Hali has nine sacks on the season.

RT Erik Pears vs. LB Justin Houston:
Hali doesn't even lead the Chiefs in sacks, that distinction goes to the guy on the other side as Houston has 11 sacks on the season and will make things really tough for the struggling Pears.

DE Mario Williams vs. LT Branden Albert:
Williams bring 11 sacks of his own into this game and will battle the Rochester native. He needs to get pressure to help shutdown a mediocre Chiefs passing attack.

LB Kiko Alonso vs. RB Jamaal Charles:
Alonso is the biggest weapon on the Bills defense and he will be the main guy in stopping the best offensive weapon of the Chiefs. Whether it's on the ground or through the air Charles has been a dominant force that needs to be contained.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Protect The QB: Whoever is under center needs to be kept upright. They can't afford any more injuries at the position. Whoever is back there will need time to make plays against a very solid defensive unit.
2. Run The Ball Early and Often: Whether it is a banged up Lewis, the inexperienced Jeff Tuel, or Matt Flynn at QB they will need a lot of help from the running game. Fred Jackson will likely have to carry the load again but Tashard Choice should also get the ball a lot as well. They just need to pound it with the running game all day long.
3. Force Mistakes: The Chiefs are undefeated because they are opportunistic and don't make too many mistakes. The defense needs to get the pressure on Alex Smith to force him into making rare mistakes.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

After the loss to the Saints I immediately tweeted I think the Bills will be the team to give the Chiefs their first loss. I am wavering a bit because of the unsettled quarterback situation. They need Lewis to play but even if he does, how healthy will he be? I will stick to my guns since this Bills team is real tough at the Ralph and I do think the Chiefs are just a paper tiger:
Bills 16, Chiefs 13

Season Prediction Record: (5-3)
Season Record Against The Spread: (4-4)

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