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Week 12: Bills vs. Chiefs
 at 
Sunday, Nov. 29th
1:00pm ET
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The Bills head to Kansas City to play a game at a place that has given them nightmares over the year. The game at Arrowhead is as huge as it gets for week 12 of the season. The Bills and Chiefs are two of four 5-5 teams currently battling for a coveted wildcard spot in the AFC with the Chiefs flying high on a four game winning streak allowing just three TDs during that span. The winner of this game will have a huge advantage in the tiebreakers for a spot in the postseason.
FACTS AND FIGURES
| Matchup: |
Buffalo (5-5) vs. Kansas City (5-5) |
| Place: |
Arrowhead Stadium |
| TV/Radio: |
Network: CBS; DirecTV: 711; Sirius: 132 |
| Announcers: |
Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon |
| Spread: |
Chiefs by 6½ |
| Series: |
Bills lead 23-19-1 (Bills 2-1 in Playoffs) |
| Streak: |
Chiefs Won 2 |
| Last Meeting: |
Chiefs 17-13 in Buffalo (2014) |
| Chiefs Offense: |
Rush (9th); Pass (24th); overall (19th) |
| Chiefs Defense: |
Rush (4th); Pass (14th); overall (7th) |
| Bills Offense: |
Rush (5th); Pass (29th); overall (22nd) |
| Bills Defense: |
Rush (10th); Pass (22nd); overall (17th) |
INJURY UPDATE
The Bills went from being healthy to having a fair amount of big injuries suffered in the New England game. They will be without Kyle Williams once again as he battles a severe knee injury. John Miller is out with a high ankle sprain and Marcus Easley is sidelined with concussion both suffered in the loss on Monday Night. Mario Williams may also miss the game with a foot injury suffered against the Pats. Tyrod Taylor injured his throwing shoulder in the final minutes but is expected to play.
The Chiefs will be without their starting left guard as Ben Grubbs has been ruled out with a neck injury. RB Charcandrick West has been starting with Jamaal Charles on IR but he is unlikely to play with a hamstring injury. DE Allen Bailey (Calf), LB Dee Ford (Back), and WR De'Anthony Thomas (Concussion) have all missed practice time this week with a good chance that some of them won't be able to play.
Check out our  Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.
KEY MATCHUPS
RB LeSean McCoy vs. LB Derrick Johnson:
The last three weeks the Bills have faced the 2nd, 3rd, and now the 4th ranked run defenses in the league. The 11 year pro Johnson leads their vaunted play against the run. McCoy has done well against other top defenses and needs a big game to help get the offense on track.
WR Sammy Watkins vs. CB Marcus Peters:
Ronald Darby isn't the only rookie corner having a good year. Peters was the 18th overall pick in the draft and has done very well matched up against his opponent's top receiver. Watkins needs to get on track and there will be a bigger commitment to getting him the ball.
DB Corey Graham vs. TE Travis Kelce:
The Bills did a great job against Rob Gronkowski last week and may do a similar gameplan of against another top tight end in Kelce who leads the Chiefs in receptions and yards. Look for them to chip him at the line with a linebacker and cover him with Graham or Leodis McKelvin as they are safeties that have cover skills from playing cornerback.
DE Jerry Hughes vs. LT Eric Fisher:
Despite the sack numbers being down, Hughes has had a heck of a year. He will go up against a talented young tackle in Fisher but he will be moved all around the line so he will also lineup opposite RT Jeff Allen.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Don't Be Over Aggressive On Defense: The Bills may need to dial it back a bit from last week's relentless pass rush against Tom Brady. If they over pursue they will be vulnerable to the screen passes that the Chiefs love to do.
2. Get Taylor In Space: Tyrod Taylor was kept in the pocket by the Patriots. With an ailing shoulder it will be even more important for him to make plays with his legs. He needs to get moving and make throws on the run and also gain a good chunk of yardage on the ground.
3. Win The Special Teams Battle: In a game that promises to be a close, hard fought battle it may come down who makes plays on special teams. Whether it is a big return, turnover, or clutch field goal a big play on this unit may be the difference.
BILLS DAILY PREDICTION
Playing in Arrowhead against a very hot team is not the way to end a three game winning streak in a virtual must win game. The Bills defense may have finally arrived in the loss on Monday night and they will need another stellar effort since points will be hard to come by against the vaunted Chiefs defense. I think the Bills are the more talented team and the defense should continue playing inspired ball which should be enough for them to pull off the win:
Bills 17, Chiefs 13
Season Prediction Record: (6-4)
Season Record Against The Spread: (5-5)
Bills Blitz - Coming Sunday Evening!
Gameday Grades - Coming Sunday Night!
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