Week 10: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 1:00pm
TV Network: CBS (TV Map)
Announcers: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots
DirecTV: 707
Bills Radio:
On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Sal Capaccio (sideline)
Flagship: Buffalo – WGR550 (550AM); Toronto - 590 The Fan;
Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WKRL (100.9/WKLL 94.9)
Sirius/XM: 93 (Internet 803)
=================================================================
Game Preview:
Orton is taking his success in stride as Buffalo looks to win three straight for the first time since beginning the 2011 season 3-0. It also is thinking playoffs, which it hasn't experienced since 1999.
The Chiefs (5-3) are riding a hot streak of their own, winning three straight after defeating the Jets 24-10 last week. Jamaal Charles, who rushed for 90 yards in a 23-13 win over the Bills last season, had another solid effort with 78 yards and a touchdown to give him four during the winning streak.
Buffalo's defense seems up to the challenge. Its massive front line has helped it rank eighth in allowing 326.0 yards per game and 92.3 against the rush. Alex Smith will go up against the Bills' 13th-ranked pass defense. None of his 11 touchdown passes have gone to wide receivers.
Read more at ESPN game preview...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chiefs at Bills NFL.com Preview
Chiefs Vs. Bills: Prediction, Betting Odds, Preview For AFC Showdown
Kansas City vs. Buffalo Preview
NFL.com Game Center
Team Stats: Bills Chiefs
Total Yds/Game.... 326.9 338.0
Total Rush............. 98.9 136.9
Total Pass............. 2228.0 201.1
Points/Game.......... 22.2 25.0
Time of Poss.......... 29.3 31.9
----------------------------------------------
Yds/Gm Allowed... 326.0 315.5
Rush Yards........... 92.2 116.1
Pass Yards........... 233.8 199.4
Points Allowed........ 20.6 17.2
Source: NFL.com
Overall Offense: Bills - 24th; Chiefs - 21st
Overall Defense: Bills - 8th; Chiefs - 5th
MatchUp Comparison via SportingCharts.com
Injury Report:
Buffalo Bills 24, 10, 12,
NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS
Brooks, Ron CB Groin LP LP LP Questionable
Easley, Marcus WR Knee LP LP LP Probable
Goodwin, Marquise WR Hamstring LP LP LP Probable
Jackson, Fred RB Groin LP LP LP Questionable
Powell, Ty LB Ankle LP LP LP Probable
Richardson, Cyril G Not Injury Related DNP DNP DNP Probable
Watkins, Sammy WR Groin LP DNP DNP Questionable
Woods, Robert WR Back FP FP FP Probable
Source: BuffaloBills.com
Kansas City Chiefs
NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS
Jamell Fleming CB Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
Jerry Franklin LB Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
Josh Martin LB Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Questionable
Tamba Hali LB Knee LP LP LP Probable
Donnie Avery WR Groin LP LP DNP Out
Christopher Owens CB Knee —- FP FP Questionable
Eric Berry S Ankle FP FP FP Probable
Phillip Gaines CB Ankle FP FP FP Questionable
Cyrus Gray RB Hand FP FP FP Probable
Junior Hemingway WR Hamstring FP FP FP Probable
Travis Kelce TE Ribs FP FP FP Probable
Sean Smith CB Groin DNP DNP DNP Probable
Frank Zombo LB Not Injury Related —- LP —- —-
Source: KCChiefs.com
Practice Status Game Status
DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice Out = Player will not play
LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play
FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions Questionable = 50% chance a player will play
Out = Player will not play Probable = 75% chance a player will play
(-) = Not Listed = No practice status available (-) = Not Listed - No game status available
The Odds:
Line: Chiefs -1.5
Over/Under: 42
Source: The LineMakers
Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas.
My Thoughts on the Game:
Let the second half begin! What looked like the easiest stretch of the schedule at one point in time has become a critical stretch against some good teams. First up.. the Chiefs. The Chiefs started 0-2, in contrast to our 2-0 start. Yet, here we both sit at 5-3. And for two teams desperate for playoff action, its not completely unfounded to say the second half of our season hinges in the balance.
Make no mistake the Chiefs will play tough. They've been putting up some pretty good numbers over the last month and have several statistical edges. Coming off the bye, the Bills should have an advantage of their own, however. But, often times, the team that's been playing and in their rhythm overcomes that advantage with ease. It'll be interesting to see how Marrone gets the team up for the game. Generally, the Bills have played tough for him. This week they need to get back in the groove quick.
With all that said, what are the keys to today's game? Here's what I'm watching for:
1. Freddie and Sammy. I think we have decent depth at both position, but there's little doubt these are two of our best offensive weapons. It would be a huge lift to see Jackson start. However, Marrone has to weigh the entire season against rushing either on the field too soon. In this instance, I'm sure he'll make the right decision.
2. The right side of our O line. The Chiefs have a sack machine in Houston snd he's currently on pace to break the single season sack record. How will Henderson hold up? Will Hacket run/throw away from him? Hopefully, they learned from the JJ Watt game that when one of the best in the game is on the field... you don't test him too often. Get Henderson some help!
3. Our LBs on Kelce. Admittedly, I don't know much about this kid, but he's all the talk of the pundits for the last week or so. And we know the Bills always struggle against good TEs. Hopefully, they can contain him and take away the middle of the field.
4. Our run game. Can we run the ball with any effectiveness? Our run average has been steadily declining each week. It'll be interesting to see what Hacket has come up with over the bye week in an effort to jump start the run game. Are they going to actually do something different? Or will they just plug Kouandjio in at RG and keep plodding along with the same predictability?
5. The spirit of the team. They say they have the playoffs in their sights. At 5-3, they have their destiny in their hands. At the Ralph, they'll have the home crowd on their feet. It'd be nice to see the team come out, be the more physical team, and put the league on notice that the Bills aren't going to go quietly into December afternoons any more!
Go Bills!!