Game Preview
The spotlight is on Highmark Stadium as Patrick Mahomes and the reigning AFC champion Chiefs (5-3) visit Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills (5-2) in a possible playoff preview. The Chiefs enter having won five of their last six games, highlighted by their offense’s 29.3 points per game over that span, and a defense ranked top three in points and yards allowed. Buffalo comes off a dominant 40-9 win but faces a much stiffer test in Kansas City, especially with a battered defensive unit.
Injury and Practice Reports (as of Oct. 30)
Buffalo Bills
DNP
DaQuan Jones (DT) - Calf - OUT
Shaq Thompson (LB) - Hamstring - OUT
LP
Joshua Palmer (WR) - Knee - Ankle - OUT
Taron Johnson (CB) - Groin - QUESTIONABLE
Matt Prater (K) - Right Calf
FP
Ray Davis (RB) - Illness
Terrel Bernard (LB) - Ankle
Matt Milano (LB) - Pec
Key Defensive Injuries: The Bills’ defensive depth is tested with multiple starters out, plus a key linebacker (Shaq Thompson, hamstring), missing practice and potentially unavailable. The secondary is also shorthanded.
Kansas City Chiefs
DNP
Isiah Pacheco (RB) - Knee - OUT
Josh Simmons (T) - Personal - OUT
Jaylon Moore (OL) - QUESTIONABLE
LP
Trey Smith (G) - Back - QUESTIONABLE
FP
Kareem Hunt (RB) - Ankle
Brashard Smith (RB) - Toe
Hollywood Brown (WR) - Illness
Jawaan Taylor (T) - Knee - Shoulder
Charles Omenihu (DE) - Ankle
Nick Bolton (LB) - Knee
Isiah Pacheco Knee Injury Update
The Chiefs main injury concern is the status of Isiah Pacheco (knee) who will miss after sustaining a right knee MCL Sprain in Week 8.
Injury Impact Analysis
1) Bills’ interior D is reshuffled
Buffalo is down star DT Ed Oliver (IR) and has DaQuan Jones still DNP with a calf, thinning the rotation that drives their pressure up the middle. Expect more snaps for Jordan Phillips and recently elevated depth, with Buffalo leaning on edge pressure and disguised second-level blitzes instead of consistent A-gap wins. That’s meaningful versus Patrick Mahomes, who has historically been most bothered by interior push.
2) Kansas City’s backfield without Pacheco
With Isiah Pacheco week-to-week after an MCL sprain and DNP through Thursday, the Chiefs’ run game likely shifts to a committee (e.g., Kareem Hunt and others) and more RPO/quick game to Hollywood Brown, Travis Kelce & co. That tilts the plan toward Mahomes’ arm and ball-out timing if Buffalo’s front can’t dent the pocket inside.
3) Second-level health vs. Kelce/YAC
Matt Milano practicing fully is a big stabilizer for Buffalo’s underneath coverage and run fits. If Shaq Thompson can’t go (hamstring; DNP Thu), the Bills lose versatility in nickel/dime, which is critical against KC’s option routes and jet motion.
Final Take
This matchup pits two of the AFC’s best quarterbacks in Mahomes and Allen, but the game may be decided in the trenches and by which team can overcome significant injuries to key contributors. Health tilts the trench leverage toward Kansas City’s passing game, while Buffalo’s path is Allen’s efficiency and a creative plan to generate interior pressure without Oliver. Kansas City is slight favorite on the road, but Buffalo’s offense is still capable of striking quickly - assuming Allen can withstand the Chiefs’ aggressive front seven.
For the latest injury updates and in-depth Sunday coverage, stay tuned to sicscore.com
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