Chiefs Playoffs Hopes: Key NFL Afternoon Games Affecting KC
By Ben Nielsen
Nov 9, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Kansas City beats Buffalo 17 to 13. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs don’t kickoff until 7:30 tonight which means we all have a chance to watch the entire afternoon slate of games. Several of those games will have a direct impact on the Chiefs’ playoff odds and their chance at least earning a wild card berth. Here’s some of those key games and what they mean to the Chiefs’ hopes.
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Time: Noon
Line : Buffalo, -3.5
Chiefs Impact: High
The Browns are apart of the clusterf**k in the AFC North, where all four teams are separated by a half-game in the standings. Yet all three of the AFC North 7-4 teams are out of the playoff picture right now because of various tie-breaking scenarios. This means Cleveland needs outside help plus somehow keep up their winning ways. Doing so in Buffalo is not going to be easy.
The Bills are coming off of a short week after playing in Detroit against the New York Jets last Monday due to the massive snow storms in Buffalo. A win here keeps their slim wild card hopes alive for another week and earns them a much needed tie-breaker should Cleveland and Buffalo finish the season with the same record.
What KC needs is for the Bills to pull off the win. Five teams are tied for two wild card spots at 7-4 and KC could use some separation from that group. Since the Chiefs already own a head-to-head win over the Bills, KC can deal with a Buffalo win much easier than a Cleveland win because of that tie-breaker.
Verdict: Root for Buffalo