The five biggest down-the-stretch challenges facing the Kansas City Chiefs

2. The Bills (and Bengals) visit Arrowhead

When listing the biggest challenges for a list like this, the mind automatically wanders to remaining opponents for most fans. For the Chiefs, with the Eagles in the rearview mirror, the schedule looks a lot less daunting given the direction that some teams have taken this year. However that doesn't mean they're without some real hurdles to clear on the schedule.

The Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals were two of the toughest outs on the regular-season schedule when it was announced back in May. Since then, both teams have endured some surprising losses yet both remain formidable opponents. Both teams have talented rosters and respectable coaches who have had success against K.C. in the past. (The Bills have split the last four while Bengals have won three of the last four.)

What heightens these remaining matchups for both Cincinnati and Buffalo is that both teams are jostling for all-important postseason positioning—if much hope remains for Cincy). Yet discounting them might prove foolish. The obvious elephant in this room is that the Bengals lost Joe Burrow for the year, but there is a lot of pride in this team's record versus K.C. over the years, and if anyone wants to doubt their ability to game plan well against Andy Reid, you've forgotten the last few games.

While the Bengals' matchup is likely about the competitive rivalry on their end, the Bills will need a big-time road win to prove their postseason mettle. Josh Allen and company will be hyped to come to Arrowhead and prove what they can do after listening to the groans of doubters escalate all season long.