What the Chiefs must do to beat the Bills in the Divisional Round
![Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2622,h_1474,x_0,y_47/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/130/01hmj01n9t5enkj99n08.jpg)
4. A receiver not named Kelce or Rice needs to step up
If this game is as close as we all expect it to be, the Chiefs are going to need all hands on deck, especially on offense. Coming into the postseason, many people expected Kansas City to ride their best players, other than Mahomes, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, and Isiah Pacheco. While that is still true, the offense will need someone else to make 1 or 2 plays throughout the game.
Whether it be Mecole Hardman, Justin Watson, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Noah Gray, or Richie James, the Chiefs are going to need someone else in the passing game to step up. It doesn't need to be for 100 yards or multiple touchdowns, but just a couple of plays throughout the game that pay even the slightest dividends could be the difference between going home or back to the AFC Championship Game.
It could be Mecole Hardman or MVS actually hauling in a deep ball from Patrick Mahomes for once (which they've struggled with), Richie James converting a third and long off a screen pass, or Justin Watson or Noah Gray making a key play late in the game. It can be anything but this offense needs a third guy to contribute in a significant way if they're going to emerge victorious.