2024 Playoffs - Divisional Game Preview - Chiefs at Bills

Everyone seems to be making something of the fact that this will be the very first playoff game Patrick Mahomes will be playing on the road. I think I'd seen something somewhere, however, that said Mahomes generally does very well on the road. Of course he does very well everywhere, so I imagine the point is he does a tad better away from Arrowhead. That's cool.

Of course they also say it will be very cool there in Buffalo, as usual in the middle of winter. This is not a concern, really, considering the Chiefs played well last week in even lower temperatures.

The concerns?

One, the artificial turf. It hasn't changed: artificial turf is horrible for player safety and health. It might be good for the weather and not having to mow the lawn all the time. But still. I do worry, as everyone else should much more, about any key player just ripping up their ankles or knees on the stuff, or suffering a concussion after their head whacks against that field surface.

Two, the officials. Remember the last game we played against the Bills, when the officials made a call they just don't regularly make to negate one of the greatest touchdown plays in NFL history? Mahomes-led Chiefs teams have actually done really well keeping to horrid officiating calls from afflicting them too much in the playoffs, so we'll see how this one transpires.

Three, the injury situation. From what I saw earlier this week we have concerns on the O-line and at wide receiver. I'm sorry but I simply have not given up on Kadarius Toney, however his injury issues have definitely hit the Chiefs. Skyy Moore may be available but his performance this year has been terribly underwhelming. Will our other receivers step up? Rashee Rice is money, but we do need Marquez, Justin, and Richie to make it so we can enjoy seeing Patrick having the confidence to throw to them -- really, that would be ideal.

Otherwise, we should handle the Bills. Our defense is rock solid and Mahomes can exploit their defense. Only if those crazy stupid things happen that wreck the Chiefs, or Josh Allen has an amazing game --indeed possible as we all know, he can be exceptional on the football field -- will the Bills win this one.

I also have to note that we are out-of-town for a weekend away, so while we will likely be enjoying the game tomorrow late afternoon, I may not get to the blog post for the game until later in the week. We'll see.

Until then, go Chiefs!

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The image was clipped from Google Images originally posted at Marca.com. Thank you.

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