WKBW Week 6 predictions: Bills host Chiefs in battle of 4-1 teams

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. [WKBW] — How many people in Western New York will be leaving work a few minutes early on Monday? We’d venture to guess a lot — but will they be treated to a Buffalo Bills win against the Kansas City Chiefs? Here’s what our sports staff thinks.

Matt Bove:

For the second time in six days, the Buffalo Bills will be put to the test against a quality opponent. This time around, it’s a matchup with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Just like the Bills, the Chiefs are coming off a loss in Week 5. They fell 40-32 to the Las Vegas Raiders, who the Bills beat in Week 4. As the score pretty clearly indicates, Kansas City’s defense struggled to stop Derek Carr in an offensive slug fest. For the Bills, they’ll look to exploit the same weaknesses the Raiders did last week.

When we spoke with Kansas City sports anchor Hayley Lewis preparing for the game, she said the secondary hasn’t performed like they’re accustomed to and the linebackers have been inconsistent. If Josh Allen has time in the pocket and the Bills can contain the high-powered Chiefs edge rushers, the Bills will score a bunch of points.

But here’s the problem — of the two defenses, the Bills have struggled even more than the Chiefs. When facing an opponent with players like Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Clyde Edwards-Hellaire and, oh yes, Patrick Mahomes, you need a stout day from your defense. To this point, the Bills have been exposed by every offense they’ve gone against and they haven’t played anyone nearly as talented as the Chiefs. The Bills have a punchers chance, but I’m not betting against the defending champs.

Chiefs 32, Bills 29
Season record: 4-1

Jenna Callari:

For the first time all season, the Bills are in new territory as they look to bounce back after their first loss of the season. The bad part? They have to bounce back against the defending Super Bowl champs.

Kansas City is a tough opponent and it begins with their offense. They have a high-powered unit that can score points and can easily cause some issues for the Bills defense, who've struggled for the most part in keeping opponents out of the endzone. We've seen what this team looks like without LB Matt Milano and CB Tre'Davious White and it hasn't been pretty. Both are questionable for Monday's game which could be a big issue for a defense desperately looking to right everything that went wrong last week.

When you look at the Chiefs defense, you see a unit that has struggled against the run. In fact they're one of the worst in the league, with their opponents averaging around five yards a carry. The Chiefs are going to have their hands full in keeping the Bills wide receivers contained and this could open some room for Devin Singletary and Zack Moss to have a day.

Can the Bills win this one? Yes. Do I think they will? No.

Chiefs 33, Bills 26
Season record: 3-2

Adam Unger:

The Bills couldn't put anyone away in their first four weeks. And boy, did they GET put away against the Titans on Tuesday. If that's what a 2019 passing game looks like next to a 2020 running game and a 2020 defense, Buffalo has to find their rhythm again, and find it fast.

Here's the thing though: There isn't a worse draw in the league for a bounce-back game than the defending Super Bowl Champs. You really can't say enough about Patrick Mahomes. But his entire arsenal is among the league's best, too. The biggest issue for the Bills will be Travis Kelce. As a defense, Buffalo is giving up 83 yards to tight ends per game. That's the worst rate in the entire NFL.

Even if the Bills' defense is completely healthy, it still might not be enough to steal a win at home. There's nothing wrong with losing to Kansas City, though. Absolutely nothing. If they get blown out like they did against the Titans, though, that might start to raise some red flags.

Chiefs 34, Bills 24
Season record: 3-2