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The Buffalo Bills are on the road for the AFC Championship this Sunday, as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Four Downs has plenty of information to get you ready for kickoff, as the Bills look to advance to the Super Bowl.
The matchup I have been waiting for
When the 2020 NFL schedule was announced, the Thursday Night Football matchup between the Bills and Chiefs was the most highly anticipated game on the schedule for me. The Bills get a primetime game at home, against the defending Super Bowl Champions. There are so many storylines between the two teams, and this was the ultimate measuring stick game for the Bills.
Of course we all know how that went with the schedule being flip-flopped, the game being pushed to a Monday night slot, and the Bills getting run over. What was the most anticipated game of the year felt like a big letdown for most fans, myself included. But as the Bills turned the corner over the second half of the season, I couldn’t help but feel this playoff matchup was inevitable.
And while I know there were many reasons to have pulled for the Cleveland Browns to win last weekend, I wanted to see the Bills get another shot at the Chiefs. This could be the ultimate “be careful what you wish for” scenario, and I completely understand that notion. But in the words of the immortal Ric Flair, “in order to be the man (WOO!) you’ve got to beat the man.”
No surprise, Mahomes cleared to play
On Friday afternoon it was announced that Patrick Mahomes had cleared the concussion protocol, and would get the start on Sunday. This comes as no surprise to Bills fans, as the Chiefs seemed incredibly optimistic that their starting quarterback would be available. While head injuries should certainly be taken seriously, I am more curious to see how Mahomes’s ailing toe impacts his play this weekend.
Pod of the Week
My favorite listen this week came from our very own J. Spence, with his preview of Sunday’s game in Kansas City. He was joined by Terez Paylor on The Chop Up. Paylor is a Senior NFL Writer for Yahoo Sports, and gives great insight from the perspective of both teams on Sunday. I consider this a must listen.
Prediction: Bills 31, Chiefs 28
I have flip-flopped so many times in making this prediction, but in my heart I feel that the Bills will pull off the victory on Sunday. Josh Allen accounts for all four touchdowns, throwing two scores while running in two more. The Bills advance to the Super Bowl, as the dream season continues.