Quest for perfection takes Chiefs back to Buffalo
Thu Nov 14 4:07am ET
Field Level Media
Revenge might be best served in the playoffs, but the Buffalo Bills are in position to score a few points toward redemption when they welcome the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
The Bills (8-2) appear to be the greatest impediment standing in the way of the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Chiefs becoming the first NFL team to go undefeated in the regular season since the New England Patriots in 2007.
History and hyperbole are plentiful as the Chiefs (9-0) land in Buffalo for what is being framed as the marquee game of Week 11 and potentially the 2024 regular season.
Based on recent matchups between these rivals, the final minutes are likely to be worth the wait yet again in this storybook series. The Chiefs have come from behind eight times this season, while the Bills have won three teams when trailing at the half.
It's just the fifth time since 1970 that NFL teams with eight or more wins meet in Week 11 or sooner. The home team won each of the previous four matchups.
Kansas City is attempting to become the first team to go undefeated in a 17-game regular season.
It's tough to discern where the momentum stands even with the Chiefs entering the game undefeated.
They needed a last-second blocked field goal to knock off the Denver Broncos last week, sparking Mahomes to send a warning to his teammates.
"I mean, you're playing the best. The best of the best. That's what you want in this league," he said of facing Josh Allen and the Bills. "I've been able to go up against Josh a multitude of times, and every single game it seems like it comes down to the very end. He is a guy that competes and has that fire. I think you can see that fire that he plays with and that kind of goes through his entire team."
Buffalo, which has won five consecutive wins overall, has claimed the past three regular-season games in the series, all of which were played in Kansas City. And the Bills can still tap into a revenge factor. The eventual repeat Super Bowl champion Chiefs eliminated the Bills in the AFC divisional playoffs 27-24 at Buffalo in January.
Despite owning good individual stats against Kansas City, Allen is focusing on the bottom line.
"I know we haven't beat them in the playoffs," he said on Wednesday, "so that's the only thing that really matters."
The matchup features two of the most successful quarterbacks in the NFL: two-time MVP Mahomes and the decorated but overshadowed Allen.
Their offenses have been getting the job done in different ways. Although Mahomes has just three more touchdowns (12) than interceptions, Kansas City hangs onto the ball thanks to a league-leading third-down conversion rate (52 percent).
The Bills are tied for third in points per game (29) -- the Chiefs average 24.3 -- and Allen didn't throw two picks in a game until a win over the Indianapolis Colts last week.
Buffalo leads the NFL in turnover margin at plus-13. And the Bills bring a respectable defense of their own. The group is allowing just 19.3 points per game and has 19 takeaways, the latter figure ranking second in the league.
Red-zone defense figures to be paramount against a Chiefs offense that keys off Mahomes' dynamic decision-making and threat to run or unleash brazen throws.
Buffalo allows touchdowns on just 47.2 percent of red-zone incursions (eighth in the NFL), while the Chiefs have scored on 53.6 percent of the time (13th).
The Kansas City defense, meanwhile, allows just 17.9 points per game (tied for fifth best) and is fourth in yards allowed (289.9).
"I think they do a great job switching the looks that they're giving," Allen said. "Obviously, we know Chris Jones is a game-wrecker, one of the best if not the best interior D linemen in the game right now. You pair that up with some of their DBs and linebackers and they're flying all over the field. ... We're going to have our hands full."
Allen is tied for fourth in the NFL with 17 touchdown passes. All four of his interceptions this season have come in the past three games.
"He's doing a great job with the ball," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "He's using everybody and he's not forcing anything in there, obviously, so I think he's doing great with his decision-making."
However, Allen's decimated receiving corps will present another difficult scenario against Kansas City. Rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) will be absent on Sunday, and wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is questionable.
Buffalo outside linebacker Matt Milano (biceps) also was ruled out, while right tackle Spencer Brown (ankle) was listed as questionable.
Kansas City will be without kicker Harrison Butker, who underwent left knee surgery on Friday. He landed on injured reserve, with the Chiefs adding Spencer Shrader of the New York Jets' practice squad as a replacement.
The Chiefs had some encouraging injury news this week with defensive end Charles Omenihu (knee) and running back Isiah Pacheco (ankle) returning to practice. Neither will play on Sunday, though. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) is expected to return.
After Sunday, the Chiefs finish the regular season with the Panthers, Raiders, Chargers, Browns, Texans, Steelers and Broncos. Those teams have averaged four wins so far this season. Only the Chargers, Texans and Steelers currently have a winning record. Kansas City beat the Chargers 17-10 in Los Angeles on Sept. 29.
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Bender's Favorite NFL DFS Pickem Picks: Week 11
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 11
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 11
- YOUTUBE VIDEO: Bender DFS Pickem Plays: Week 11
- Jaguars could fire GM, coach Doug Pederson during bye week
- 49ers TE George Kittle expected to sit vs. Seahawks
- Raiders activate TE Michael Mayer
- Patriots waiving WR Tyquan Thornton
- Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 11
- Seahawks C Connor Williams retires, WR DK Metcalf set to return
- Texans star WR Nico Collins (hamstring) will return vs. Cowboys
- Lions TE Sam LaPorta (shoulder) sitting out vs. Jaguars
- Bears OG Teven Jenkins (ankle) out, DE Montez Sweat (ankle) questionable vs. Pack
- Packers rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd out with appendicitis
- Jets expect WR Davante Adams (wrist/illness) to play vs. Colts
- Week 11 NFL Capsules
- Bengals WR Tee Higgins (quad) to return vs. Chargers
- Bills' Dalton Kincaid out, Amari Cooper questionable vs. Chiefs
- Chiefs K Harrison Butker undergoes surgery on left knee
- Chiefs pluck untested Spencer Shrader from Jets, place PK Harrison Butker (knee) on IR
- Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (wrist) plans to play, claims surgery on table
- Cowboys to proceed with Rico Dowdle as lead RB
- Lions TE Sam LaPorta (shoulder) misses practice again
- Week 11 TNF: Commanders-Eagles Preview, Props & Prediction
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Rankings PPR
- Fantasy Six Pack: Fantasy Football Start-Sit Week 11 | Lamb Chopped? Should You Start CeeDee Lamb?
- Fantasy Life: Best Bets For Sunday Night Football Week 11: Chargers vs Bengals
- Fantasy Life: Week 11 Fantasy Football Replacements For George Kittle
- Fantasy Life: Week 11 Afternoon Slate Betting Guide
- Fantasy Life: Deep Sleepers To Stream In Week 11
- Fantasy Life: Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Jonathan Taylor, Jauan Jennings, and More
The Paur Report
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 11
Las Vegas Raiders running backs Zamir White (quad) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) both exited during Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins. The two running backs were listed as questionable in the waning minutes of the contest. White finished Week 11 with just five carries for nine yards and did not get involved as a receiver. Mattison also rushed five times, picking up 19 yards on the ground. He also caught all three of his targets for 50 yards through the air. Moving forward, Mattison is the only Raiders running back worth rostering in 12-team fantasy leagues. Even then, he's tough to trust in starting lineups given the weakened state of the Raiders' offense. Fantasy managers should, of course, continue to monitor both running backs' injury statuses ahead of Week 12 against the Denver Broncos.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (head) was taken to the locker room for concussion evaluation during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 11 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. At the moment, the Titans have not disclosed whether Spears was officially diagnosed with a concussion. Operating as the backup to Tony Pollard on Sunday, Spears registered three carries for zero yards on the ground. He also caught two of his three targets for an additional gain of eight yards through the air. Fantasy managers should monitor Spears' status going forward, but Pollard continues to be the only Tennessee running back worth starting in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) has been ruled out for the remainder of Week 11 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is a crushing loss for the Ravens given that Smith led the team in total tackles and tackles for loss at the time of his departure on Sunday. The veteran defender finishes the divisional battle with 13 total tackles, including two tackles for loss. Malik Harrison projects to earn more snaps for the duration of Smith's absence.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (cramps) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans and is officially questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had caught three of his eight targets for 61 yards and one touchdown. Even if Addison doesn't return in Week 11, fantasy managers should feel confident about his ability to recover and be available for the Vikings next weekend in Chicago. He continues to rank as an intriguing WR3/FLEX option in most fantasy leagues. In the meantime, Jalen Nailor will step up as the Vikings' No. 2 wide receiver behind Justin Jefferson.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 11 contest against the Minnesota Vikings. Gibbens was carted off the field in the third quarter. He had not registered a tackle prior to his departure. Jerome Baker should see increased defensive snaps for the duration of Gibbens' absence.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. Davis finished Week 11 with three targets, one catch, and three receiving yards. The Jaguars are shorthanded on offense with Trevor Lawrence (shoulder), Tank Bigsby (ankle), and Christian Kirk (sidelined), and now Davis joins that list. Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington will step up as Jacksonville's top receivers until the 25-year-old can return.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander (knee) will not return to the Week 11 game because of his knee injury.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills WR Amari Cooper (wrist) is officially active for the Week 11 game.
Fantasy Spin: Cooper likely will see a handful of targets this week against the Kansas City Chiefs and can be at least a flex option in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) left Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears with a knee injury, and the team has listed him as questionable to return. With the injury coming in the second half, the team could play it safe and keep him on the sidelines. Corey Ballentine is the next man up on the depth chart and will try to secure a division win.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiverAmari Cooper(wrist) is officially active for Sunday's Week 11 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Cooper had been listed as questionable and was seen wearing a cast prior to kickoff, but the expectation was that he'd be able to play. We previously heard from ESPN's Adam Schefter that Cooper would be active but might have a reduced workload in his return from a two-game absence. As a result, fantasy managers should feel comfortable deploying Cooper as nothing more than a WR3/FLEX. He has been productive when healthy, but a potential snap count or partial decoy role could limit some of his upside on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers have declared DT Kevin Givens, DT Khalil Davis, OG Ben Bartch, WR Ronnie Bell, CB Charvarius Ward and TE George Kittle inactive for Week 11.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) has been declared inactive for the Week 11 game.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation to see how long Kittle will be sidelined. Players could not consider starting any of the other 49ers tight ends this week, but Ricky Pearsall may see a boost in value and could be a possible flex option in some leagues.
From TheHuddle
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns CB Denzel Ward (chest) has been able to return to the Week 11 game after missing some time because of a chest injury.
From TheHuddle
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is officially deemed inactive for the Week 11 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. He was already not expected to play, so it doesn't come as too much of a surprise. That leaves Eric Saubert as the next man up. Deebo Samuel Sr., Jauan Jennings, and Christian McCaffrey could also see some added targets.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and edge rusher Nick Bosa (hip) have both been ruled active ahead of their Week 11 matchup against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. Williams has constantly been a key piece to the offensive line and the pass protection for quarterback Brock Purdy, while Bosa is just as important on the other side of the ball for the defense. Having two major pieces ruled active is a big relief for a 49ers team that will be without tight end George Kittle (hamstring) on offense.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions LB Alex Anzalone (forearm) suffered a forearm injury during the Week 11 game and is considered questionable to return.
From TheHuddle
Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander (knee) suffered a knee injury during the Week 11 game and is considered questionable to return.
From TheHuddle
The Atlanta Falcons have declared CB Antonio Hamilton, LB JD Bertrand, CB Dee Alford, LB Troy Andersen, OT Brandon Parker, CB Mike Hughes and TE Charlie Woerner inactive for Week 11.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints tight end Foster Moreau (shoulder) has returned to the game on Sunday after briefly exiting with a shoulder injury. So far, Taysom Hill and Juwan Johnson have taken the bigger snap share when it comes to the tight end spot. Moreau will look to get into the mix during the second half while the Saints lead 14-6.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets DE Haason Reddick (ankle) suffered an ankle injury during the Week 11 game and is considered questionable to return.
From TheHuddle
