By Shawn Stewart

Monday, Oct. 19 at 5:00 p.m. ET

FOX/NFL Network

SPREAD: Chiefs, -4.5

In 2020, and with COVID-19,  we have seen it all. A Tuesday night NFL game, and now an early Monday afternoon game. So, I guess the big question is, are you ready for some Monday Afternoon Football?  This contest features two first-place teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills. Both teams lead their respective divisions with a 4-1 record, but both teams are coming off embarrassing losses. The Chiefs were handled by the Raiders at Arrow Head, where they gave up 40 points,  and the Bills were demolished by the Tennessee Titans in Nashville on Tuesday night.  Both teams are looking to get back on the winning track and they both have the man behind center to accomplish that. This could possibly be a preview for what lies ahead in January when the playoffs begin.

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City has had the Bills number as of late, winning 3 of the last 4 matchups. The offenses for both teams have been outstanding.  Patrick Mahomes, for the Chiefs, has thrown for 1474 yards and 13 touchdowns already and is looking like the MVP from last year's Super Bowl championship team. Both teams rank in the top 5 in total offense and are both in the top 3 in passing offense.  The defensive units for both teams have struggled at times this season, especially this past weekend.  The rushing attack needs to get back on track for both teams. Just days before the matchup, the Chiefs signed Le'Veon Bell to be a nice compliment to Clyde Edwards- Helaire. It will be very interesting to see if a change of scenery is just what the disgruntled running back needs. For Kansas City, the defensive unit ranks 22 overall, but they have allowed 20 points or fewer in 4 of the 5 games this season.   Travis Kelce has been a fantasy stud this year. He leads all tight ends in receiving yards this season, and the Bills defense has allowed the most receiving to the tight end position. The Bills are going to have their hands full in this game.  

Buffalo Bills

On the other side, Josh Allen, for the Bills is quietly having himself a phenomenal start to the season. Allen has thrown for just under 1600 yards and 14 touchdowns and has someone else besides the New England Patriots in first place in the AFC East Division.  In his first 16 starts of his NFL career, Josh Allen posted a 9-7 record, with only 15 touchdown passes to 19 interceptions. He has fared much better in his last 16 starts, which include a 10-6 record, 29 touchdown passes to only 5 interceptions. However, the Bills rank just 27th in the league in rushing and have not had much success in that department, so if the Bills have any chance in this game, they will need to run the football and play Buffalo Bills defense. The Bills defense currently ranks 19th in the league.  However, the defense for the Bills has allowed almost 29 points per game this season, where they only allowed just over 16 points a game in 2019.

Prediction

Despite both teams sitting at winning records, this is already a much needed win for each franchise. Both teams must avoid this game putting them on a losing streak. With both of these teams likely making deep runs into the AFC playoffs, this matchup will be huge. It is going to give us an early look as to which team sits above the rest. This will be an extremely close game all around. The team that can put pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback and forces a few turnovers is going to win this game. Given that Buffalo is coming off a season low zero sacks in Week 5, it does not look good for them. Both offenses are going to come out firing, so this game might be determined by how well the defenses play. Both teams are going to come out firing, trying to bounce back.

SHAWN’S PREDICTION: Chiefs 31 - 21

AJ’S PREDICTION: Bills 27 - 23

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