Kansas City vs. Buffalo (Chiefs ML)
(NFL) Kansas City vs. Buffalo,
Money Line: 130.00 Kansas City (Away)
Result: Win
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The current state of the Bills' defense is troublesome, as several key players are out, five starters are questionable to play, and several backups are also injured. The majority of the injuries are in the Buffalo secondary, which Patrick Mahomes will be eager to take advantage of. The home team is also playing a shorter week, as the postponement of the Bills' Wild Card game leaves them at a disadvantage versus the Chiefs, who played two days earlier.

The Kansas City passing game has been underwhelming compared to recent seasons, but it isn't lacking playmakers, especially since the emergence of Rashee Rice (79 receptions for 938 yards and seven TDs). Still, I expect the Chiefs to stick to shorter, quick throws and lean on the ground game (43 percent of its snaps in the past three weeks), as the backbone of this team is Steve Spagnuolo's defense.

Kansas City has been stout all season, ranking seventh in Defensive DVOA and sixth in EPA allowed per play. The secondary has been locked in (2nd in passing yards allowed), and the pass rush has been excellent (2nd in sacks). It will be in for a challenge against Josh Allen, who has put his team on his back the past two games, but it's capable of getting the job done.

In the eight games that the Chiefs have been road underdogs since Mahomes became QB1, they are 6-2 SU and 7-0-1 ATS.  For those bettors interested in referee trends, KC is 8-2 SU in games with Shawn Hochuli, too. With the Bills laying only 2.5 points and the moneyline at tempting +130 odds, I'm confident the best value is on the Chiefs ML.