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The Chiefs offense is the worst personnel wise they've had in Mahomes era, but the D is by far the best.

Bolton will play but not 100%

Reading between the lines, seems like Pacheco is an injured reserve/out for year candidate.

Pacheco, LT Smith, LB Tranquill, S Cook all ruled out.

With rookie Wanya Morris starting at left tackle, who is a much better run blocker than pass blocker, this was setting up to be a big run heavy game for Chiefs.

Can't be understated how brutal of a blow this is for KC. They have NOTHING on offense. Left tackle also about to miss, replaced by a rookie.

The article's narrative is basically that Sean McDermott is a deeply insecure control-freak egomaniac who can't connect with players or his assistant coaches and that his doom-and-gloom outlook, where he expects the worst and hopes for the best, is ultimately holding the Bills back. Put simply, you can't win with someone like this, and the Bills must move on—or else. The article cites numerous examples of why McDermott's methods are broken and unsustainable. And yet: 2019: 10-6 (fluke playoff loss) 2020: 13-3 (lost to generational Chiefs team) 2021: 11-6 (lost to generational Chiefs team in flukiest way imaginable) 2022: 13-3 (lost to incredible Bengals team, who would later lose to generational Chiefs team) 2023: 9-8 (potentially 10-7 or even 11-6 if lightning strikes) His 7-year record of 68-41 (62%) is one of the best stretches in NFL history to begin a coaching tenure. You can say he has Josh Allen, but he's had a top-5 level defense four times in this stretch. Within the McDermott era, the Bills went from basement to top of the division, while Belichick and his brilliant coaching methods now sits in last place, unable to score a single point some weeks. All this to say: McDermott is a deeply flawed coach, no doubt. I can even buy that in some cases the Bills have won despite him. But the article portrays him like he's as unaccomplished as Josh McDaniels. There's some room for nuance here.

The article would have been much more effective without the editorialization. I don't question the writer's integrity as far as taking direct quotes from actual people who are involved (then and now.) But it's a rough read when he takes the tone that he does himself.

Chiefs LB Nick Bolton somewhat surprisingly a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Has been out since midseason. Seems like he'll be in line to make his return which would be a major boost to KC defense. LT Donovan Smith seems unlikely as does LB Drue Tranquill (concussion). Jerick McKinnon limited today but seems like a go. Pacheco did not practice today.

the chiefs are dead last in the afc in net penalties.

bad officiating is completely random and always has been.

Oh good, the Bills have their very own Tyreek Hill.

If the Bills run the table, they are 95% likely to get in. It would take literally almost every game to break wrong along the way (we're talking 10+ games). It's nearly impossible given that the Texans/Colts play each other, the Colts/Steelers play each other, and the Texans/Browns play each other, just in the final four weeks alone.

If every team that's favored wins next week, here's the AFC playoff picture: 1. Chiefs 9-3 2. Jaguars 9-3 3. Dolphins 9-3 4. Ravens 9-3 5. Steelers 8-4 6. Browns 7-5 7. Colts 7-5 8. Texans 7-5 9. Broncos 6-6 10. Bills 6-6 11. Bengals 5-7 12. Raiders 5-7 Now, let's assume the Bills beat the Chiefs a week later coming off the bye, and once again, every favored team wins. Here's what the standings would look like through Week 14 with four weeks to play: 1. Jaguars 10-3 2. Dolphins 10-3 3. Ravens 10-3 4. Chiefs 9-4 5. Steelers 9-4 6. Colts 8-5 7. Texans 8-5 8. Browns 7-6 9. Bills 7-6 10. Broncos 6-7 The Bills (7-6) would have a 21% chance with four left to play (vs Cowboys, at Chargers, vs Patriots, at Dolphins). Here's would be each team's remaining schedule with 4 to play: Steelers (9-4): at Colts, vs Bengals, at Seahawks, at Ravens. *most likely record: 10-7 Colts (8-5): vs Steelers, at Falcons, vs Raiders, vs Texans *most likely record: 10-7 Texans (8-5): at Titans, vs Browns, vs Titans, at Colts *most likely record: 10-7 Browns (7-6): vs Bears, at Texans, vs Jets, at Bengals *most likely record: 9-8 Broncos (6-7): at Lions, vs Patriots, vs Chargers, at Raiders *most likely record: 8-9 In my opinion, if the Bills do anything but run the table, they're going to have a really tough time getting in at 10-7. The Steelers' schedule is so easy that 10-7 seems like a worst-case scenario and they currently look like the most likely 5-seed. The Colts and Texans - the current favorite to be the 6 or 7 seed, depending on heads-up result - both have clear paths to 10-7 records and one of them could even finish 11-6. If the Bills dropped a game coming in to finish 10-7, they lose the tiebreaker to every team on this list. The absolute best-case scenario, barring something totally unforeseen injury wise to the Steelers, Colts or Texans, is that the Bills MIGHT have a chance at a win-and-get-in game vs the Dolphins in the finale.

It's so stupid that this classic game ended so abruptly. The Bills got a field goal in overtime, the Eagles responded with a touchdown, but did so with time still left on the clock. There was 2:37 still left! Why is the game over? Why even have a clock at all? I have zero doubt Josh would have drove the Bills down the field for a go-ahead score before the end of overtime. But instead, this corrupt league, which ALWAYS has it out for the Bills in every way, sticks it to them yet again. The game should go on. Who in America didn't want to see Josh orchestrate a game-winning TD drive? I know who: The Eagles and the league who is in their pocket, that's who.

The Bills pass rush can definitely get them off the field vs Philly.

Mods, can we rename this thread (and most others) the Official Cry About The Refs Thread.

toney's cuts are among the best ive ever seen.

there hasnt been a single roughing the passer penalty against mahomes this year and the chiefs are 2nd to last in net penalties on the year. good narrative though!

Sounds like you'll be making a lot of money. And by definition, a division game is NOT a coin flip when the spread is -7 or higher.

They're a 1-point underdog to the Browns. They'll be a near pick 'em at Bengals. They'll be a near pick 'em at Colts. They'll be a 5-pt underdog at Seahawks. They'll be 7-pt underdog at Ravens. So basically they'll be a coin flip three times and a sizable underdog twice. They will almost surely drop at least two more games, probably three, and as many as four. That means 12-5, 11-6 or 10-7. All of which are definitely not good enough to secure the #1 seed.

https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/a-gambling-sharp-breaks-into-the-nfl There is, of course, more than one way to succeed. Sharp’s multiple revenue streams—gambling, talking about gambling, advising other gamblers, and consulting for N.F.L. teams—all bring their own rewards. Sharp has a young son, and he told me the story of watching an N.F.L. game with him on TV, last winter. As one team approached the opponent’s goal line, he told his son to keep an eye on a rarely targeted tight end, who, on the very next play, caught an improbable touchdown. “I’m embarrassed to say I jumped up and started swinging my jacket in the air,” he told me. “I was so happy.” Days before, Sharp had sent the team’s offensive play-caller a weekly memo with strategy suggestions, including that pass. I phoned the coach to ask about the play. He chuckled, perhaps hesitant to disclose a secret weapon, before confirming that he had, indeed, run a Sharp special. “We talk at least once a week,” the coach said. “I have a lot of respect for Warren. I like surrounding myself with intelligent people. Football is a thinking man’s game, too.”

So Josh Allen is doing too many commercials and his "mind is not on football." Are you suggesting that Mahomes' mind is not on football? Is Kelce's mind not on football? How do they keep winning, year after year, while simultaneously golfing all summer, doing SNL, dozens of commercials, traveling around to MLB playoff games and World Series games and Taylor Swift concerts in Argentina (in season!) Mahomes is at MLB and NBA games at least once a week. Even Andy Reid has been in State Farm and Snickers commercials just this year. Is his mind not on football? You can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Says it was one of the weakest taunting calls he's ever seen. Linked to clip: 1:33:34 mark.

the best coach comparisons for mcdermott based on his current trajectory: tony dungy bill cowher marty schottenheimer dungy and cowher broke through. marty did not. i'd argue marty was likely the best of the three.