It took a little longer than usual, but the Kansas City Chiefs once again look like a Super Bowl favourite.
After starting the season 2-3, the Chiefs have now rattled off three straight wins by a combined score of 89-24.
Much to the dismay of many fan bases around the NFL, the Chiefs are back to playing like a team that no one wants to see come playoff time.
And no one knows that better than their opponent this weekend.
Since 2020, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are 4-0 against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in the post-season. Each loss a new form of heartbreak for Bills fans still waiting to see their team host the Lombardi Trophy for the first time.
“They do not like the Chiefs,” Mahomes said of the Bills fans.
Hard to blame them.
If there is some good news for the Bills, it’s that they have actually had the Chiefs’ number in the regular season, winning the last four in a row.
But if Josh Allen and the Bills are going to make it five wins in a row, they’re going to need to find a way to kick-start a struggling passing game.
Over his last four games, Allen has thrown four interceptions and been sacked 10 times. Outside of running back James Cook, who rushed for a career-best 216 yards in last week’s win over the Carolina Panthers, the Bills still lack another dynamic playmaker who can make life easier on Allen.
On the other side, Mahomes has his No. 1 weapon back, as wide receiver Rashee Rice has 16 receptions for 135 yards and three touchdowns in his first two games back from suspension.
It’s going to be a lot for Allen to keep pace with, but with a hostile crowd on their side, and playoff seeding implications on the line, you best believe the Bills will be more than ready for the challenge.
Here are some other key storylines to keep an eye on in Week 9:
Taylor for MVP?
The NFL MVP has basically turned into the “best quarterback award.”
Not since Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in 2012 has a non-QB taken home the award.
But Indianapolis Colts bell cow Jonathan Taylor is doing his best to change that this season.
Taylor has been on an absolute tear for the 7-1 Colts, and leads the league in rushing yards (850), rushing TDs (12) and total touchdowns (14).
His 14 total touchdowns are equal to or more than the number that the Browns, Saints, Falcons, Raiders and Titans have all season.
“His vision has been off the charts,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said of Taylor. “But the physicality, the way he’s running through these arm tackles and spinning 360 (degrees) off these guys and getting the extra yards and toe tapping on the sidelines. I mean, it’s hard to really explain because it’s so impressive to watch.”
With Taylor leading the way, the Colts’ offence leads the league in both total yards and points scored, and the team is well on its way to making the playoffs for the first time in five years.
Now it was always going to be difficult for Taylor to bring home MVP, especially when you consider guys like Mahomes and Patriots QB Drake Maye are making strong cases as well, but Taylor has certainly done his part.
And Sunday’s game against an underperforming Pittsburgh Steelers defence is a perfect opportunity for Taylor to boost his case.
Round 2 for J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy’s NFL career is off to a rocky start.
After missing his entire rookie season with a knee injury, McCarthy lasted just two games this year before going on the shelf again with a high-ankle sprain.
But he returns this Sunday after a five-game absence and it couldn’t have come at a better time, as Carson Wentz, who took over for McCarthy, underwent season-ending shoulder surgery this week.
Unfortunately for the young QB, his return to game action comes against a Detroit Lions team that is 5-2 and coming in nice and rested off a bye week.
Is it fair to say that there is a ton of pressure on McCarthy to perform well in just his third NFL game, on the road, against a great team, while also coming off an injury?
Maybe not.
But the Vikings let Sam Darnold walk last season because they believed McCarthy was the answer. And after Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record last year, he’s continued his strong play with the 5-2 Seattle Seahawks this season, leaving many Vikings fans to wonder what could’ve been.
Add in the fact that the Vikings are 3-4 and sitting in the basement of the NFC North, and unfair or not, the pressure is already building for the 22-year-old McCarthy.
Game to watch: Denver Broncos (6-2) @ Houston Texans (3-4) — Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
If you like defence, boy, do we have a game for you.
Houston’s defence is allowing just 266.9 yards and 14.7 points per game this season. The 103 points the Texans have given up are the fewest in franchise history through seven games, per ESPN research.
Then you have the Broncos, who have 36 sacks this season, 10 more than any other team.
Add in the fact that the Broncos have won five straight and the Texans put together their most complete game of the season last week in a win over the 49ers, and this game seems like the perfect appetizer for Bills-Chiefs.
Forrest’s favourites (Season record: 14-7 — All odds courtesy of BetMGM):
Chiefs @ Bills — Pick: Chiefs -2: In a matchup between two teams that know each other very well, we’ll side with the Chiefs who look to be firing on all cylinders right now.
Colts @ Steelers — Pick: Colts -3: The Colts are playing like the best team in football right now, so this is no place to bet against them.
Jaguars @ Raiders — Pick: Jaguars -2.5: The Raiders have done nothing in recent weeks to show they are a competitive team. Take the Jags on the road.
Full Week 9 schedule (All times ET)
WEEK 9
Thursday, Oct. 30
Baltimore 28, Miami 6
Sunday, Nov. 2
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
Atlanta at New England, 1 p.m.
Chicago at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
LA Chargers at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
San Francisco at NY Giants, 1 p.m.
Carolina at Green Bay, 1 p.m.
Denver at Houston, 1 p.m.
Minnesota at Detroit, 1 p.m.
Jacksonville at Las Vegas, 4:05 p.m.
New Orleans at LA Rams, 4:05 p.m.
Kansas City at Buffalo, 4:25 p.m.
Seattle at Washington, 8:20 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 3
Arizona at Dallas, 8:15 p.m.
BYES: Cleveland, NY Jets, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay
