Bills receive two important boosts ahead of matchup with Chiefs, and one could immensely impact how the game unfolds
Some good news for Bills Mafia ahead of the matchup.
Hours before kickoff between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, the Bills got some potentially good news in more ways than one.
It’s been reported that Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has been ruled out, leaving the Chiefs without one of their top playmakers. Brashard Smith, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Kareem Hunt are expected to take over the bulk of the carries for the day. The Chiefs have a three-headed monster in the running back room, using Pacheco, Hunt, and Smith to do most of the damage, so his absence will be felt, even if only slightly for the Chiefs’ offense.
Pacheco suffered a sprained MCL during the closing minutes of the game against the Washington Commanders and avoided a long-term injury. It’s been reported that Pacheco will be returning to the team after the bye week. Buffalo gets a little bit of a boost.
Bills get a big boost, but it’s going to take a while
Perhaps the far more exciting news is that NFL insider Ian Rapoport said that the Bills could be getting back defensive tackle Ed Oliver for the first or second round of the NFL playoffs, an exciting boost for the team. Rapoport also expressed that the Bills are in the market for a defensive tackle in Oliver’s absence as the trade deadline approaches.
“There’s a real chance that Oliver is back for the first round or maybe even second round of the playoff [ . . . ] They believe there’s a good chance that he returns,” Rapoport said.
Buffalo is looking a little banged up for Week 9
The Chiefs aren’t the only team shorthanded heading into the matchup, as the Bills are going to be down a few key playmakers. Head coach Sean McDermott has already ruled out linebacker Shaq Thompson, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, and wide receiver Josh Palmer. Another last-second injury at practice to nickel cornerback Taron Johnson puts his status in doubt.
It’s going to be a fight in Buffalo against one of the top teams in football, without some important pieces for the Bills. Quarterback Josh Allen has always risen to the occasion against the Chiefs, but the lack of separation from his receivers gives cause for concern.
On the bright side, Oliver may be back sooner than expected, and that’s about all the good news Bills Mafia needed to hear. All that’s left to do is wait, and we won’t have to wait long as the teams are set for action at 4:25 p.m. EDT.
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