Matchups between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs are always must-see games. But this weekend’s contest between the two sides holds some extra weight, as the loser could be out of the playoff picture entirely entering the second half of the season.
Loser Of Chiefs vs. Bills Could Be Out Of Playoff Picture
Both teams have endured tough stretches early on in the 2025 season. The Bills lost two in a row after winning their first four, and it appeared as though their shortcomings were catching up with them. But a statement win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 provided a nice bounce back, but at 5-2, they’re still looking up at the New England Patriots in the AFC East.
The Chiefs looked like they had lost some of their championship luster early on. Patrick Mahomes and company limped out to a 2-3 start, but have since righted the ship and have now won three straight. While it looks like they’ve regained their footing, they are still currently sitting in third place in their division.
The loser of the KC/BUF game will be out of the playoffs at the halfway point if Jacksonville beats LV
— Kevin Massare (@KevinMassare) October 28, 2025
A loss by either team could prove costly for their playoff hopes. If the Jacksonville Jaguars defeat the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, then the loser of the game between the Bills and Chiefs will be on the outside of the current playoff picture.
As it stands heading into the weekend, Buffalo is in the 5th seed, while Kansas City is in the 7th and final spot in the AFC.
The two sides have met nine times since 2020, including the postseason. The Bills have won each of the last four regular season matchups, but the Chiefs have had the upper hand when it matters most. Each of the four playoff meetings have ended with Kansas City being victorious.
Kansas City Could Be Behind Buffalo By 3 Games After This Weekend
While the game will be important for both teams, it is critical for the Chiefs. A loss would not only drop them to 5-4, but they’d be a full two games back of Buffalo in the overall AFC standings. They’d be on the wrong end of the head-to-head tiebreaker, too, essentially putting them three games behind the Bills in the race for home field advantage.
According to the oddsmakers, Kansas City should have the slight advantage on Sunday. Despite being the visiting team, the Chiefs are currently listed as 1.5-point favorites, and ESPN’s matchup predictor gives them a 57.2% chance of victory.
