Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Sunday's AFC Divisional Round game is as big as it gets for a non-Super Bowl matchup.
Baked into the win or go home game is tons of history that will have Buffalo Bills fans on edge come Sunday evening.
Despite coming in as the less healthy team, Bills fans have plenty of reasons to feel great about Buffalo's chances to finally beat the Kansas City Chiefs in a playoff game.
The Buffalo offense has been as multi-dimensional as ever under interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Head coach Sean McDermott has withstood tons of injuries to have his defense back to playing like a top-five unit. And, of course, the Bills are home to play the Chiefs for the first time in years.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs' offense is at its worst form since Patrick Mahomes has been the quarterback. Kansas City has averaged roughly 28 points every year that Mahomes has been there. This year, they're just averaging 21. A full touchdown difference.
The biggest issue the Chiefs have faced is their lack of talent at the wide receiver position, combined with tight end Travis Kelce taking a giant step back in production.
The Chiefs lead the NFL in drops by a wide margin, highlighted by Kadarius Toney's five drops. This included multiple drops by Toney in the opener against the Detroit Lions that directly cost the Chiefs the game.
Toney, of course, was also the man that lined up way offsides in Kansas City's Week 14 matchup with the Bills, costing the Chiefs a possible win.
If the Bills can't beat this Chiefs team in the playoffs, it'll feel like they never will.
That is where the biggest source of nervousness comes from with this game. Yes, the Chiefs are a challenge, but not like past years. That pit you feel in your stomach comes from what it will be like if the Bills don't win on Sunday.
What comes next are conversations about McDermott's job security, as they do after every playoff loss. Conversations about the NFL Draft, contracts, and how to get over the Chiefs-hump.
Conversations that make you feel like you're banging your head on the ceiling repeatedly.
Josh Allen's Bills will become what Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts once were: Constantly criticized for their inability to get past Tom Brady's New England Patriots.
"Can't win the big one," will become all too common when talking about the Bills.
The pain of 13 Seconds will increase even more. Another year of wondering if that's the closest they'll ever get.
All of this can be avoided with a win on Sunday in Orchard Park. The world for Bills fans will be totally different with a win than with a loss.
Sure, there will be another game the next week in Baltimore against the Ravens before getting to the Super Bowl, but if the Bills finally slay the Kansas City dragon, we'll all feel like they're invincible. That nothing can get in their way.
So be optimistic heading into Sunday.
Even with the injuries, the Bills have what it takes to beat the Chiefs. They just have to do it.
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