Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 11/8

Chiefs vs. Bills: Five Things to Watch from The Mothership

Alex Smith's demeanor inside the pocket

For the third consecutive game, the Chiefs offense will face a defense that consists of some of the top players in the NFL along the defensive line.

Against the St. Louis Rams it was Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn, last week it was Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson for the Jets and this week for the Bills it's the foursome of Jerry Hughes, Kyle Williams, Marcel Dareus and Mario Williams...

...For the Chiefs, one thing that's always praised about Alex Smith is his calmness inside of the pocket and his ability to make good decisions in the midst of chaos.

Buffalo Bills: A Closer Look from The Mothership

Normally when you see a lot of sacks from a defense, the takeaways will be there too. That's the case with the Bills, who have forced 18 turnovers already this season.

They're led in the secondary by cornerback Leodis McKelvin, who has four interceptions this season. But McKelvin is just one of eight defensive players for the Bills defense that has an interception.

"I feel like every week, teams have good fronts and [Buffalo] does," quarterback Alex Smith said. "This group has a really good front. For me, I'm trying not so much to think about those guys but the guys down the field and making good decisions and getting the ball out.

"With that though, you don't want to sit back there and hold onto it and create problems, and when you do, you want to be good with the ball in the pocket and be responsible."

Practice Recap 11/07: Beating the Buffalo Bills Defense from The Mothership

In the first game against the Tennessee Titans, Alex Smith was sacked four times for a loss of 24 yards behind an offensive line that struggled.

But since then, the Chiefs have only given up 15 sacks, and from Week 2 on, that's tied for the fourth best mark in the entire league (only the Bengals, Patriots and Saints have been better).

When you consider that this is the same line that was originally thought start a completely different combination in the preseason, it's a remarkable feat.

Chiefs vs. Bills: How to Watch and Listen from The Mothership

WR Dwayne Bowe has 6,799 receiving yards, ranking him third in team history for most yards catching the ball. He needs 508 yards to pass WR Otis Taylor for second place.

Chiefs linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston take pride in their abilities in getting after the opposing team's quarterback. The two have combined for 116 total sacks. Hali needs 9.5 sacks to pass Neil Smith for second in team history in that category. Houston is averaging over one sack per game thus far this season.

Chiefs Defense Ranks Among Best in NFL from The Mothership

In the pass-happy NFL we see today, through eight games, the Kansas City Chiefs defense stands alone atop the NFL's best at shutting down the face of the new NFL.

That face, whether by athlete or rule, consists of big offensive plays and a highlight reel focus that is centered on offensive action and playmaking.

The receivers are bigger and stronger, even changing the face of what a tight end is supposed to look like. The rules have been adapted to heavily favor the offense.

Earlier this season, the Chiefs lost one of their leaders, perennial Pro Bowler and one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL, Derrick Johnson, not to mention a starting defensive end in Mike DeVito. Eric Berry, the three-time Pro Bowler, has missed the majority of the first half of the season as well.

All the while, the Chiefs pass defense ranks No. 1 in the NFL by allowing just 199.4 yards per game.

Making an Impact in the Community from The Mothership

On Thursday morning, 45 members of the Chiefs staff and 10 cheerleaders hopped on a bus and headed out to Kessler Park in Kansas City, Missouri to volunteer their time and effort, in hopes of making an impact in the community...

"...This event was in conjunction with Bridging the Gap and our Extra Yard for the Environment program, which encourages green efforts at Arrowhead and throughout the community," Brandon Hamilton, Chiefs Stadium Operations Director of Facilities, said. "This was a chance to take that next step with our community outreach initiatives and something we could do as an organization to benefit our community."

KCChiefs.com Video: Lions vs. Chiefs in London trailer

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Live!: Orton's Emergence

KCChiefs.com Video: Playbook: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills

KCChiefs.com Video: Andy Reid Press Conference 11/07

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Live!: Facing Another Tough Defense

KCChiefs.com Video: Arrowhead Update 11/07: Headed to Buffalo

KCChiefs.com Video: HyVee Chiefs Insider: Finding an Identity

KCChiefs.com Video: Mayock's Slant: Most Underrated Offensive Player

KCChiefs.com Video: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills Game Preview

KCChiefs.com Video: Mark Donovan Speaks on Chiefs Playing in UK

Week 10: Friday injury report from Chiefs Digest

The Chiefs list Avery (groin), cornerback Jamell Fleming (hamstring) and linebacker Jerry Franklin (hamstring) as out for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

Avery, who returned to the practice field the last two days in a limited fashion, did not practice Friday and will miss a fifth straight game since undergoing a sports hernia procedure on Oct. 3.

Prediction: Chiefs will beat Bills from ESPN

Throw in the fact the Bills haven't run the ball effectively since losing C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson to injury and Buffalo might not get many cracks at the Chiefs' defense.

When they do, they'll be throwing against the NFL's No. 1 pass defense and trying to protect against the NFL leader in sacks, Justin Houston. The Chiefs also lead the league in sacks per opponent pass attempt...

...My prediction: Chiefs 20, Bills 17

Revised prediction: Kansas City Chiefs from ESPN

Preseason prediction: 8-8

Revised prediction: 10-6

Why the Chiefs will finish better: As opposed to last season, when Kansas City lost six of their last eight (including the playoffs) after starting 9-0, what the Chiefs have going now looks to be sustainable.

Week 10 Preview: Chiefs @ Bills from Chiefs Digest

PREDICTION...

...In a close game, look for Kansas City's strong special teams unit to continue creating opportunities as it has in each of the last two games. Additionally, the Chiefs have been better at limiting mistakes. Kansas City has committed the fewest penalties in the NFL this year and rank fifth in fewest giveaways.

Look for the Chiefs to play a mistake-free game, allowing their strong pass defense to take charge late in a close game.

Outcome: Chiefs 24, Bills 21.

Donnie Avery will not play vs. Bills from ESPN

Avery is fast, probably the fastest of the Chiefs' wide receivers if we're not counting De'Anthony Thomas as a true wide out.

But Jenkins is fast, too, and should be capable of stretching the opposing defense. The Chiefs have been surviving without Avery, but they're a better team when he's the one paired with Dwayne Bowe.

Figuring Justin Houston's place in Chiefs history isn't easy from ESPN

Fifty-one games into his career, Houston has already established himself as one of the best pass-rushers in franchise history.

That list is long. Chiefs history is full with premium pass-rushers, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas and two others who have won a season sack title, Neil Smith and Jared Allen. The Chiefs had top pass-rushers in Jerry Mays and Aaron Brown when they had dominant defenses in the late 1960s, before sacks were kept as an official stat.

So figuring where Houston stands among modern pass-rushers might not be difficult, but placing him in Chiefs history is.

Bills seek chance to gain respect in facing Chiefs from The Associated Press via The Houston Chronicle

The game Sunday becomes the latest prove-it or lose-it test for a Bills team that comes out of its bye week. The Bills have won two straight, and displayed resilience in winning three games on their final offensive possession.

They'll face the Chiefs, who are on a roll of their own. Kansas City has won three straight and five of six to climb into a jumbled AFC playoff picture featuring 11 teams with winning records.

"I don't get caught up in all that," Chiefs coach Andy Reid, referring to the standings. "I don't think it does any good. It doesn't help you win the game or that. We're both sitting 5-3, and that's what we are."

Chargers forecast: farewell to Chiefs from The San Diego Union-Tribune

With the Chargers (5-4) in the midst of their bye week, we're looking ahead at each of the remaining seven games. Your chance to pick the winner is below.

Game 16: Sun., Dec. 28, 10 a.m., Arrowhead Stadium

Opponent: Chiefs

Current record: 5-3

W2W4: Buffalo Bills from ESPN

1. Sammy Watkins' status: Watkins was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, indicating that the team has yet to make a final decision on his status. The concern is that Watkins hasn't practiced since leaving Wednesday's session with a groin injury. For a player like Kyle Williams or Fred Jackson, that lack of participation might not be a problem on game day. But for a rookie like Watkins -- despite his talent -- it could be a hard obstacle to overcome in coaches' minds. If Watkins can't play, expect Robert Woods and Chris Hogan to start at wide receiver.

Injuries: Sammy Watkins, Fred Jackson questionable from NFL.com

Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone is backpedaling slightly from his Thursday comments that Fred Jackson is "not ready" for game action just yet.

Speaking to WGR-AM on Friday morning, Marrone said a decision hasn't yet been made on the veteran running back's availability for Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"He's progressing. He's not 100 percent yet," said Marrone, per the team's official website. "So we'll see how it goes the next couple of days. We haven't made a decision either way."

Buffalo Bills embracing underdog role, and 5 things to watch in Week 10 against Kansas City Chiefs from Syracuse.com

Here's what to watch for this week.

1. Justin Houston and the Chiefs' pass rush

We'll find out in a hurry just how much the Bills' offensive line was able to get fixed over the bye week. The Kansas City Chiefs boast one of the top pass rushes in the NFL, led by Justin Houston, who is on pace to break the single-season NFL sack record. Tamba Hali plays opposite Houston and is no slouch, either. Kansas City could be building on that 27-sack total on Sunday.

Chiefs take winning streak on the road from KSPR

The Kansas City Chiefs got off to a slow start but are beginning to resemble the team that cruised into the playoffs last season. The Chiefs will be looking for their fourth straight win when they visit the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The Bills are coming off a bye week and grabbed back-to-back wins behind Kyle Orton before the break, keeping the team within shouting distance of the New England Patriots atop the AFC East.

The Patriots did Kansas City a favor by defeating AFC West-leading Denver last week, and the Chiefs will try to take advantage by putting their strength up against that of Buffalo.

Seven for Sunday: Dolphins' task tough with Calvin Johnson back from USA Today

4. Kansas City Chiefs run game vs. the Buffalo Bills front seven

The skinny: The Chiefs were a surprise playoff team in coach Andy Reid's first year. Now they be headed for a return trip.

Why it matters: Both teams are 5-3, and the winner of this game would own the playoff tiebreaker if the records also wind up identical at season's end. The Chiefs have won five of six. The Bills are hoping to reach the playoffs for the first time since they lost to the Tennessee Titans in the "Music City Miracle" following the 1999 season.

Who has the edge: Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis.

NFL odds: Cardinals, Chiefs in strong position to extend their winning ways from Sports Illustrated

Kansas City visits the Buffalo Bills in one of the closest games on the betting board this week. The Chiefs are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games as a road favorite and are a 1-point favorite this Sunday. Buffalo is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games as a home underdog, so something has to give in this one; the OddsShark Computer suggests that it will be the Chiefs that get the upper hand. Kansas City is picked to win by a score of 28.2 to 24.2.

Scouting Report: Chiefs at Bills from BuffaloBills.com

Top 3 Individual Matchups

1 - Aaron Williams vs. Travis Kelce - Williams said Kelce is close to being on par with New England's Rob Gronkowski. The pass-catching tight end has been the most dangerous weapon in Kansas City's passing game this season.

Rex Ryan laments how former NY Jets assistant are succeeding with other teams from NY Daily News

Jets fans have seen defiant Rex, blustery Rex and even sad Rex.

But they have never seen envious Rex, until now.

Jets coach Rex Ryan sang the blues on Friday, saying how unlucky it was that while his former assistants are having success elsewhere...

...Ryan's former linebackers coach, Bob Sutton, is now in charge of a defense for the Kansas City Chiefs (5-3) that ranks second in the NFL in points allowed.

Meanwhile, Ryan is presiding over an absurd cornerback competition to decide who will start on Sunday against red-hot Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown.

Cue the violins.

Inside Slant: Offensive holding? Depends on the referee from ESPN

Sorting the total number of holding penalties in the ESPN Stats & Information database by team reveals four tied at the top with 18: the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Four teams are at the bottom: the Cincinnati Bengals (before Thursday night's game in Cleveland), the Kansas City Chiefs,Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints. The Bengals, Chiefs and Raiders have all been called for holding nine times; the Saints have six. The remaining 24 teams fall in a range between 10 and 16.

NFL locals midseason awards: Smith and Weddle are top dogs, KVN scores an incomplete from The Deseret News

OFFENSIVE MVP

Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Smith has quietly led the Chiefs into playoff contention in a tough AFC West division, with 1,692 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions through the first half of the season. Those numbers are more impressive for the former Ute quarterback in the past six games, as he's led the Chiefs to a 5-1 record - including wins over New England, Miami and division rival San Diego - while throwing for 10 touchdowns to one interception.

NFL WEEK 10: Here Are Our Official Predictions For Who Wins This Weekend from Business Insider

I have not been a believer in the Chiefs all year long. And I have been wrong all year long. I do not believe in the Bills, or their QB Kyle Orton. In a narrow point spread, I'm going to take the Chiefs. I just think that Andy Reid and Alex Smith do enough to win this one.

The pick: Chiefs -2

Recruiters once asked if OU's Tyler Evans had any friends; now NFL asking about him from Tulsa World

According to Burger, Hester was asked if Evans had friends in high school. Now, the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly sent Hester a questionnaire about Evans.

Second-half prediction on the Seahawks from ESPN

Nov. 16 at Kansas City - A loss to fall to 6-4. The Chiefs are up and down, but they have an outstanding defense and are No. 1 in the NFL is passing yards allowed, only 199.4 per game.

NFL Week 10 intrigues: Sanchez's first start with Eagles, Romo's back (again) from CBS Sports

Which team rushes passer better, Chiefs or Bills? The Bills are second in the league in sacks with 28, while the Chiefs are tied for third with 27. Kansas City also has the league's sack leader in Justin Houston, who has 12. Both teams have a lot of players who are getting to the quarterback. It might be a tough day for Alex Smith and Kyle Orton.

Robert Quinn to be credited with another sack from ESPN

After nearly two weeks of lobbying the NFL, the St. Louis Rams were informed this week that defensive end Robert Quinn will be credited with a third sack from the team's Oct. 26 game at Kansas City.

For Broncos defense, third down the first priority from ESPN

The Kansas City Chiefs have been the most effective, having converted seven third-and-long plays, while the Patriots converted in four such situations on Sunday. The New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers each converted three third-down plays, while the Colts converted one long third-down situation to go with the fourth-down conversion.

It's especially frustrating considering the Broncos have spent mightily to upgrade their defensive personnel and believe they have close-the-deal playmakers at the necessary positions.