The Buffalo Bills just took out their frustrations on the Carolina Panthers, winning 40-9 in a game where running back James Cook looked wholly unstoppable. Buffalo’s win put to bed a two-game losing streak
that stretched out past their Week 7 bye. No doubt, the Bills were eager to move on from that setback, and hungry to knock down an opponent with a winning record.
Buffalo’s efforts against the Panthers could serve as a catalyst to bigger things in the coming weeks, but it’s clear the team looks and operates quite a bit differently in 2025 as compared to prior seasons. Will that prove beneficial against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9, but without giving head coach Andy Reid too much to stash away for playoff game planning?
With a rivalry as heated and overall even as any in modern sports, opening odds follow suit. FanDuel Sportsbook has the Bills as 1.5-point (+1.5) road underdogs to the Chiefs in Week 9, with an over/under points total set at 51.5. With home teams getting three points in their favor, that speaks to how bettors see this matchup playing out.
The Bills are now 5-2, while the Chiefs are 4-3 with their Week 8 game still to be played. Odds are subject to change, and could do so following Kansas City’s Monday Night Football game against the Washington Commanders.
Buffalo leads the all-time series 30-26-1, but they’ve lost to Kansas City when it matters most, dropping four straight playoff games (both home and away) since the 2020 season. Quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills have had Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ number in the regular season, winning the last four matchups dating back to the 2021 NFL season.
Football fans will recall the last meeting between these teams, with Kansas City defeating Buffalo 32-29 during the AFC Championship Game of the 2024 NFL season. In that game, the Chiefs shut down the Bills’ “Shnow Plow” play time and again to thwart a key conversion method Buffalo found success with all season long. Allen and the Bills’ offense were unable to get the ball down the field far enough in crunch time to attempt even a game-tying field goal, let alone a go-ahead score, with tight end Dalton Kincaid and Allen failing to connect on a low-percentage pass.
Curiously, James Cook was nowhere to be found on Buffalo’s last drive after proving to be a potent handful as a runner and receiver through much of the game. This season, it’s fair to claim that the offense runs through Cook, which the Bills no doubt hope gives KC fits on Sunday.
Think you’ve got what it takes to make a play on the Buffalo Bills this season? Head to FanDuel Sportsbook to get started now!
