Chiefs-Bills highlights, predictions and more NFL Week 9 games

The Buffalo SERIES will be tested against swings.Also, the Broncos and Texans face off in a defensive battle.

Key matchups, Chiefs-Bills and NFL predictions for NFL Week 9

Game of the year.Again.

On Sunday, the Chiefs visit the Bills in a battle of two teams at undisclosed locations.Neither is in first place in their respective divisions, and with a loss, there is a good chance the loser will be eliminated from the AFC playoffs midway through the season.

However, there is no denying the fact that the Super Bowl contenders were of high quality led by MVP Quarters, Patrick Mahos and Josh Allen.Mahomes second in passing yardage with 2,099, while Allen was targeted for 17 touchdowns and five turnovers.

Elsewhere, the one-loss Colts take their show to Pittsburgh, against a Steelers team looking to stave off a third straight loss.And in Houston, the Texans and Broncos lock down a defensive game with the No. 1 and No. 5 ranked defenses, respectively.

But we start with the NFC North conflict, as J.J.McCarthy says and the Vikings are trying to throw the Lions in Detroit.

Viking (3-4) Singa Pai (5-2)

Distribution: Detroit -8.5

Key comp: Minnesota runs an army of drivers in the wisteria rush

Key Stat: The Vikings are allowing sacks on 31.3% of the ball.

Date, time, TV: 1 p.m.m.ET Sunday, FOX

If the Vikings are going to get back into the NFC playoff picture, it starts here.Which means their hopes rest in the hands of second-year quarterback J.J.McCarthy, making his third NFL start.

McCarthy was out in Week 2 with a sprained ankle and returned to a healthy rest group when he returned over the weekend.Lions ends Adithhan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill and Al-Quadeen Muhammad will play for the second time this season.On the year, Hutchinson and Muhammad have combined for 11 sacks and 23 tackles.

Meanwhile, the Vikings offensive line has been injured and ineffective in recent weeks.Minnesota has allowed 16 sacks in the last four games.On the year, the Vikings are 31st in sacks (11.3%) and sit 20th in passing yards per game (202.7).This week, Minnesota hopes to get star cornerbacks Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill back from knee problems, but center Ryan Kelly is on injured reserve with his second concussion of the year.

If the Vikings are going to pull off a loss, they need the line to hold and McCarthy to deliver.

Halin Verderrame: Detroit 31, Minnesota 16

Colts (7–1) ja Steelersnél (4–4)

Spread: Indianapolis -3

Key matchups: Daniel Jones vs. Pittsburgh's secondary

Stat: The Steelers are allowing an NFL-leading 273.3 per game.

Date, Time, TV: 1:00 PM And Wednesday, CBS

On the paper, slicer has been found and shoot.At the site, Piitsburgh and home and home is enough to do for a good match.

The Colts have a number of rules, including yards per game (6.3), while boasting Jonathan Taylor, who has 850 yards and a touchdown.Pittsburgh is ranked 30th in deadliest offense.

However, the stylers were respectable against the flow, ranking 18 (112.7 yards/play) and 16 yards per lead allowed (4.3).It's a chance.

Jones has been the league's biggest surprise this year, throwing for 2,062 yards and 13 touchdowns. Still, Mike Tomlin has to hope the ball is in Jones' hands on second and third downs and not Taylor's.

Verderames House: Pittsburgh 29, Indianapolis 27

Broncos (6-2) Tehandarda (3-4)

Stars: Houston -1.5

Key matchup: Broncos defense vs. Texans offense

Key stats: Denver's red zone (40%) and third-down defense (29.9%).

Date, time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox

If you have to love a better shot, don't watch this game.If you love a race in 10, he is nirvan.

The Texans and Broncos have two of the league's best defensive units, ranking first and fifth in both points and yards allowed per game, respectively.They also have some of the NFL's best pass rushers in Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Nik Bonitto, Jonathan Cooper and Zach Allen.Between them, those five produced 27 sacks and 65 quarterback hits.

All that defense and pressure will make every third down and move in the red zone paramount, something Houston needs to spend all week figuring out.Denver was excellent in both areas, allowing league-lowest third-down conversions (29.9%) and red-zone conversions (40.0%).Meanwhile, the Texans' offense is 25th (35.2%) and 31st (42.1%) in those areas.

For the Texans, it can come down to field goals and potential wins in defense.

Actual Verdict: Houston 18, Denver 16

Chiefs (5–3) hos Bills (5–2)

Expansion: Kansas City -1.5

Key matchup: Bills secondary vs.PANCECKS MAHOMES and COONS.

Buffalo's leading scorer is ranked 29th by pff.

Day, time, TV: 16:25.ET Sunday, CBS

All week, this match was billed as Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen.It will actually be Mahomes against Buffalo's secondary.

Mahomes was outstanding, ranking second in yardage (2,099), first in total touchdowns (21), fifth in EPA (.287) and first in completion percentage (55.4%).The arsenal includes Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Marques "Hollywood" Brown, Tyquan Thornton and JuJu Smith-Schuster.It is surrounded by piles.

The Kansas City offense will now face the Bills, who are ranked 29th in Pro Football Focus coverage.Most of Buffalo's passes are good, including second in sacks (10.4%) and pass rushes per game (161.9). However, the Bills have faced Andy Dalton, Spencer Rattler, Justin Fields, Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. in 5 of 7 games.

Buffalo also needs safeties Cole Bishop and Jordan Boyer, along with freshman Maxwell Hairston, who will be making his second NFL start.That's a streak high for the Bills, who averaged 30.8 points and 415.8 yards per game since Week 4.

Verderame's verdict: 30 specialties, 24 bills

Seahawks (5-2) at Chiefs (3-5)

Spread: Seattle -3

Key matchup: Seahawks Front Seven Game vs. Commanders

Key stat: Mike McDonald's defense allowed an NFL-leading 3.3 YPC.

Date, Time, TV: 8:20 p.m. Sunday, NBC

For the Commanders, saving their season will likely be how they play against the best defense in football.

Washington expects star quarterback dayden dayden dayden dayden back Sunday night, but will be without Pro Bowl receiver Terry McLurin.With that in mind, offensive coordinator Kliff Kliff Kingsbury must rely on the legs of both mounds and rookie Fullback Jacory Croskey-Merritt to move the ball.

On the season, Washington ranks second in yards per carry (5.2) and third in yards per game (137.8).To that end, croskey

In contrast, Seattle is holding its opponents to 3.3 ypc and 75.7 rushing yards per game.If the Seahawks can keep up the numbers against Washington, who only rushed for 60 yards at 3.0 ypc against the Chiefs last night, it will be a long game for the home team.

Verderame's Verdict: Seahawks 27, Owners 19