Here is who national experts predict will win KC Chiefs at Buffalo Bills playoff game

Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins is hoping the beer flows like wine before Buffalo’s AFC Divisional playoff game Sunday against the Chiefs.

Buffalo is playing host to the Chiefs for the first time since 2020, and the Bills have played at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium the last five times the teams have met.

Dawkins talked with the Buffalo media this week and said he knows if the fans are inebriated, then they’re gonna be loud.

“I’m very confident in The Mafia,” Dawkins said of the fans. “I feel like The Mafia is in great relation with myself, which is also like to the team, so I know that they’re gonna bring it and I’m hoping that they bring it to the highest that they’ve ever brought it ‘cause I’m excited to see them. Driving in to the game is when I can always tell how they’re going to be. If they’re already drunk, then it’s gonna be one of those games.

“So I’m hoping around 4 o’clock everybody is just about at their teeter when I’m driving in, or 3:35 and they’re at their teeter. So I’m hoping The Mafia brings all of everything like it’s all or nothing, ‘cause I’m expecting it to be the loudest that I’ve ever heard, and the swaggiest that I’ve ever seen, and the shnowiest that I’ve ever seen.”

Chances are it’s going to be loud. Can the Chiefs prevail on the road? Here are who 94 national experts are predicting will win the game, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and airs on KCTV (Ch. 5) in Kansas City.

A 24-23 Bills victory is the prediction for the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi. This is from his story: “The Bills (12-6) were 6-6 before a 20-17 victory at Kansas City ignited a five-game winning streak to close out the regular season. They’re playing on shorter rest after a snowstorm forced them to play Pittsburgh on Monday. The Chiefs had two extra days’ rest after beating Miami last Saturday night.”

A 24-20 Chiefs win is the prediction from the Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer. This is part of what he wrote: “The Chiefs’ defense made a statement in the first game at home but the offense wasn’t clean enough in a 20-17 loss in Week 14. Patrick Mahomes faces his first true playoff road challenge and will be helped plenty by the power running game and other side of the ball. Mahomes won’t mess around and stay efficient by making the Bills stop both Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce, while the hard-pounding Isiah Pacheco will wear down the pass rush with good volume.”

The Bills will win 27-24, says the Los Angeles Times’ Sam Farmer. He wrote: “The Bills finally get Kansas City on their home field. Both teams will handle the cold — and the forecast calls for warmer weather than last weekend. This game figures to be close, but (Buffalo’s Josh) Allen is the difference maker.”

The eight writers at CBS Sports are split on which team will win. Taking the Chiefs are Jared Dubin, Ryan Wilson, Tyler Sullivan and Dave Richard. Going with the Bills are Pete Prisco, John Breech, Will Brinson and Jamey Eisenberg. Prisco sees a 28-23 final score. He wrote: “The Chiefs offense showed well last week against Miami, so that could be a problem. Josh Allen has to limit his mistakes, which he did in the victory over the Steelers. I think he does here as the Bills beat the Chiefs to advance to the AFC Championship Game.”

The Bills are the pick for eight of nine coaches and executives polled by The Athletic. “(The Bills are) rolling at the right time, playing better football than Kansas City down the stretch, (and that) will continue,” a coach told the Athletic.

The Chiefs are the choice for four of five writers at NFL.com: Ali Bhanpuri (25-22 final score), Brooke Cersosimo (26-23), Dan Parr (24-21) and Gennaro Filice (24-21). Taking Buffalo is Tom Blair (24-22). Here is a snippet of what Filice wrote: “Yes, the Bills have home-field advantage. But the Chiefs have the better defense, the healthier roster and two extra days of rest. Not to mention, Kansas City’s much-maligned offense just enjoyed its most prolific, balanced effort since October. Oh, and I’m thinking that maniacal competitor in the No. 15 jersey is slightly motivated by the underdog label and still a bit aggrieved over the ending to last month’s home loss to Buffalo.”

Half of the eight Bleacher Report writers picked the Chiefs: Ian Hanford, Maurice Moton, Wes O’Donnell and Bryan Toporek. Those taking the Bills are Gary Davenport, Brad Gagnon, Kris Knox and Brent Sobleski. Hanford wrote: “This may be Patrick Mahomes’ first road playoff game, but I’m not ready to bet against him here. Josh Allen and the Bills looked explosive out of the gate last week against the Steelers but found themselves in a battle in the second half when they couldn’t put a Mason Rudolph-led team away. Failure to put Mahomes away, on the other hand, won’t end well.”

The Bills are the choice for three of four writers at the Buffalo News: Jay Skurski (29-23 final score), Katherine Fitzgerald (30-27) and Ryan O’Halloran (27-21). Picking the Chiefs is Mark Gaughan (25-23). Here is an excerpt of what Fitzgerald wrote: “The number of injuries on the Bills’ defense still alarms me. That linebacker Terrel Bernard is unable to go is a huge loss, considering his play and his command of communicating calls to the Bills’ defense. The defense has had guys step in and step up all year, but doing so against Kansas City is a huge task. The offense needs to put up points, but also eat up the clock to help the defense. If quarterback Josh Allen can avoid turnovers and make sure the Bills win the time-of-possession battle, the Bills could reach the AFC Championship Game this year.”

Picking the Chiefs are four of eight USA Today writers: Jarrett Bell (34-31 final score), Chris Bumbaca (27-24), Nate Davis (23-20) and Tyler Dragon (24-23). Predicting a Bills win are Safid Deen (30-26), Victoria Hernandez (32-28), Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (20-21) and Lorenzo Davis (24-17). This is what Deen wrote: “Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes will deliver another instant classic, but the Chiefs won’t advance because of their shoddy offense. Allen and the Bills keep their win streak going and beat the Chiefs at home to reach the AFC title game.”

Five of seven experts at Sports Illustrated are predicting a Chiefs victory: Mitch Goldich, Gilberto Manzano, John Pluym, Matt Verderame and Claire Kuwana. Buffalo is the pick for Conor Orr and Albert Breer.

SiriusXM’s Rich Gannon and Bruce Murray went with the Bills.

Five of the nine writers at the Athletic picked the Chiefs: Austin Mock, Josh Kendall, Larry Holder, Tashan Reed and Mark Kaboly. Taking Buffalo are Zak Keefer, Nick Kosmider, Chad Graff and Ben Standig.

Eight of the 10 members of the Dallas Morning-News think the Bills will win: Tim Cowlishaw, Michael Gehlken, Joey Hayden, Dana Larson, Craig Miller, David Moore, Newy Scruggs and Calvin Watkins. The picks for the Chiefs: Damon Marx and Kevin Sherrington.

Five of eight ESPN experts picked Buffalo: Stephania Bell, Mike Clay, Kimberly Martin, Moses Moody and Seth Wickersham. Taking the Chiefs are Matt Bowen, Dan Graziano and Lindsey Thiry.

Three of four panelists at “Good Morning Football” see the Bills winning: Jason McCourty, Kyle Brandt and Jamie Erdahl. Taking the Chiefs is Peter Schrager.

The Chiefs are the choice for Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio (30-27 final score), while Chris Simms picked Buffalo (28-24).

Picking the Bills are four of seven writers at A to Z Sports: Destin Adams, Mike Payton, John Sheeran and Evan Winter. Going with the Chiefs are Charles Goldman, Brandon Little and Mauricio Rodriguez.