Stephen A. Smith has predicted that the Chiefs will lose for the first time this season when they face the Bills this weekend.
The two-time defending champions are off to a 9-0 start as they kept their undefeated record intact last weekend with a blocked field goal against the Broncos as time expired.
But Smith believes that streak will come to an end Sunday against Josh Allen and the 8-2 Bills.
“I’m not going to predict anyone is going to go 16-0,” Smith said on ESPN’s “First Take.” “And obviously, I think you could say this is the toughest game left on the Kansas City Chiefs’ schedule.
The game will be played on the road in Buffalo, and Smith believes the Bills will be motivated to earn bragging rights over their AFC rivals.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are off to a 9-0 start this NFL season
But Stephen A. Smith predicted that Kansas City will suffer its first loss of the season to the Bills.
“You have to look at what this game could mean in terms of raising the level of confidence that the Buffalo Bills would need to feel to legitimately compete for a Super Bowl title this year. I think that’s very helpful,” Smith said.
Despite the Chiefs’ superior record, the Bills have arguably been the more dominant team this season.
They have the best point differential in the AFC at +97 (compared to the Chiefs’ +58) and are scoring 29 points per game, the third-best mark in the league.
Meanwhile, Kansas City ranks 11th with 24.3 points per game, as its normally explosive offense has reached 30 points just once.
Seven of the Chiefs’ nine wins have also been one-possession games.
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are 8-2 and currently riding a five-game winning streak.
“They still… give you the idea that they can be had,” Smith said of the Chiefs, who he still predicted would finish 16-1 this season.
“There’s no reason for a team to lack confidence going up against the Kansas City Chiefs if you’re a quality football team.”
The Bills have won their last five games and will look to make it six against the Chiefs.