2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Divisional Round

No. 3 Buffalo Bills at No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs

Sunday, January 23, 6:30 PM ET

Trust me, I wanted to pick the Buffalo Bills in this one. Heck, I will probably regret not picking them. But when it came down to it, they’ve just been too inconsistent and erratic throughout the 2021 season. The same can’t be said for the Kansas City Chiefs — at least since they hit their stride.

Everything about the Bills’ statement win in the Wild Card round indicates they’re ready to go the distance. I’d like to believe that. But too many times this season, I’ve called Buffalo the best team in the AFC only to be let down. I can’t get behind them, especially against a Chiefs squad that’s been red-hot since the beginning of November.

Sure, Josh Allen is coming off a career game during which he threw more touchdowns than incompletions. Sure, the Buffalo defense was stifling — against Mac Jones. This week, the Bills will be tasked with slowing down Patrick Mahomes and an explosive Kansas City offense, which will be ten times the task it was to hold the New England Patriots to only 17 points.

The Chiefs have Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce. Even Jerick McKinnon seemed like a dangerous weapon on Sunday. As much as I’m growing tired of seeing Kansas City in the AFC Championship, I don’t think we’re going to avoid it this year.

Allen and the Bills keep it close all game but come up short at the end. Mahomes and Co. make their fourth consecutive attempt to claim the AFC crown.

Prediction: Chiefs win 32-30