"The AFC playoff landscape is unlike recent history this season, mainly because the Chiefs are not only not the Super Bowl favorite, but didn't even make the postseason. It's the first time in many years they weren't the unequivocal No. 1 seed, leaving many to believe the conference is open for the taking, creating a big opportunity for the Patriots."
"Luckily for them, they're a young team, and the pressure isn't on them to deliver right away, especially since making the playoffs wasn't expected this year. The same cannot be said about Josh Allen and the Bills, whose championship window continues to narrow. Because the Chiefs have been their biggest playoff competition over the past five years, their chances of going all the way this year without them on the schedule are a massive plus for Buffalo."
The Chiefs did not make the postseason, removing their recent dominance and opening the AFC title race. The Patriots are a young team facing less immediate pressure because playoff qualification was not expected. The Bills face intensifying urgency around Josh Allen as their championship window narrows and expectations rise without the Chiefs as a primary obstacle. Allen must lead Buffalo to a Super Bowl or prompt significant questions about the team's direction. Coaching and ownership decisions could hinge on postseason performance.
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