The biggest story for today's Bills vs. Chiefs AFC Championship Game has been the status of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered from an injured toe and concussion-like symptoms in last weekend's Divisional Round playoff game against the Browns.
Mahomes cleared the NFL's concussion protocol earlier this week, paving the way to start today against Buffalo.
However, it appears that Mahomes' toe injury may be the bigger on-field issue in the AFC title game.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Mahomes has been diagnosed with turf toe in his left foot, which limited his preparation for the Bills in practice this week.
As of 8:50 a.m. ET on Sunday, the injury has yet to have a significant effect on Bills vs. Chiefs odds as Kansas City remains a 3-point favorite over Buffalo while the AFC Championship Game total sits at 54.5.
Be sure to visit our NFL Live Odds Page throughout the day on Sunday for the latest Bills vs. Chiefs line movement.
Bills vs. Chiefs Odds Movement
Update (2:30 p.m. ET, Friday): With the announcement that Mahomes cleared protocol, the Chiefs moved to 3.5-point favorites at DraftKings with the total bumping up to 54.5. BetMGM and FanDuel remained at -3 with increased vig; FanDuel was at -122, and BetMGM was -115. PointsBet took the game off the board.
Update (3:45 p.m. ET, Thursday): The Chiefs are still -3 on Sunday, but now it'll cost -115 to back them. The total is 54. BetMGM joined the rest of the market at -3 after staying at -2.5 on Wednesday.
Update (2:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday): There was no line change following practice on Wednesday. The Chiefs remained -3 at DraftKings. Only BetMGM is hanging -2.5 as the spread.
Update (11 a.m. ET, Wednesday): The Chiefs settled at -3 with a total of 53.5 at DraftKings, up 3.5 points from Tuesday morning. Taking the Bills at +3 will cost -117 in juice.
It started on Sunday when Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas released lookahead lines making the Chiefs a 4-point favorite over the Bills. That was before Mahomes went down with an apparent concussion.
DraftKingsopened the first line post-injury with the Bills a 1.5-point favorite and the total at 50.5.
By Monday, the line had reached Chiefs -3 with a total of 54.5. On Tuesday morning, the line was back to Chiefs -2.5 with a total of 50.
As always, follow our real-time odds here.
Patrick Mahomes Injury Updates
Update (2:30 p.m. ET, Friday): Patrick Mahomes told reporters he officially cleared concussion protocol after being evaluated by three different doctors. He is set to start against the Bills on Sunday.
Update (3:45 p.m. ET, Thursday): The Chiefs listed Mahomes as a limited participant, but Andy Reid told reporters the quarterback took the majority of the starter reps.
Video from Patrick Mahomes at #Chiefs practice today. Clyde Edwards-Helaire also at practice today. pic.twitter.com/M2ijYZwUfX
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) January 21, 2021
ESPN reporter Adam Teicher opined that the Chiefs wouldn't dedicate all this practice time to a quarterback who wasn't going to play. Mahomes has yet to officially clear concussion protocol with the NFL, however.
Sammy Watkins and Clyde Edwards-Helaire returned to practice. Willie Gay and Le'Veon Bell did not.
Update (2:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday): Andy Reid told reporters that Mahomes "looked good" in his limited participation.
“He is in the protocol, so there’s only certain things he can do, and it’s a limited basis, but today is a limited practice so this fit right into what he can do," Reid said. "But he took all the snaps and feels good. We just have to follow this protocol as closely as we possibly can."
Looking at the quote "he took all the snaps" is about as good of an indication as Chiefs fans will get of Kansas City's intentions this weekend, although the decision comes down to whether or not he passes protocol.
Wide receiver Sammy Watkins and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire were also seen at practice on Wednesday. Reid said Thursday will be an important day of practice in determining each player's status moving forward.
Update (11 a.m. ET, Wednesday): According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Mahomes is expected to participate in a "very light practice" on Wednesday. That's part of his concussion protocol. Rapoport notes Mahomes is experiencing no symptoms.
The Athletic's Nate Taylor adds it could just be simple individual work following his concussion protocol process.
Update (3:15 p.m. ET, Tuesday): Adam Schefter reported Mahomes cleared "some big steps" on Monday but that it was too early to make a decision for Sunday's game. Schefter reports Mahomes is expected to practice on Wednesday.
Andy Reid chose his words carefully, trying to avoid the word "concussion" in his post-game press conference.
"He's doing great right now, which is a real positive as we looked at this," Reid told reporters. "He passed all the deals he needed to pass. So we'll see where it goes from here."
FOX Sports' Jay Glazer expressed optimism, also avoiding "concussion" following the game.
“The thought is he will be OK to play," he said. "It was almost like he got choked out. Not so much a concussion but still has to go through protocol. He was trying to get himself back in the game. There’s a lot of confidence he’ll be ready to go next week.”
There was no avoiding it, however. Mahomes was officially placed into concussion protocol on Tuesday.
“We’ll just follow that and see how he does here the next couple days," Reid said.
