NFL Roundup: Buffalo, Kansas City have final shots at the playoffs

Barry Wilner

Friday, Dec. 20, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

No one is more stunned to be facing playoff elimination than the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.

On Sunday, they meet at Orchard Park, N.Y., with the winner headed to the postseason and the loser possibly headed home. Should Jacksonville beat Atlanta, the Buffalo-Kansas City loser is out.

Naturally, both teams believe they'll be primed for what amounts to a playoff game in the regular-season finale.

"We're excited," said Bills defensive end Bruce Smith. "Talking isn't going to get it done. We've said enough all year long. This is what it comes down to. It's time to go out and play."

And play better than either team has recently.

The Bills (9-6) could have clinched a division title with victories in the last three weeks. A win in any of those games would have clinched at least a wild-card berth. Instead, Buffalo lost three straight and virtually handed the AFC East crown to New England.

The Chiefs (9-6) haven't been much better. Kansas City has lost three of its last four, including consecutive games with Oakland and Indianapolis in the last two weeks.

"I tell you what, it's going to be a tough, physical game," said Chiefs center Tim Grunhard. "Their backs are against the wall and our backs are against the wall. It's going to be cold and nasty."

Kansas City has lost seven of eight games at Rich Stadium, but has won 15 of its last 16 season finales.

"I seldom say that a game in the regular season is critical. This one is critical," said Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer.

Thurman Thomas will be in the starting lineup Sunday despite reinjuring his left ankle.

"I don't know how effective I can be, but I'm going to play," Thomas said. "That's just the bottom line. You have injuries at this time of the year, and you just have to suck it up and do the best job you can."

Thomas needs 10 yards to join Barry Sanders as the only backs in NFL history to gain 1,000 yards rushing in eight straight seasons.

Unlike Kansas City and Buffalo, the second-year Jaguars (8-7) are one of the hottest teams in the league. They've won four straight, and by beating Atlanta (3-12), they'll join fellow expansionist Carolina in the playoffs -- provided the Bills and Chiefs don't play to a tie.

"We knew if we played our kind of football we could run the table," said receiver Keenan McCardell. "'We felt nine wins could get us in the playoffs. We put ourselves in this situation, and now it's up to us."

Jacksonville is 6-1 at home.

Falcons coach June Jones could be working his final game on the team's sideline. He's one of a bunch of coaches whose jobs are in peril, including Rich Brooks in St. Louis, Wayne Fontes in Detroit, Mike White in Oakland and both New York coaches, Rich Kotite (Jets) and Dan Reeves (Giants). New Orleans' interim coach, Rick Venturi, also isn't expected to last beyond Saturday's game at St. Louis.

Also Saturday, it's New England at the Giants.

On Sunday, Pittsburgh is at Carolina, Arizona at Philadelphia, Chicago at Tampa Bay, Houston at Baltimore, Indianapolis at Cincinnati, Miami at the Jets, Minnesota at Green Bay, Pittsburgh at Carolina, Dallas at Washington, Seattle at Oakland, and Denver at San Diego.

The Monday night game features Detroit at San Francisco.

Already in the AFC playoffs are the Broncos, Steelers and Patriots. In the NFC, it's Green Bay, Dallas, San Francisco, Carolina, Philadelphia and Minnesota.