The Buffalo Bills face a pivotal season as they look to bolster their safety position following the departure of veterans Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. In 2024, the secondary saw Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin take over starting roles, alongside rookies Cole Bishop and Cam Lewis on the depth chart. This transition led to a significant drop in pass defense performance, contrasting sharply from their impressive seventh-place finish in 2023 to 24th in 2024.

Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich expressed confidence in the current roster, highlighting Rapp's solid performance, including three interceptions, and Hamlin's growth in his second year post-recovery. Despite the analytics showing a decline in defensive output, Babich noted that improvement is expected as players adapt to their roles and the defense overall finds its footing.

Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp has been recognized by ESPN's Aaron Schatz as the most underrated safety in the NFL, despite his significant contributions and a Super Bowl victory with the Los Angeles Rams. Rapp's underscored value stems from a season where he helped the Bills' defense achieve an 11th place finish in DVOA, countering perceptions of being a liability on the roster.

The Bills defense, while often viewed as underwhelming, has shown potential, with Rapp playing a pivotal role in their success. His ability to perform effectively in crucial situations often goes unnoticed, making his contributions vital to the team's overall performance.

In a troubling incident during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium, Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford was carted off the field after suffering his second concussion in just two weeks. The injury occurred late in the first quarter as Benford and teammate Damar Hamlin collided while tackling Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy. Following the hit, Benford struggled to regain his footing and required assistance from medical personnel. Despite being cleared from concussion protocol earlier in the week, the Bills deemed him unfit to continue after his alarming fall.

Benford, a crucial starter in the Bills' secondary, faced significant pressure going into the game, especially with the Chiefs' potent passing offense led by Patrick Mahomes. His absence was compounded by the team's decision to keep starting safety Taylor Rapp inactive due to ongoing hip and back issues. This latest injury raises concerns about Benford's health and the Bills' defensive strategy moving forward in the playoffs.

In a highly anticipated AFC Championship game, Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford returned to the field after clearing concussion protocols, ready to face a formidable Kansas City Chiefs offense led by Patrick Mahomes. With safety Taylor Rapp sidelined due to injuries, the Bills faced a significant challenge in defending against the Chiefs' star tight ends, Travis Kelce and Noah Gray. Kelce's impressive performance against the Texans highlighted his critical role in the Chiefs' passing game.

The Bills had a number of players active for the game, including linebacker Matt Milano, who previously missed a matchup with Kansas City. However, injuries still left key positions vulnerable. On the other hand, the Chiefs entered the game in peak condition, having enjoyed a bye week and resting their starters late in the regular season, making them a tough opponent for Buffalo.

The Buffalo Bills are on a quest to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994, led by quarterback Josh Allen, who is a strong contender for the NFL MVP award this season. The team aims to secure its first NFL championship in the Super Bowl era but faces a formidable opponent in the Kansas City Chiefs. Allen has yet to beat Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who holds a 3-0 playoff record against him, including a close 27-24 victory last year. The Bills previously triumphed over the Chiefs in a 30-21 matchup during the regular season, setting the stage for an exciting rematch. However, the Bills will be without safety Taylor Rapp, sidelined with injuries.

This Sunday, the Bills will clash with the Chiefs in a pivotal game at 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Meanwhile, in the NFC Championship Game, the Philadelphia Eagles will face the Washington Commanders, with both teams having previously contested closely fought games earlier in the season. Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert is expected to play despite recent injury concerns. SportsLine expert Eric Cohen is analyzing both championship matchups to provide score predictions, emphasizing the importance of strategic betting in the conference finals.