The last of the four teams playing this weekend, Kansas City, has worn out its welcome. Many fans think the refs, Roger Goodell and Taylor Swift fans are pulling the strings to get them back to the Super Bowl ("How else are we gonna get people to watch this thing?" fret the suits, supposedly).

Kansas City: While Kansas City lost only once all season, the offense was a disappointment for most of the year. It averaged just 2.4 touchdowns, scoring more than 3 TDs only three times (just once since Week 9). It finished 16th in yards and 15th in points. So big numbers are unlikely; Kansas City has generally been winning with defense. They scored 3 touchdowns in losing the earlier meeting, which seems like the correct projection again here (how well their defense is able to slow down Josh Allen and company will probably decide this game).

Strange way to describe probably the game's best quarterback, but Patrick Mahomes is more of a high-floor player than a high-ceiling one. Eight quarterbacks threw more touchdowns and six passed for more yards. When you see that 11 quarterbacks rushed more yards, his fantasy value takes another hit. But he also won't kill you, averaging 246 passing yards and 19 rushing yards, with 29 total touchdowns in 17 games. But 2 of the quarterbacks playing this week will definitely finish with better rushing numbers and greater odds of carrying in a touchdown or two, and it would be 3 for 3 if Jalen Hurts (knee) is fully healthy. His numbers have been very good in this series. In seven games (4 regular-season, 3 playoffs) the last four years he's passed for over 270 yards five times, with multiple touchdown passes in all but one of them -- 3 TDs in two playoff games and this year's regular-season meeting. But his two lowest yardage totals both came in the last calendar year: 215 in January, and 196 in November. It's a different offense than the two previous playoff shootouts with 325-plus passing yards and 3 TDs in each. Both his offense and the defense he's working with suggest a back-and-forth aerial battle won't be happening. We're putting him down for 240 yards and a couple of touchdown, and probably the 2nd or 3rd best quarterback (fantasy-wise) of the week.

This is an Isiah Pacheco friendly space, but we have little interest in recommending him this week. Most likely he's playing hurt, not from the broken leg that cost him half the season but the rib injury suffered in Week 17. Whatever the case, he's finished with fewer total yards than Kareem Hunt in four straight games. It looked like they were trying to get Pacheco going early on against Houston. He carried 3 times on the first two series and had a little outlet pass (which he dropped) sent his way. Just 2 carries after that, with Hunt carrying 8 times for 44 yards and a score. Hunt was also effective at Buffalo (with Pacheco sidelined), carrying 14 times for 60 yards, while Samaje Perine caught 2 for 8 on 4 targets. But Perine's usage doesn’t look reliable, with no more than 2 passes thrown his way in seven of the last eight games, and just 11 catches in those eight contests. Buffalo has allowed 6 TD receptions by running backs, for those looking for a reason to consider Perine. But Hunt is the best option, though it's a below-average matchup (Buffalo ranked 12th in run defense during the season). Maybe actually a little closer to average, with 10 opponents rushing for more than 120 yards against this defense, but Kansas City has a lesser ground game itself (22nd). Buffalo will probably be more concerned with Mahomes, making something close to average production possible, but even then a committee (which could also include a wide receiver or two getting carries) is likely.

Xavier Worthy is the wide receiver sure to be involved. Setting aside Week 18, he's caught 5-plus passes in six straight games. As discussed here yesterday, the offense hasn't really been able to tap into his 4.21 speed for most of the season -- he's been at 8-9 yards per catch in the last five of those. But he's also handled the ball on runs in all but one of them, with 3 touchdowns. He caught 4 for 61 with a 31-yard reception and a 10-yard score in the earlier meeting. With the other wide receivers, you're hoping to get anything at all. Marquise Brown played two-thirds of the snaps last week without even catching a pass. He caught 4-5 passes for a total of 91 yards in his first two back from injury; in terms of playing time, they seem to like him best after Worthy. But a pretty low floor. DeAndre Hopkins had been that No. 2 for most of the season, at one point catching 4-5 passes in five straight, with 2 TDs. But a total of 6 for 44 in his last three, and also shut out entirely against Houston. He's also averaged just 7.5 yards on his last 15 reception, so don't expect any big plays from the 32-year-old. It's the closest he's ever been to a Super Bowl, which might put a spring in his step, but he's played under half the snaps in four straight. JuJu Smith-Schuster was the other wide receiver on the field a significant amount last week. Also without catching a pass; he has 4 catches in his last five games. Justin Watson might also disturb a blade of grass or two with his footfalls. There's some big play potential (17 yards per catch), but he averaged just over a catch per game during the season. Only the top 2-3 can realistically be considered, and only Worthy has the potential of challenging the top options on the other remaining teams.

In three of the past four seasons, Travis Kelce has averaged over 20 more yards per game in the playoffs than the regular season. Things started out that way again last week, with Kelce catching 7 balls for 117 yards and a score, including the least-explosive 49-yard reception you'll ever see. Don't look for more big plays, but Mahomes will be looking for him in key moments, including in the red zone. Kelce caught only 2 balls in the earlier meeting, but that game was the start of Noah Gray emerging as a red zone threat. The second tight end scored twice in that game, with 5 total in his next five contests. Teams have seemingly caught onto that wrinkle (Gray has 6 receptions and no scores in his last four), however. The history of Kelce seemingly elevating his game in January makes him look like the top option at the position (plus he's only a year older than Zach Ertz).

With its strong defense and ability to settle for field goals (usually playing with a lead), Kansas City has kicked at least 4 more field goals than any team still playing but Washington, which was more productive in this regard earlier in the season. It averaged 8.7 kicking points (prior to the Week 18 no-show), with 9-plus 10 times in 16 games. Buffalo allowed a league-low 20 field goals, including none by this offense (a game Harrison Butker missed), so a lesser situation. Butker had 9 points in last year's playoff meeting.

There's not much to recommend the Kansas City Defense, at least in fantasy terms. It had at least a half-dozen fewer takeaways (20) than two of the three teams still playing, and is tied for the fewest sacks (39). And it has by far the worst matchup, with Buffalo turning it over a league-low 8 times while also taking at least 8 fewer sacks (14) than any other team. Kansas City won't be bringing Mecole Hardman off IR, but got a 63-yard return out of Nikko Remigio last week. No kick return touchdowns for them, however, in any of the past four seasons.

Next: Championship Game Rankings.