ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Though not the gambling type, Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone can't avoid being reminded how often his team is the underdog.
Informed the Bills are not favored in their home game against the Kansas City Chiefs in a meeting of two 5-3 teams, Marrone smiled and said: "And (the line) is moving. It's going up, right?"
Indeed it was. After opening the week 1-point favorites, the Chiefs were at 2 by Thursday.
Marrone's not surprised after the Bills weren't favored entering their 43-23 win against the then-1-6 New York Jets two weeks ago.
Encouraging as the Bills' record has been, they have a long history of second-half collapses during a 14-season playoff drought. That's a history they need to overcome before anyone begins taking them seriously.
"It's going to be that way until we prove that we can go out and win on a consistent basis. And we haven't," Marrone said. "So I don't get upset with anyone. Do you need it as motivation? I think these guys go out there every day and understand what we have to prove."
The game Sunday becomes the latest prove-it or lose-it test for a Bills team that comes out of its bye week. The Bills have won two straight, and displayed resilience in winning three games on their final offensive possession.
They'll face the Chiefs, who are on a roll of their own. Kansas City has won three straight and five of six to climb into a jumbled AFC playoff picture featuring 11 teams with winning records.
"I don't get caught up in all that," Chiefs coach Andy Reid, referring to the standings. "I don't think it does any good. It doesn't help you win the game or that. We're both sitting 5-3, and that's what we are."
The similarities don't end there. Both teams have aggressive defenses the league leaders in sacks, and are stingy against the run. Their offenses are run by veteran quarterbacks and rely on balanced approaches.
Here's a number of things to look out for as the non-division rivals meet for a seventh straight season:
BY THE SACKFUL: The Bills are second in the NFL with 28 sacks, and the Chiefs one behind with 27. That was enough for Marrone and Reid to exchange compliments.
"You could argue that this is one of the better defenses, if not the best, in the National Football League at this point this season," Reid said of the Bills.
Marrone made note of Chiefs linebackers Justin Houston, who leads the NFL with 12 sacks, and Tamba Hali, who has four, before turning his attention to defensive tackle Dontari Poe.
"I think the inside guy is having an unbelievable year," Marrone said of Poe, who has three sacks. "He's a guy that's flying under the radar in this league."
RUN STOPPERS: The Chiefs have yet to allow a touchdown rushing this season, and face an injury-depleted Bills backfield missing C.J. Spiller (broken collarbone) and Fred Jackson (groin). Backups Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown were limited to a combined 59 yards on 29 carries against the Jets.
Chiefs starter Jamaal Charles, meanwhile, faces a defense that didn't allow a rushing TD until giving up three against the Jets. Buffalo has held six opponents under 90 yards rushing this season.
AIR BALLS: Chiefs starter Alex Smith has thrown 11 touchdown passes, but none yet to a wide receiver. Not to worry, said receiver Dwayne Bowe, who has 31 catches for 398 yards.
"As long as I'm contributing, then I'm feeling good," Bowe said. "It's going to come my way."
AIRING IT OUT: Kyle Orton has provided a spark to the Bills' passing attack in four games since replacing EJ Manuel as starter. With a 3-1 record, the 10-year journeyman is averaging 282 yards passing per outing, and has nine touchdowns versus three interceptions. In that time, the Bills' passing numbers have jumped from being ranked 31st to 20th.
Rookie receiver Sammy Watkins has been the big beneficiary. In four games with Manuel, Watkins had 17 catches for 197 yards and two TDs. In four with Orton, he has 21 catches for 393 yards and three TDs.
SECOND-HALF COLLAPSES: This marks the fourth time since the Bills' playoff drought began they've had a winning record through eight games. None of those translated into winning seasons, including 2011, when Buffalo turned a 5-3 start into a 6-10 finish. Since 2005, the Bills have a combined 29-43 record in the first half of a season, and 25-47 in the second.
"Yeah, we're in a good position record-wise, but we haven't done anything yet," Bills center Eric Wood said. "You don't get any prizes for starting 5-3."