Chiefs getting boost from returning stars

? This is the time of year when just about every team in the NFL, including the Buffalo Bills, is forced to deal with mounting injuries from the constant grind of practice and games.

Makes life for the Kansas City Chiefs seem charmed right now.

During their four-game win streak, the Chiefs have benefited from some of their biggest stars finally getting back to speed. Derrick Johnson is resembling a Pro Bowl linebacker again after he tore his Achilles tendon last season, while Eric Berry likewise looks like a Pro Bowl safety less than a year removed from a cancer diagnosis that required chemotherapy.

While they were still behind early this season, Johnson and Berry are back to anchoring a defense that has helped Kansas City (5-5) climb back into the AFC playoff picture heading into today’s game against the Bills (5-5) at Arrowhead Stadium.

“You’re seeing guys that are getting healthy and you’re seeing guys that are back now playing with us,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “But it’s not the end of the season, so we’ve got to keep building. We’re not near what we can be. We can be better than we are now.”

The way things are going, that’s a bit hard to believe.

Wins over Pittsburgh and Detroit were a good start, but it was a 29-13 blowout in Denver that raised eyebrows. Then last week, Kansas City beat San Diego, 33-3, in another dominant performance.

A performance that caught the attention of Bills coach Rex Ryan.

“They’ve blown some teams out,” he said. “They got as good a pass rush — you know, a great pass rush, combined with tight coverage. And then offensively they can make plays.”

Sure, the Chiefs lost Jamaal Charles to a season-ending knee injury. But it helps that they have mostly been healthy, at least compared to the Bills these days.

DE Mario Williams is sidelined by a foot injury and DT Kyle Williams by a knee injury, depriving Buffalo of two of its best pass rushers. Throw in knee trouble for defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and the Bills nearly had to use offensive lineman Richie Incognito on defense last week.

Then there’s quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who took a wicked shot to his right shoulder in the second half of Monday night’s loss to New England. Taylor did not throw in practice earlier this week, but he insisted that he’ll be ready to play today.

“Definitely was hurt. Had pain in it,” Taylor said, “but I’m a competitor, so I’m going to go out there and play.”

Both teams stressed the importance of today’s game. The Chiefs and Bills are knotted in the crowded AFC wild-card race.

That means the winner will have an edge in the playoff hunt.

As they prepare to meet, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Running back committee: Charcandrick West has filled in admirably for Charles, but he was hobbled by a hamstring injury this week. If he is unable to go, the Chiefs will use Spencer Ware as their primary running back. “It’s crossed my mind,” Ware said, “but as far as it falling on my shoulders, I’m going to do my job. It’s not one man’s game. I have the team.”

Speaking of running backs: The Bills’ LeSean McCoy has had at least 100 yards from scrimmage in four straight games, and needs 98 more to reach 10,000 for his career. “The only thing on our mind is going there and getting the ‘W’,” McCoy said. “It’s one of them moments where every possession counts. Every pass, every catch, every carry.”

Talented tight ends: The Chiefs’ Travis Kelce has 50 receptions this season, third among AFC tight ends. The Bills’ Charles Clay is not far behind with 41 catches. Both give their team a unique offensive threat, helping to take some of the pressure off their wide receivers.

Giveaways, takeaways: The Chiefs are plus-10 in turnover margin this season while the Bills are plus-5, putting both teams in the top six in the league. “If you can stay in the positive area on turnovers,” Reid said, “normally you’re going to be OK.”

Errorless Alex: Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has gone 253 attempts without an interception, the best mark in the NFL this season and a franchise record. So while Smith may lack pizazz, Ryan said the notion he’s a “game manager” should be taken as a compliment. “He’s smart, he knows where to go with it and if it’s not there, then he does something with it,” the Bills coach added. “I think he’s given his team a chance to win, and that’s what you see.”

CAPSULE

BUFFALO (5-5) at KANSAS CITY (5-5)

Noon today, CBS (WOW! channels 5, 13, 205, 213)

LINE — Chiefs by 51/2

RECORD VS. SPREAD — Bills 4-4-2, Chiefs 5-5

SERIES RECORD — Bills lead 25-20-1

LAST MEETING — Chiefs beat Bills 17-13, Nov. 9, 2014

LAST WEEK — Bills lost to Patriots 20-13; Chiefs beat Chargers 33-3

AP PRO32 RANKING — Bills No. 12, Chiefs No. 10

BILLS OFFENSE — OVERALL (22), RUSH (5), PASS (29)

BILLS DEFENSE — OVERALL (17), RUSH (T10), PASS (29)

CHIEFS OFFENSE — OVERALL (19), RUSH (9), PASS (24)

CHIEFS DEFENSE — OVERALL (7), RUSH (4), PASS (14)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Chiefs have won two straight against Bills. … Kansas City has league-leading 14 TDs rushing. Buffalo is second with 12. … Chiefs are third in NFL with plus-10 turnover margin. Bills are plus-5, tied for sixth. … Chiefs’ Travis Kelce has 50 receptions, third most among AFC TEs. Bills’ Charles Clay is sixth with 41. … Bills lead NFL with 16 TDs of 20 yards or more. … Buffalo allows QBs to complete 57.7 percent of passes, second lowest in NFL to Jets. … Bills RB LeSean McCoy has had at least 100 yards from scrimmage in four straight games. He needs 98 more to reach 10,000 for career. … Bills RB Karlos Williams is averaging 53 yards rushing, fourth best among NFL rookies. His five TDs are second to Rams’ Todd Gurley. … Chiefs held Chargers to 201 yards on offense last week. San Diego never entered red zone. … OLB Tamba Hali needs two sacks to pass Neil Smith (86 1/2) for second in franchise history. … OLB Justin Houston had first career INT return for TD last week. … Kansas City has outscored last four opponents by 91 points, best in NFL.