Kansas City Chiefs defense understands what the key matchup will be during AFC Championship Game vs. Buffalo Bills
The Kansas City Chiefs' defense and the Buffalo Bills' offense are two of the best units in the NFL. When they matchup on Sunday during the AFC Championship Game, something will have to give. During their Week 11 matchup in the regular season, Buffalo dropped 30 points on Kansas City's defense, though two turnovers by […]
The Kansas City Chiefs' defense and the Buffalo Bills' offense are two of the best units in the NFL.
When they matchup on Sunday during the AFC Championship Game, something will have to give. During their Week 11 matchup in the regular season, Buffalo dropped 30 points on Kansas City's defense, though two turnovers by the Chiefs' offense didn't help.
K.C.'s defense will look to do things differently this time around. One major area where it failed in the previous matchup was not being able to get a single sack on quarterback Josh Allen. That allowed the Bills' offense to stay in short yardage situation, which is where it thrives.
The Chiefs' defense has to find a way to get a pass rush against Allen on Sunday. One player who can help with that, and who they didn't have in the Week 11 game, is defensive tackle Charles Omenihu. While speaking to the media on Thursday, fellow DT Chris Jones spoke about the importance of having Omenihu back in the lineup.
"Charles has been a vital part for us, especially in the pass rush," Jones said. "I think that's what we brought him here for. He's been able to broadcast that on a later stage, getting his groove. He missed a lot of games this year due to injury, and last year he ended up missing four-six games. So, being able to have Charles at his peak during this time of the year is vital for us. I think we can stride off of that, and play really good football in the postseason."
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo also spoke about what Omenihu brings to the table.
"We get him into pass [rush] situations, but Charles is in there on first and second down as well, and I think he's playing the run really well too,' Spagnuolo said. "And we need that. We know what this team (Bills) can do running the football. We talk a lot about the quarterback, but they've been running it really effective. But he (Omenihu) gives us length, and he's a relentless pass rusher. He's had, there's been at least two I can think of [forced fumbles]. One of these days we'll come up with that ball when he knocks it out. But, he's long and loves to rush the passer, so hopefully we can get in those situations and get him out there."
Last week in the divisional round against the Houston Texans, Omenihu recorded a sack and a forced fumble. The Chiefs will need him and others to be disruptive on Sunday as the Bills' offensive line surrendered the least amount of sacks in the NFL during the regular season with just 14.
Spagnuolo also mentioned Omenihu being a force against the run, which will also be vital to K.C.'s success defensively. Buffalo had the ninth ranked rushing offense this season, and Allen ran for 55 yards and a touchdown in their previous matchup. The Chiefs' front seven versus the Bills' offensive line could be the biggest key matchup of this game.
Final predictions for the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills AFC Championship Game showdown on Sunday
The A to Z Sports Staff has submitted their final predictions for the AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
