Three keys to victory for the Bills vs. the Chiefs
The Buffalo Bills are one win away from their second AFC Championship Game appearance in four seasons. To get there, they have to do something they have yet to do- defeat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the playoffs. Here is what they'll have to do to get past Kansas City and get one step […]
The Buffalo Bills are one win away from their second AFC Championship Game appearance in four seasons. To get there, they have to do something they have yet to do- defeat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the playoffs.
Here is what they'll have to do to get past Kansas City and get one step closer to a Super Bowl.
Establish the run game
The Chiefs' pass defense is amongst the best in the NFL, and their cornerback tandem of L'Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie is the best in the league. Kansas City's defense finished the regular season third in EPA per dropback, trailing only the Browns and Ravens. The Chiefs also haven't allowed a 300 yard passer this season, which is absolutely wild in today's NFL. The Bills will need to get the ground game going with James Cook, as well as set up designed keepers for Josh Allen to pick up easy yards and make the Chiefs stack the box.
Contain Isiah Pacheco
Pacheco didn't play in the first matchup between these two teams, and his presence changes the dynamic of the Chiefs' offense. Kansas City will try to run it on early downs more often than not- they utilize 13 personnel on first down more than any team in the NFL. They will attempt to get Pacheco going, they will run a lot of play action off that to try and hit passes to Kelce or Noah Gray to pick up respectable yardage. Much like the Chiefs can't let Cook and Allen beat them, the Bills can't let Pacheco get into a groove.
Take away the middle of the field
The Chiefs have done their best to get the ball to Rashee Rice on intermediate passes between the numbers, and will always be looking to get the ball to Travis Kelce. It's looking less and less likely that Terrel Bernard will play, which means the Bills will have to rely on Dorian Williams and AJ Klein to patrol the middle of the field. I wouldn't be surprised if they brought Jordan Poyer down into the box to help, as well. Whatever the Bills do, though, they can't allow the Chiefs to eat in the middle of the field.
