'How do you stop this guy?' – Chiefs defenders, DC Steve Spagnuolo discuss challenges of preparing for Bills QB Josh Allen
It's no secret that quarterback Josh Allen is the engine of the Buffalo Bills' offense. Allen can make every throw and is a threat as a rusher on any given play. The Kansas City Chiefs' defense will be challenged during Sunday's AFC Championship Game by having to defend every part of the field, while also […]
It's no secret that quarterback Josh Allen is the engine of the Buffalo Bills' offense.
Allen can make every throw and is a threat as a rusher on any given play. The Kansas City Chiefs' defense will be challenged during Sunday's AFC Championship Game by having to defend every part of the field, while also monitoring if he decides to pull the ball down and run.
In addition to that, defenders will have the unenviable task of tackling the 6-foot-5, 240 pound Allen. Despite being 0-3 against Kansas City in the postseason, Allen has had some of the best performances of his career in those games. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo admitted on Thursday what a headache it is to prepare to face Allen.
"He's a premier threat in this league," Spagnuolo said. "We all know that. Not just with his arm, but with his legs and how big he is. I'm amazed every time I put the tape on. I was shaking my head this morning talking to the guys, going – how do you stop this guy? And I made one comment to another coach and said – now I know how other defenses feel that we play when they go against Patrick (Mahomes), because they just do things that are uncanny and so talented."
Someone who knows how tough it is to take down Allen, Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, spoke about Allen running the ball more during the postseason.
"He's Uber talented," Bolton said. "You can see that on tape as soon as you put it on. He has a great arm, able to move around the pocket and extend plays. Uses his legs in the run game, especially more as the playoffs progress, they kind of use his legs a little bit more. It presents a lot of different challenges for us. It's going to be all 11 hands on deck. We're gonna need everybody. It's going to be a great challenge for us."
Chiefs safety Justin Reid also chimed in on the challenges of defending Allen, noting his ability to make throws on the run when plays break down.
"The guy's like built in a factory," Reid said. "I mean, he's 6-foot-5, big, can run the ball well, has a cannon for an arm, launches it 60-yards downfield when he needs to. The most special part about him is his ability to create. Because there will be plays where all of his targets are taken away, and he'll just spin something up. He'll use his legs and go make something special, or scramble and buy enough time to find a guy running down the sidelines. So, it is a challenge on the backfield. It's about plastering. Make sure you stay with your guy up front. It's about continuing to pass rush and having the wind to be able to chase after him for 60 minutes. But, he's super talented, has been playing at an MVP level."
Spagnuolo, Bolton, and Reid all made it pretty clear that they are in for a long, physical night against Allen. It will be crucial for the Chiefs' defense to get pressure on Allen and force Buffalo's offense into long yardage situations. K.C.'s eight sacks against the Houston Texans last week was the biggest factor in the Chiefs winning that 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.
