Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills improved to 6-2 after a 28-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.
Here are my Arrows Up and Down after the win, starting Up for the second-straight week after two wins in-a-row:
ARROW UP:
QB - Josh Allen
The reigning league Most Valuable Player played like an MVP, setting a franchise record by completing 88.5% of his passes (23-for-26), throwing for 273 yards and a touchdown. Allen was comfortable and in control all afternoon. He also ran for 19 yards and two touchdowns, totaling 292 yards of offense, along with three total scores.
TE - Dalton Kincaid
Kincaid was wide open for a 23-yard touchdown for the first score of the game, then had a big 47-yard run and catch to help his total day of 6 catches (on 6 targets) for 101 yards.
Tight ends and running backs in the passing game
In addition to Kincaid, Dawson Knox and Jackson Hawes contributed with a pair of catches totaling 48 yards, giving Bills tight ends eight grabs for 149 yards.
RB - James Cook
Cook just kept rolling along on the ground, running for 114 yards on 27 carries. He also caught a key third down for 11 yards towards the end of the game.
S - Cole Bishop
This was the best game of Bishop's career. He made several big plays, including two straight pass breakups on a third, then fourth down, to get the ball back for the Bills. He was credited with a game-high four pass breakups, and also led al Bills players with seven tackles, including one for a loss.
CB - Maxwell Hairston
Hairston collected his first-ever interception, and it came on a big third down in the fourth quarter.
DE - Joey Bosa
Bosa was a disruptive force all game, collecting five(!) quarterback hurries. He also had a sack and three tackles, including two for loss.
Pass rush... 15 quarterback hurries!
The Bills, as a defense, were credited with 15 QB hurries! That's a large number. Their pass rush was terrific all afternoon, collecting three sacks, as well.
DE - Greg Rousseau
Rousseau was also involved in the pass rush all afternoon. He finished with four QB hurries, six tackles, and a half of a sack.
FB - Reggie Gilliam
Gilliam was a huge part of the running game, and punished defenders in one-on-one blocks, leading the way for Cook and the running game.
Overall and balanced offense
The numbers were impressive. The Bills gained 404 yards of total offense. They ran for 141 yards and threw for 263 yards. It was a well-balanced and effective attack.
Not allowing Chris Jones to wreck the game
Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones had two total tackles. No sacks, no tackles for loss, and no QB hurries.
Shutting down Patrick Mahomes
This was the worst game Patrick Mahomes ever had in his NFL career when it comes to completion percentage. He completed just 15-of-34 (44.12%) of his passes for 250 yards. He also had run for 280 yards on the season and only had five yards rushing in this game.
Third-down offense and defense
The Bills converted 7-of-12 third downs (58.3%) and held the Chiefs to just 3-for-13 (23.1%).
Red zone offense
Buffalo converted all three red zone trips they had into touchdowns.
Fast start
The Bills did a great job to get going quickly, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive.
ARROW DOWN:
Achilles injury to Michael Hoecht
An absolutely devastating blow for the Bills to lose Hoecht for the season. He had played less than two games and made a big impact, including another half-sack in this one. Hoecht also helps set the defense on passing downs. But the Bills will now be without him.
Matt Prater missed field goal
With just :27 remaining, the Bills could have iced the game, but Matt Prater's 52-yard field goal attempt banged off the upright. That gave the ball back to Kansas City at their own 42 yard line with :22 left.
Long-yardage conversions given up
The Chiefs converted a first down on a 2nd and 16, a 3rd and 10 late in the second quarter, and a 4th and 17 late in the game.
Not being prepared leading to timeouts
Bills head coach Sean McDermott used multiple timeouts either on defense or special teams. One was prior to a Chiefs field goal attempt because someone was lined up offsides and that would have given Kansas City a first down. Another was because the defense wasn't lined up correctly before a critical play.
Fourth down play execution
On their second drive of the game, the Bills went for it on 4th and 2 from the Chiefs' 47-yard line. They got to the line quickly to (presumably) keep Kansas City in their personnel they saw. But that backfired because that led to poor execution on their own part, resulting in an incomplete pass.
Kickoff return
Following the Bills second touchdown, the Chiefs' Tyquan Thornton returned the kickoff to their own 40 yard line setting them up with great field position.
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