Kansas City, Mo. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills travel to Kansas City to face the Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bills need a win to keep themselves squarely in the AFC playoff race.
To get it, here are my three keys to the game, plus notes and stats:
1.) Make the plays on defense when needed
Too many times this season, including the team's last game when they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 37-34, in overtime, the Bills' defense had a chance to close out the game or make a big stop towards the end to maintain the lead. They failed to do so.
The Chiefs' offense hasn't been quite itself this year, averaging just 22.9 points per-game, which is tied for 11th in the NFL.
However, they still have quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and head coach Andy Reid. They have plenty of talent and firepower to score, and especially when the chips are down and they need to make plays.
These two teams usually play very close games. It may, once again, come down to just one possession late in the game. The Bills defense has to come through in that situation.
2.) Slow down the Chiefs' pass rush, especially Chris Jones
The Chiefs come into the game with the sixth-highest sack total in the NFL with 39. They are seventh in the league at getting to the quarterback at a 10.21% per-pass attempt rate. Three players - George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, and Michael Danna - have, at least, 6.5 sacks apiece.
Jones has been one of the best defensive tackles in the league for quite a while, and still is. He can be a one-man game-wrecker.
The Bills offense will have their hands full trying to make sure they don't disrupt as a group, but especially Jones on the interior. That will be even more challenging in a very loud environment on the road, where communication is impacted.
3.) Keep the offensive vibes rolling
The Bills have averaged 33 points a game over the last two weeks with new offensive coordinator Joe Brady calling the shots. That's compared to just 20.5 points per-game over the previous six contests under Ken Dorsey.
Brady has done a very nice job to get that group producing, but has also breathed new life and energy into the unit. Now he’s had two weeks to catch his breath and figure out how he wants to use his personnel, and attack a Kansas City defense that is third in the entire NFL giving up just 17.3 points per-game.
It will be a huge challenge, but one the Bills offense has to take on and overcome. They’ll need to keep those same good vibes and great energy rolling into the end zones at Arrowhead.
NOTES AND STATS:
