Bills vs. Chiefs Key Matchup: Keeping Tamba Hali At Bay

Earlier this week, we talked about Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Tamba Hali being one of two Chiefs players counted among the league's elite at his position. The Buffalo Bills, seeking a Week 1 win at Arrowhead Stadium tomorrow afternoon, will need to keep Hali out of the backfield - well away from Ryan Fitzpatrick - if they want to accomplish that feat.

Hali is particularly valuable as a player that can line up in different positions, so this matchup can't simply be boiled down to Hali against Demetrius Bell, or Hali against Erik Pears. Both tackles will see Hali in this game. The team's blocking tight ends - Scott Chandler and David Martin in particular - will be helping on Hali, as will Fred Jackson chipping out of the backfield. You may see the Bills pull left guard Andy Levitre on passing plays, like they did frequently during the 2010 season, to try to slow Hali down just a hair more.

Chan Gailey will be able to help the efforts against Hali, too, by being judicious dialing up shots down the field and getting the ball out of Fitzpatrick's hands quickly. A quick start by the running game would help, too. When you're trying to deal with a player like Hali, it really is a team effort, and the Bills must keep Hali at bay if they're going to steal a Week 1 win.