In their last two games at Arrowhead Stadium, the Buffalo Bills are 1-1 in two low-scoring affairs (a 16-10 victory in 2009, and a 13-10 overtime loss in 2010). If the team's plan is to beat a good Kansas City Chiefs team - not merely be competitive with them - they've got to do something to slow down Jamaal Charles.
Charles has shredded Buffalo in those previous two matchups. Combined, he's carried 42 times for 320 yards - yes, that does in fact give him an average of 7.6 yards per carry, football mathematician - and a touchdown. He's also caught 11 passes for 99 more yards. Even more worrying: his workload is about to increase after splitting carries with Thomas Jones in 2010 (19 carries, 77 yards last season against Buffalo).
"Chiefs coach Todd Haley has already indicated that Jones will likely see less carries this season, which should mean more carries for Charles," said Joel Thorman of ArrowheadPride.com. "I'd say Charles ends the season around the 250-carry mark - which would be about a 10 percent rise from 2010 - while Jones may not pass the 200-carry mark."
Buffalo's run defense has looked sturdy in pre-season action, but skepticism remains - and needless to say, containing Charles will be a good first test for this unit.