In today’s edition of the Buffalo Bills daily links, we examine what Buffalo’s defense needs to do to contain and slow down the high-octane Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.
We also hear from quarterback Josh Allen on how the Bills don’t plan on changing their identity heading into the showdown with the Chiefs, discover how that Week 6 loss to Kansas City sparked a revival in the play of cornerback Taron Johnson, analyze how safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer plan to contain the fastest elite receiver in the NFL in Tyreek Hill and the best tight end in Travis Kelce, hear from Bills players about how the coaching staff is helping a young Bills team prepare for the AFC title game, get the latest injury updates on Patrick Mahomes, Gabriel Davis and Vernon Butler, and much more!
Previewing the Chiefs
Bills D knows challenge of slowing Chiefs: ‘Who are you going to stop?’ - NFL.com
Having already experienced the challenge of stopping the Kansas City Chiefs in a Week 6 defeat, Bills safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer discuss how Buffalo’s defense can overtake the high-powered offense.
Josh Allen: Bills aren’t changing who they are - Democrat & Chronicle
Josh Allen knows full well the challenge he has in the AFC Championship Game going against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
First Chiefs game started turnaround for Taron Johnson - Democrat & Chronicle
Bills CB Taron Johnson began the first Chiefs game on the bench, then was thrust back in and his season made a dramatic turn at that point.
Bills Today | 4 keys for a Bills victory in the AFC Championship game - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Thursday, Jan. 21.
Stefon Diggs is in the zone entering Bills’ biggest game in years | Buffalo Sports | buffalonews.com
“Where Stefon Diggs winds up ranking in the history of wide receivers to ever play football is still a story that’s being written,” writes Miguel Rodriguez.
Vic Carucci: Josh Allen removes any regret for Bills passing on Patrick Mahomes | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“If there was any lingering doubt about the Buffalo Bills’ decision to pass on drafting Patrick Mahomes in 2017, it should be long gone by now,” writes Vic Carucci.
Erik Brady: Beating Chiefs would help satisfy 1966 Bills, who lost to KC in AFL title game | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Today’s Bills can get to Super Bowl LV by beating the Kansas City Chiefs, the same franchise that denied them 54 years ago,” writes Erik Brady.
Keys to the AFC Championship
Bills safeties ponder challenge of putting lid on Chiefs’ big plays | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“It will be another difficult, pick-your-poison proposition for the Buffalo Bills’ defense against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday,” writes Mark Gaughan.
Josh Norman: We want Mahomes, Chiefs at full strength - WGR 550
“Buffalo Bills veteran cornerback Josh Norman joined the Tiki and Tierney Show on CBS Sports Radio and said that he wants to face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs at full strength.”
Keys to win, game-breakers for Buccaneers-Packers, Bills-Chiefs - NFL conference championship game plans - ESPN.com
The keys detail how each team can get an advantage, plus pick game-breakers and point out pivotal matchups to watch.
Our Guide To The NFL’s Conference Championships | FiveThirtyEight
Which teams among the final four will reach the Super Bowl?
‘It’s the most important game because it’s the next one’ | Experienced coaches guide players into the AFC Championship game - BuffaloBills.com
Josh Allen, Micah Hyde, Cole Beasley and Stefon Diggs talk about how the coaching staff is helping a young Bills team as they prepare for the conference title game.
Kurt Warner’s Top 3 QB storylines for championship games - BuffaloBills.com
“NFL Network’s Kurt Warner highlights his Top 3 quarterback storylines for conference championship games.”
Injury Updates
Davis, Butler miss practice for Bills; Mahomes limited - WGR 550
The first injury report of the week is out for both the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs as they get set to play in the AFC Championship Game.
Bills’ injury report: Gabriel Davis, Vernon Butler don’t practice Wednesday | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
Head coach Sean McDermott did not disclose the reason why they will not practice.
Bills’ Cole Beasley no longer on injury report; Gabriel Davis, Vernon Butler miss practice - newyorkupstate.com
Stefon Diggs was limited again on Wednesday for the Bills.
Answering the biggest injury questions for NFL conference championship playoff teams - ESPN.com
The NFL playoffs are down to the final four, and several key players have injury questions entering conference championship weekend.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes practices in limited capacity, remains in concussion protocol - ESPN.com
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol, but he practiced Wednesday, raising hopes that the reigning Super Bowl MVP can play in Sunday’s AFC title game against Buffalo.
Chiefs coach: Patrick Mahomes ‘took all the snaps’ in limited practice | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“He’s done well up to this point and they just progress you through each day,” coach Andy Reid said of the quarterback.
Odds and Ends
Bills film review: Ravens’ defense of Josh Allen offers clues – The Athletic
The Ravens respected Josh Allen as an elite quarterback, completely changing their defensive approach against the Bills. (Subscription required).
Chiefs’ Andy Reid: Bills’ Sean McDermott deserves Coach of the Year award - newyorkupstate.com
Andy Reid gave his former protégé the nod for the NFL’s Coach of the Year award.
Bills fan honors other fans who passed away before seeing team’s winning season | News 4 Buffalo
“After 25 years since the Bills’ last trip to the AFC Championship, the team has unfortunately lost some fans along the way. Army Lt. Col. Patrick (M)iller, originally from Western New York, isn’t letting those fans be forgotten while celebrating the team’s success this season,” writes Christy Kern.
1994 flashback: Buffalo Bills beat the Chiefs to reach 4th straight Super Bowl - newyorkupstate.com
It seemed no one in America wanted to see Buffalo in another Super Bowl. Except their players, coaches and fans.
Family and football - WGR 550
“Sure it’s sports, but it’s so much more, right? Everywhere we turn we’re hearing stories of ‘Bills Mafia’ and the family feel that this fanbase shares so strongly,” writes Jeremy White.
Led by WGRZ, Bills-Ravens game gets NBC’s largest Saturday night audience in 4 years | Television | buffalonews.com
It was NBC’s most-watched Saturday primetime since the 2016 NFC Wild Card game between the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 7, 2017.
Bills’ Josh Allen like you’ve never seen him before (Must-see snow carving) - newyorkupstate.com
Eric Jones turned a mound of snow into a pretty accurate Josh Allen snow statue.
Featured on Buffalo Rumblings
All-22 analysis: Josh Allen and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day - Buffalo Rumblings
We’re talking about the earlier game against Kansas City.
Injury report: Kansas City Chiefs have light day with Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo Bills missing Gabriel Davis - Buffalo Rumblings
The full injury report from both teams is here.
Code Of Conduct: Championship Week for the Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings
The Bills get ready to battle for the AFC Championship.
Jamie D and Big Newt: Bills Will Be Chiefs of the AFC - Buffalo Rumblings
After a huge playoff win against the Baltimore Ravens, the very excited hosts, Jamie D’Amico and Big Chris Newton, tell you everything you need to know about the Buffalo Bills taking on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gabriel Davis and Vernon Butler not practicing for Buffalo Bills on Wednesday - Buffalo Rumblings
Two players sidelined today.
Buffalo Bills injury analysis: Zack Moss’s ankle surgery - Buffalo Rumblings
What procedure did Moss have and will he be ready for training camp?
2021 NFL Scouting Combine cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic - Buffalo Rumblings
Pack up your compression shorts and stop watches.