Buffalo Rumblings - All our coverage: Prime-time Bills vs. Chiefs is early measuring stick for both teamsBuffalo Bills news, notes, discussions, opinions and analysis. 24/7/365 since 4/7/2007.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48063/buffalorumblings_fave.png2021-10-17T12:15:00-04:00http://www.buffalorumblings.com/rss/stream/224759502021-10-17T12:15:00-04:002021-10-17T12:15:00-04:00Four Downs: Dawson Knox stepping into the spotlight for the Bills
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<img alt="Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YbziBpdBvwKPBlRl7NyW-yKkboQ=/0x145:2085x1535/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70007374/1345926986.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="eTT5mg">It’s Week 6 of the NFL season, and the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> are back in primetime on <em>Monday Night Football</em>. There is plenty to discuss in this week’s edition of Four Downs, headlined by the emergence of tight end Dawson Knox and the presence of Bills Mafia in Tennessee.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="V79bqQ">
<h3 id="Egif67">Dawson Knox getting noticed</h3>
<p id="8XXS4e">One of the biggest surprises for the Bills this season has been the emergence of tight end Dawson Knox. With five touchdowns and 261 receiving yards through five games, Knox is well on his way to having the best season of his young career. Knox has started to garner national recognition for his accomplishments, recently be recognized in <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/top-10-surprising-performances-so-far-cordarrelle-patterson-dawson-knox-among-ey">this article</a> on <a href="http://NFL.com">NFL.com</a>.</p>
<p id="362NGY">Considering how much time so many of us (myself included) speculated about tight end draft prospects, trading for Zach Ertz, and wondering if Jacob Hollister could be a suitable replacement—it’s great to see the success that Knox has had so far this season. Knox has proven that having a bit of patience can be a good thing, as he is currently on pace to have 61 receptions and 887 receiving yards this season.</p>
<h3 id="XpDby9">Takeover in Tennessee</h3>
<p id="dyk8ht">One of the popular storylines leading into this game is the presence that Bills fans will have in Tennessee on Monday night. many of you may remember the photos from the Bills game against the Titans in 2019, where an estimated 20,000 Bills fans were in attendance. I would expect a similar turnout on Monday night, with Bills Mafia making their presence felt in Tennessee.</p>
<h3 id="UOQ0rY">Podcast of the Week</h3>
<p id="ce4ljT">One of my favorite new shows to listen to is Off Tackle with John Fina, that is part of our Buffalo Rumblings line-up. John and host Joe Miller do a fantastic job each week breaking down the game, bringing the perspective from a former player into the fold. John brings a great perspective to each show, especially when discussing the play of the offensive and defensive lines. if you didn’t catch their show from earlier this week, you can download it <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0lPsg13xf0Uz16ugLU3G5k">here</a>.</p>
<h3 id="iXEpJj">Prediction - Bills 31, Titans 20</h3>
<p id="BkIQZM">The Bills score a late touchdown to pull away on Monday night, with Josh Allen connecting with Stefon Diggs to seal the victory. The defensive line harasses Ryan Tannehill all night, making things a bit uncomfortable for the veteran quarterback. Buffalo might have some early struggles containing Derrick Henry, but they settle in after the first quarter to keep the Titans’ offense in check.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/10/17/22729617/four-downs-dawson-knox-stepping-into-the-spotlight-for-the-billsAnthony Marino2021-10-17T11:42:01-04:002021-10-17T11:42:01-04:00BBR: Gushing over Gregory Rousseau, AFC Defensive Player of the Week
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<img alt="Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CC-swufJ5lFXz7L97FGpNG9obaQ=/0x0:3733x2489/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70007212/1345914661.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="mevoW7">Fans of the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> are still riding high over last week’s victory over the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, thanks to the inspiring play of rookie Gregory Rousseau. In this episode I talk about Rousseau being a new fan favorite, even if his selection was met with some skepticism back in the draft.</p>
<p id="Iv742t">I also touch base on a couple of new related items, including the progress of Matt Milano, practice-squad protections and more in this episode of <em>Breaking Buffalo Rumblings</em>.</p>
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<p id="298R91">Subscribe to the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-podcast-news-notes-analysis-radio-itunes-google-play-stitcher">Buffalo Rumblings podcast channel</a> featuring Billieve, Buffalo Rumblings Q&A, Breaking Buffalo Rumblings, Code of Conduct with J. Spence, The Bruce Exclusive, The Buff Hub, Jamie D. & Big Newt, The Overreaction Podcast, Food For Thought, The Chop Up, Hump Day Hotline, Off Tackle with John Fina, Bills Mafia Time 2 Shine and Circling the Wagons:</p>
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https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/10/17/22729615/bbr-gushing-over-gregory-rousseau-afc-defensive-player-of-the-weekAnthony Marino2021-10-14T14:00:00-04:002021-10-14T14:00:00-04:00All-22 analysis: Some sweet takeaways vs. Kansas City
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<img alt="Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7lK4MwDupF3mFxB4UL0VhUKMD-s=/0x0:6182x4121/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69995188/1345926299.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>That’s right! ALL the 22 this week</p> <p id="YX31ut">I’m not sure if you heard or not, but the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> beat Kansas City in preeeeeetty convincing fashion on <em>Sunday Night Football</em> (that turned into Monday morning football). A major factor in this victory was a plus-four turnover differential favoring Buffalo. That’s just fun, and I felt this week it warranted some All-22 attention. This is in no way an attempt to use my weekly analysis feature as a means to rub it in. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="amQ0ha">
<h3 id="o272Io">Siran Neal’s forced fumble</h3>
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<p id="H9ParJ">With this kind of play there’s always a bit of luck. Things are happening super fast, and targeting the ball for a turnover is sketchy at best. That said, Siran Neal absolutely does a lot of what the Bills have been coaching for years to try to generate turnovers. Neal takes a nice angle and launches (legally) toward the ball. He’s almost certainly going to end the return with a possible turnover as a bonus. </p>
<p id="p7R4yk">As an aside, if you’ve followed my analysis over the years, you know that Buffalo has been average to slightly above in turnovers since head coach Sean McDermott took over the team. Overall, data suggests it’s very difficult to “coach” a team to a high turnover rate. However, I do think coaching helps set a floor. I don’t anticipate Buffalo’s defense ever falling off a cliff, even if some years aren’t sky-high (this year is starting to look like it might be sky-high). </p>
<h3 id="umCT6N">Micah Hyde’s interception</h3>
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<p id="osaEH3">At first glance it’s easy to chalk this up as “right place, right time.” And that’s true to an extent. The thing I want to highlight though is WHY Micah Hyde ended up in the right place. If you’ve been keeping up with analysis following this game you’ve likely heard that the Bills rushed four almost the entire game. <a href="http://Pro-football-reference.com">Pro-football-reference.com</a> lists A.J. Klein as the ONLY player on the Bills called in for a blitz. It was only once too. On 54 passing attempts by KC. </p>
<p id="rORlct">Look what that did for the back end of the play. At the pause, every single receiving option has someone glued to them. And the safeties are in boxes rather than circles because they’re free to read Mahomes and react to the play. Micah Hyde does. The best case for KC is a short gain as Hyde is screaming in for the tackle. Look at his trajectory. He’s coming in so fast toward Tyreek Hill he can’t avoid a collision even after catching the ball. </p>
<h3 id="UR9z8a">Greg Rousseau’s interception</h3>
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<p id="rZgCTH">One of the reasons Greg Rousseau has seen the field so much is because of how much he doesn’t act like a rookie. Groot is not a one-trick Buffalo. While he’s raised eyebrows with pass-rush skills this is classic Frazier/McDermott contain. Groot is reading and reacting to Mahomes. He sees the ball about to come out and slips the block to get in the passing lane. Clearly it worked. Here’s the other angle...</p>
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<p id="dsmsVG">I wanted to show this angle too because the Bills are still playing the back end like we saw above. The stop in the GIF is a serious question. Where was this play going even if it HAD been a completion? </p>
<h3 id="tyjgLg">Patrick Mahomes’s fumble</h3>
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<p id="X3rYZr">And yeah, sometimes there’s luck. I point out Hughes because he has a good shot at ending this play no matter what. His quick victory around the edge is the reason Mahomes can’t field the ball as the lineman accidentally kicks it out of reach. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="upDwP1">
<h3 id="vlGXj0">Summary</h3>
<p id="pAvh66">Coming into the game there was a LOOOOOOOT of chatter about how the Bills’ defense hadn’t “faced anyone” yet. My counter to that was simple. Yes, the Buffalo’s D had bested some backups and faced a fading Roethlisberger. However, they hadn’t just beat the teams they should have. They had drawn legitimate comparisons to teams that were historically good. And the defense proved it this week. They’re legit. </p>
<p id="38D1kX">The Bills are on pace for 51 turnovers. That’s not likely to occur (though I hope it does). However, looking at these turnovers as a snapshot of what Buffalo is up to shows a lot of what’s making them successful this year. The front four is good enough to cause chaos on their own against many teams. The back-end players are able to hold up in coverage. Basically all 11 players can rush at any given time and the Bills aren’t shy about letting the opponent see that first hand. Simply put, the Bills are fielding a full defense of good to great players and the Frazier/McDermott tandem seems to know how to scheme. </p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/10/14/22725565/all-22-analysis-some-sweet-takeaways-vs-kansas-citySkarekrow2021-10-14T12:11:25-04:002021-10-14T12:11:25-04:00“Josh Allen Jumping Over Things” gets new FOCO bobblehead
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<img alt="NFL: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Exp39nj3a38l8r16E7yihaGDca4=/0x270:2795x2133/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69994538/usa_today_16933094.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="E73FyU"><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> quarterback Josh Allen has made a habit out of jumping over people who go for his legs when trying to make a tackle. He’s a big fella, and defenders don’t want to get trucked so they go low. Now FOCO has immortalized the move in their latest bobblehead.</p>
<p id="mo4m00">We will update once we get the final design, but the placeholder image has us intrigued. The bobblehead is $57. <a href="https://foco.vegb.net/vnjMEj"><strong>Pre-order yours here using this link</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>
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<p id="RUinqC"><strong>Features</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="AI6xmr">Portrays Allen in his gameday uniform, leaping over the Bills’ home stadium, showing off those hops</li>
<li id="uzCAH3">Stadium backdrop with tree accents and team logo display to make you feel like you’re right there on gameday with the rest of Bills Mafia</li>
<li id="0g7La3">#JOSHALLENJUMPINGOVERTHINGS text display on front of base, trending worldwide</li>
<li id="2vieiR">Team logo displays on front of base, in case there were any doubts where your allegiances lie</li>
<li id="E745lA">Front name display so everyone knows who the face of your franchise is</li>
<li id="wNLefF">Handcrafted</li>
<li id="0isHOK">Hand painted</li>
</ul>
<p id="4VTbdQ"><strong>Measurements</strong></p>
<ul><li id="XBcZ9S">Height: Approximately 8 in.</li></ul>
<aside id="9rEF16"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"BUY YOURS NOW! ","url":"https://foco.vegb.net/vnjMEj"}]}'></div></aside><p id="0nrebr">On Sunday night against the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, Allen hurdled cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to gain the necessary yardage for a first down. Snead’s tackle would have stopped him well short of converting, but instead the Bills’ drive continued and they would eventually score. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">the hurdle is definitely impressive <a href="https://t.co/hsj2TOBbH5">pic.twitter.com/hsj2TOBbH5</a></p>— Vikings Blogger (@firstandskol) <a href="https://twitter.com/firstandskol/status/1447415899686899712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2021</a>
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<p id="IRNLBX">This isn’t the first time Allen has hurdled an opponent. In his rookie season back in September of 2018, Allen hurdled <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a> linebacker Anthony Barr. It was a longer play, and the Bills were bad at the time, but Allen converted and Buffalo won that game despite being 16-point underdogs. </p>
<div id="3tRRys">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Josh Allen just hurdled Anthony Barr!! This is amazing. <a href="https://t.co/GPZeSMrxSn">pic.twitter.com/GPZeSMrxSn</a></p>— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1043918764834791431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2018</a>
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<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="xreKvq">The original play sparked a series of photoshopped tweets labeled with the hashtag #<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23JoshAllenJumpingOverThings&src=typd">JoshAllenJumpingOverThings</a>. It has been revived in the aftermath of jump number 2.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/10/14/22726047/josh-allen-jumping-over-things-gets-new-foco-bobblehead-buffalo-billsMatt Warren2021-10-14T08:45:00-04:002021-10-14T08:45:00-04:00AFC East Roundup: Ranking the offenses
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<img alt="Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yjQzJxGBgjoZwISJCU0vGgDkC88=/94x0:4758x3109/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69993332/1346365401.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We’re flipping sides of the football this week.</p> <p id="fcYEBW">Last week for the AFC East Roundup, we discussed the defensive rankings for each of the teams in the division, noting that all of the coaches in the division have a defensive background. This week we switch sides of the ball to look at the offensive rankings of each squad. After all, you can only win a football game in the NFL if you’re able to put points up on the board.</p>
<p id="AVvP2h">As was the case when ranking the division’s defenses, leading the way on offense are the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>. Buffalo is averaging 34.4 points per game, which puts them number-one in the league. It’s not just in one aspect either. The team is averaging 270 passing yards per game, but is also averaging 140 yards on the ground. Quarterback Josh Allen is once again showing full control of the offense and the addition of Emmanuel Sanders has the potential to put them over the top. Dawson Knox has also emerged as a legit threat on the field with five touchdowns already on the season.</p>
<p id="rAJj2D">The <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> are next in our discussion, and averaging just over three hundred yards of offense. Mac Jones has begun to find his stride but the team is still only managing 230 yards a game through the air. What the Patriots would like to clear up is the running game. Bill Belichick’s teams are usually great at pounding it in the trenches but so far this season they’re only averaging 80 yards per game on the ground. With all of the free-agent signings made on the offensive side, the unit is certainly performing below the expectations coming into the season.</p>
<p id="87f9M6">Lastly, we’ll group the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> and <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> together at the bottom of the division because it hasn’t been pretty for either team. Both units are averaging just over 260 yards per game, which ranks in the bottom of the league. Only the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> have a worse mark at 240. The Jets are dead last with 13.4 points per game, while Miami is last with 70 rushing yards per game. The Jets’ offense is still trying to find its stride with rookie quarterback Zach Wilson while the Dolphins are trying to overcome an early injury to Tua Tagovailoa. One thing is certain though: If both of these offenses don’t start putting points on the board then the season will end up a painful one.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/10/14/22725406/afc-east-roundup-ranking-the-offensesCorey Giacovelli2021-10-14T08:43:35-04:002021-10-14T08:43:35-04:00The Bruce Exclusive: Endgame
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<img alt="do not use" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VqZo5iuSpEYwsWWhAkO_Pci-sTY=/0x27:4300x2894/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69993330/Bruce_Exclusive-blog.0.0.png" />
<figcaption>do not use | Josh Rawdin</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Stop the boogeyman before he’s the boogeyman</p> <p id="ZaH0FG">On this episode of “The Bruce Exclusive” Bruce talks the importance of the timing of the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>’ win over the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, why this game played out differently than the last two, and makes an argument for Zack Moss as RB1A.</p>
<p id="ArjuuQ">#Bills #goBills #BillsMafia</p>
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<p id="KJX2Oa">Subscribe to the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-podcast-news-notes-analysis-radio-itunes-google-play-stitcher">Buffalo Rumblings podcast channel</a> featuring Billieve, Buffalo Rumblings Q&A, Breaking Buffalo Rumblings, Code of Conduct with J. Spence, The Bruce Exclusive, The Buff Hub, Jamie D. & Big Newt, The Overreaction Podcast, Food For Thought, The Chop Up, Hump Day Hotline, Off Tackle with John Fina, Bills Mafia Time 2 Shine and Circling the Wagons:</p>
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https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/10/14/22725378/the-bruce-exclusive-endgame-buffalo-bills-beat-kansas-city-chiefs-2021Bruce Nolan2021-10-13T12:30:21-04:002021-10-13T12:30:21-04:00Revisiting five Chiefs to watch against the Bills
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<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Bills’ defense showed up big-time on Sunday night</p> <p id="9q7hv3">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> defeated the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a> on Sunday night, winning a 38-20 contest that showed just how far the Bills have come since last season. Whereas they were unable to keep up with Kansas City’s high-powered offense in 2020, the Bills were able to do plenty on defense to make sure that they came out victorious.</p>
<p id="WlPbht">Nobody goes into Arrowhead Stadium and completely shuts down the Chiefs, but the Bills were able to go in and have their way with the presumptive favorites in the AFC. Here’s how they contained our Kansas City players to watch.</p>
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<h2 id="2SD6Gt">QB Patrick Mahomes</h2>
<p id="xNmdfQ">Kansas City’s all-world signal-caller was not sharp on Sunday. While Cris Collinsworth might have wanted to chalk it up to a bad night, there’s a simpler solution: Buffalo’s defense is really, really good. They mixed coverages on Mahomes while setting the edge and containing him in the pocket with just four rushers. Since he was stuck in the pocket, Mahomes couldn’t make the big-time backyard plays he’s made routinely over the last four years. Mahomes completed a healthy number of passes, hitting on 33-of-54 attempts overall, but his longest pass gained just 26 yards. He threw two touchdowns passes—one was a shovel-pass to tight end Travis Kelce, and another went to Byron Pringle after the Chiefs played an asinine game of musical quarterbacks before the snap—but he also threw two interceptions, including one that Micah Hyde returned for a touchdown. It wasn’t a banner day for Mahomes, and the Bills’ defense silenced an awful lot of critics in making him look mortal.</p>
<h2 id="Sdh9AZ">RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire</h2>
<p id="rDuNwP">The young runner shredded Buffalo last year but, this time around, he wasn’t able to find his footing. CEH ran for just 13 yards on seven carries. He added one reception==a screen pass that he took for 11 yards. However, his left leg bent awkwardly underneath him when he was tackled at the end of that play, and he missed the rest of the game thanks to what we now know is an MCL sprain. Edwards-Helaire will miss some time as a result.</p>
<h2 id="mHQ1ac">WR Tyreek Hill</h2>
<p id="pCxS33">The speedy wideout’s biggest play was one that he didn’t make, as it was Hill who dropped the pass that sailed into Micah Hyde’s arms and led to Buffalo’s fourth touchdown of the evening. Hill was a one-man wrecking crew in January, but this time around, Buffalo had a plan and executed it perfectly. Buffalo’s safeties were always waiting over the top when Hill went long, and they mixed zone coverages and bracket man looks enough that the Chiefs were just a bit off balance. They held Hill to seven catches for 63 yards on a game-high 13 targets. His yardage and reception totals were both second on the Chiefs to Mecole Hardman. Hill also ran once for a 15-yard gain.</p>
<h2 id="IW0bib">TE Travis Kelce</h2>
<p id="fdEpWA">The second wrecking-ball in Kansas City’s offense was also held in check on Sunday. What’s even better is that Buffalo was short-handed, as linebacker Matt Milano was out with a hamstring injury, so Kelce found himself working on A.J. Klein more often than the Bills would want. Kelce caught six passes for 57 yards and a touchdown on ten targets. The final target he saw came in the fourth quarter, and he laid out to try to make a catch. Buffalo safety Jordan Poyer dove and hit Kelce in the head, and the big tight end suffered a stinger. It was a scary play for sure, and while I’m certain there was no intent to injure there, I’m also glad that nothing worse happened to Kelce. </p>
<h2 id="IqfzN0">DE Frank Clark</h2>
<p id="HGwTMr">As we expected, defensive lineman Chris Jones did not play due to his wrist injury. As we expected, the Bills were able to contain Frank Clark for most of the night, as well. Clark made just two tackles, and his most impactful play is one that I’m sure Skarekrow will write all about later this week. With the Bills facing a 3d & 17 in the fourth quarter, Clark was called for roughing the passer on the same play that quarterback Josh Allen had just thrown an interception. It was a “letter-of-the-law” call, and referee Carl Cheffers’s crew was flag-happy all night. Pretending that one call was both the only borderline call or the most egregious of the night is about as crazy as insinuating that the officials didn’t blow any calls that harmed Buffalo during the 60 minutes both teams played. Clark, like most of his defensive teammates, was a nonfactor in the game.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/10/13/22721666/revisiting-five-kansas-city-chiefs-to-watch-against-the-buffalo-bills-patrick-mahomes-tyreek-hillSean Murphy2021-10-13T12:30:00-04:002021-10-13T12:30:00-04:00Revisiting five Bills to watch at the Chiefs
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<figcaption>Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Now that was a statement</p> <p id="767Urc">The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> walked into Arrowhead Stadium and laid the wood to the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a> Sunday night, winning 38-20 in a complete performance. The Bills were the better team in all three phases of the game, as they forced four Kansas City turnovers and didn’t have any of their own. They also outgained the offense that has been the league’s gold standard over the last few years.</p>
<p id="dTJW5K">The Bills had plenty of big performers, some of whom (Greg Rousseau, for example) we didn’t mention in this space. The ones we did mention, however, played fantastic games in their own right.</p>
<p id="MrlTqt">Here’s how our five players to watch performed on Sunday night (and Monday morning, too).</p>
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<h2 id="3btqmJ">QB Josh Allen</h2>
<p id="2LPi15">The last time the Bills and the Chiefs met, Allen looked tight. He was forcing plays all over the field, and he was inaccurate to boot. Last night was the direct opposite of those two 2020 contests, as Allen was in command and perfectly comfortable with being the best player on the field for those 60 minutes. He completed just 15 passes on only 26 attempts, both of which are season-low totals. However, he hit on some huge plays downfield, totaling 315 yards and three touchdowns passing. He also managed to lead the Bills in rushing, totaling 59 yards on 11 carries. He scored the game’s first touchdown on a designed run, and he added to his career highlight reel with a gutsy hurdle over L’Jarius Sneed to convert a 3rd & 4 during the game-clinching drive in the fourth quarter. On deep balls, Allen was masterful, completing all four of his attempts over 20 yards for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Allen would have had more completions if not for some uncharacteristic drops from Stefon Diggs, as well as some slightly more characteristic drops from his running backs. Even with all that, Allen was dynamite on Sunday night.</p>
<h2 id="fdmnqZ">WR Emmanuel Sanders</h2>
<p id="ZDDDVo">Buffalo’s newest wideout made two huge catches for touchdowns, and he was the most targeted wideout for the Bills in the game with five. That number tied Stefon Diggs, as Allen spread his 26 attempts to eight different receivers. Sanders’s first touchdown came in the second quarter, as Allen threw a dart that Sanders hauled in for a 35-yard score to give the Bills a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. He added the game’s final touchdown, as well—an eight-yard strike that caused Tyrann Mathieu to throw his hands up in frustration for the third time in the game. Sanders has been a valuable addition to a strong Buffalo pass-catching group.</p>
<h2 id="qnV6rw">OT Spencer Brown</h2>
<p id="xYP2iG">It’s not even a “low-key” thing so far—general manager Brandon Beane absolutely aced the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2021 NFL Draft</a>. Defensive end Greg Rousseau is a monster. Defensive end Boogie Basham has played well in two straight weeks. And Brown, Buffalo’s third-round pick, has entered the starting lineup and solidified the front line, adding some nasty to a group that sometimes lacks physicality. Josh Allen had as much time as he wanted to throw on most plays, and Brown has settled down what was a rough right side of the line. </p>
<h2 id="g1hOaq">LB Tremaine Edmunds</h2>
<p id="oIYzGT">Buffalo’s middle linebacker had himself a night, using his speed and his length to disrupt passing lanes for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He was in coverage at times on tight end Travis Kelce, and he even found himself bracketing wide receiver Tyreek Hill, but Edmunds never looked awkward or out of place. Not only that, but with an improved defensive line, Edmunds found himself able to avoid traffic in front of him, using his speed and vision to make some big plays against the run. One that comes to mind came on a pitch to the left side—Edmunds fired off like he’d been shot from a cannon, knifing through Kansas City’s blockers to stop Clyde Edwards-Helaire for a two-yard loss on the Chiefs’ first possession of the second half. Edmunds totaled nine tackles on the night, which was second on the team. He also had that one tackle for loss.</p>
<h2 id="2lA68c">CB Taron Johnson</h2>
<p id="ClK2Lw">Buffalo’s leading tackler was the nickel corner, the newly-minted $24 million man. Johnson was superb all night, showing aggressive coverage ability and his crazy speed, which makes him Buffalo’s go-to guy on Tyreek Hill when they go man-to-man. It worked much better this time around than it did in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/afc-championship-game">AFC Championship</a> Game, as Johnson was able to stick with Hill more often than not. Johnson added one pass breakup to his game-high 12 tackles. While he entered the game listed as questionable thanks to a groin injury, he only missed one snap—he came off due to a cramp. Johnson played 85 defensive snaps on the night. </p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/10/13/22721619/revisiting-five-buffalo-bills-to-watch-at-the-kansas-city-chiefs-josh-allen-emmanuel-sandersSean Murphy