Buffalo Rumblings
This is a big regular-season matchup, and there are plenty of players to keep an eye on
The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs are set to face off this weekend for the eighth time since the start of the 2020 season. The Bills are 3-4 in those matchups, including an 0-2 record at Highmark Stadium in those games.
None of the history matters on Sunday, though, as each team looks to add another win in what is a great season for both clubs. The Chiefs are the NFL’s last unbeaten team, boasting a 9-0 record in spite of a middling plus-58 point differential. Buffalo, on the other hand, is 8-2 with an AFC-best point differential of 97.
Obviously, quarterback Josh Allen is a player to watch. I’m skipping him this week, though, just as a I will skip Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Both quarterbacks are elite, arguably the two best in the game, so we don’t have to take up time discussing why it’s important for them to play well.
Here are our five Bills to watch in their annual date with the Chiefs.
In two games against the Chiefs last year, the Bills made Cook a priority, and he delivered. In the 20-17 regular-season victory, Cook carried 10 times for 58 yards and added five catches for 83 yards and a score on five targets. In the 27-24 playoff loss, Cook carried 18 times for 61 yards, adding four catches for 21 yards on five targets. If you’re keeping score at home, that means that Cook touched the football 37 times for 223 total yards, or an average of six yards per touch.
Cook is averaging 5.1 yards per touch this year, totaling 576 rushing yards on 128 carries (4.45 YPC) and 20 catches for 175 yards (8.8YPR). He has nine total touchdowns, as well, with eight rushing and one receiving. Josh Allen might be the key to the ignition, but Cook has been a driving force in Buffalo’s success this year. Look for a healthy dose of Cook mixed with a bruising helping of Ray Davis, as well.
Chris Jones is one of the NFL’s best defensive linemen, and even though he knows his wings, we’re not trying to let all that nice talk about Bar Bill cloud our judgment here. He needs to be neutralized, and while Buffalo’s offensive line has played well, the weakest link up front in pass protection has been Torrence.
Given that Spencer Brown is dealing with an ankle injury, that means we’re either going to see “Cybo” next to a gimpy starter at right tackle or a third-stringer making his first career start in Ryan Van Demark. Torrence will have to be disciplined in reading the stunts and blitzes dialed up by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Really, we could talk about any of Buffalo’s defensive linemen here, as defensive tackle Ed Oliver needs to create pressure, defensive end...
