Buffalo Rumblings
One of the NFL’s premiere rivalries hits Round 8 this afternoon — and we may see some unlikely players key their team to victory
Later today the Buffalo Bills take on the Kansas City Chiefs in what will be the eighth time that quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes have played head to head. This matchup represents the biggest rivalry in the AFC, and perhaps even the entire NFL during this era.
The Bills and Chiefs have never reached their regular-season matchup in a better position records-wise — Buffalo is 8-2, Kansas City is 9-0. Despite both teams dealing with injuries, they’re ready to, yet again, put on a show in Orchard Park, NY. You can be sure to expect a high-intensity competitive game between the two juggernauts.
A lot has been said about Allen vs. Mahomes and how QB17 has gone 3-1 against KC in the regular season, only for QB15 to squash Buffalo’s Super Bowl hopes three times thanks to a 3-0 postseason head-to-head record. Plenty has also been discussed of the matchup between head coaches Sean McDermott and Andy Reid. To this point in time, McDermott as the former defensive coordinator and pupil hasn’t been able to surpass his mentor in Reid.
What isn’t talked about enough is how much of an impact “supporting casts” have had in deciding those epic games the last few years. No matter if it was due to a kicker hitting (or missing) a late-game field goal, Taron Johnson or Greg Rousseau making game-changing interceptions, Chris Jones winning a rep against Dion Dawkins and impacting a throw of Allen’s, or even Marquez Valdes-Scantling securing an important catch late the game as Stefon Diggs dropped another one on the other side — a lot of players had an opportunity to be the difference in each outcome.
Who might emerge as unlikely heroes — the X-Factors ready to change the story of today’s game? Here are those players — one on offense, one on defense, who I see rising up for both teams.
Terrel Bernard and Taron Johnson are extremely important to Buffalo’s defensive identity. Cornerbacks Christian Benford and Rasul Douglas have played incredibly well, and defensive end Greg Rousseau continues getting better and better. But I have a different X-Factor for this game: Edge rusher Von Miller
Von Miller came to the Bills to wreak havoc in these type of games. When general manager Brandon Beane contacted the future Hall of Famer, I have no doubts in my mind he’d seen enough of Buffalo getting too close to sacking Mahomes in what would’ve been game-changing plays, only to fall short. Beane was sure Miller would become that “closer” he had in mind.
The beginning of their partnership was promising, but then injury derailed the party. After a worrisome first season back and a pay cut, here we are with Miller looking like his old self again. He hasn’t played much, being saved for pass-rushing downs,...
