Buffalo Rumblings
The last unbeaten look to leave Highmark Stadium with another victory
The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills have engaged in a rivalry of late that is reminiscent of the old battles between Tom Brady’s New England Patriots and Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts. What makes the rivalry similar isn’t just that the league’s two best quarterbacks participate in it, but also that it’s been a mostly one-sided affair.
The Chiefs and Bills have met seven times since the start of the 2020 season. Kansas City has won four of the seven games, including all three playoff matchups. Between 2003 and 2006, the Patriots and Colts also met seven times. The Patriots were 4-3 in those matchups and won Super Bowls in 2003 and 2004. The Colts finally overcame their nemesis in 2006, beating them twice en route to a Super Bowl win.
Can the Bills make like those ‘06 Colts and finally slay their big, red dragon? While a win in the regular season would certainly be a step in the right direction, it’s winning in January that’s going to resonate most. We can’t jump ahead to that time, though, so we’ll focus on how the Bills can win on Sunday.
Just a quick note regarding our five players to watch in this one. Obviously, we’re all watching quarterback Patrick Mahomes, so I’m skipping him this week. I skipped Bills quarterback Josh Allen, as well, for the same reason. There are plenty of quality players to watch on the opposing sideline.
Here are the five Chiefs we’re watching this week.
I’m working under the assumption that starter Isiah Pacheco, whose 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve (IR) was opened this week, is going to miss the game. Thus, it will be Hunt carrying the load for the Chiefs. He’s a physical runner who has the potential to give Buffalo problems, especially if they aren’t sound in their run fits or if Kansas City’s stout offensive line can gain traction.
It’s incumbent on the interior defensive linemen — DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver, Austin Johnson, and Jordan Phillips, primarily — to eat blocks and keep the linebackers clean. Quentin Jefferson could see some time all along the defensive front, as well. Those guys need to do the job so that Hunt stays mostly in first gear. If the Chiefs manage to run the ball well, it could be a long day defensively for the Bills.
Yes, there are two obviously better targets in the passing game in wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and tight end Travis Kelce. Let’s be real, though: all the focus in this one is going to go to Worthy, the speedy rookie that Buffalo “gave” to the Chiefs via trade last spring.
Worthy has caught 20 passes for 246 yards and three scores this year, adding nine rushes for 37 yards and two more touchdowns. If he scores, that’s all we’re going to hear about afterward. If the...
