Arrowhead Pride
He also believes he would have blocked the kick if Chenal hadn’t got their first.
Standing at the podium talking to reporters on Friday, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis said what most of us already know: the team has its work cut out for it this weekend against the Buffalo Bills.
Sunday’s game is arguably the most difficult game remaining on the Chiefs' schedule and the biggest hurdle Kansas City will face in their quest for a perfect 17-0 this season.
“They got great guys all over the board, starting with their quarterback,” said Karlaftis, highlighting the play of quarterback Josh Allen, who is having another great season this year.
“He’s one of the one of the best quarterbacks in the league... But when he can move as well as he does — he’s my size, if not a little bigger, you respect that even a little more... [He’s] one of those elite guys can make all the throws is dangerous with his feet.”
Highmark Stadium is a challenging environment to play in. Kansas City hasn’t won a regular-season game in Buffalo since 2020.
“We played a lot of close games with them,” continued Karlaftis, “haven’t won one, at least since I’ve been here in the regular season. Beat them in the playoffs, obviously. But you know we got to bring our A-game this week.”
Statistically, Karlaftis isn’t quite having the season that some expected; he only has four sacks through the first nine games this season.
He doesn’t care.
“You don’t you don’t count them in the middle of the season,” he said. “You count them when the season’s done. [But] that’s what every week’s for — just being able to constantly improve and get better every single week — work our tails off and chips will fall where they do... I’m not talking statistics and stuff like that. I’m talking just from our play because we know we can be a lot better. The standard for us is a lot higher.”
Sacks can also be a misleading indicator of success. Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones, for instance, only has three sacks in 2024, but he is also double-teamed more than anyone defensive tackle in the league.
Speaking about Jones, Karlaftis said that Jones is the same beast he’s always been.
“Maybe his stats aren’t there like they have in other years that I’ve been with him, and I know they’ll come,” he said. “Just to see, like almost every pass, he’s double-teamed. He just commands so much attention. When it’s a one-on-one. It’s like, all right, he’s going to win it for the most part at least... He’s our leader in the defensive line.”
His stellar play aside, Karlaftis said that leadership is actually the area he’s seen Jones improve at the most over the last couple of years.
“His the play goes without saying, but just seeing how great of a leader he is and he has become has been awesome for for our...
