NFL Game of the Week: Bills vs. Chiefs
We are just a few more days away from one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2021-2022 season. The Buffalo Bills (3-1) are traveling to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the electric Kansas City Chiefs (2-2).
The Bills are on a mission for revenge after what happened last year in the AFC Championship game between these two teams. Their secondary was abused by the talent of the Chiefs wide receiving core, so this week they look to find ways to pressure Patrick Mahomes and force him to get the ball out early.
Coach Andy Reid and his Chiefs are coming off a very big win against the Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) where they easily controlled much of the game. The Chiefs scored 42 points in the win thanks to none other than the “Cheetah”, Tyreek Hill, who caught 11 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
Hill dominated in the air, thanks to the success of Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s ground game against an Eagles defensive line that has struggled this season. Edwards-Helaire ran the ball 14 times for 102 yards and found the endzone on a reception.
Although they looked unstoppable against the Eagles, in Week 5 they look to square up against a Bills defense that has produced two shutouts in the first four games of the season.
Mahomes completed 80% of his passes for 278 yards and five touchdowns. It’s hard to believe that he could put up these video game numbers against a balanced Bills team that can put just as many points on the board.
Quarterback Josh Allen, who struggled early in the game last week, commanded his team to a 40-point win over the Houston Texans (1-3). Allen completed 68% of his passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns.
Bills fans are accustomed to seeing Allen throw for at least 300 yards and four touchdowns, but the Texans had an early interception in the first half that rattled the young quarterback.
Allen leaned on his playmakers and solid run game to get him out of a jam, and it worked. Tight end Dawson Knox caught five passes for 37 yards and two touchdowns.
Allen’s most targeted receiver was Stefon Diggs who has been a magnet for the football to start the season. Diggs caught seven passes for 114 yards in the game but struggled to find the end zone.
The Bills also utilized their dynamic duo of Zack Moss and Devin Singletary in the backfield to keep the defense honest. Though, the heart and soul of this Sean McDermott team is the passing game.
Two of the most high-powered offenses are in for an old-fashioned shootout. As Mahomes and Hill look to repeat what they accomplished last week, Allen will look to match that energy with Diggs. With the season heating up there is no telling what could happen, so sit tight and grab your popcorn.
This game will go down to the very last seconds and may even go into overtime. Both offenses will fight hard to score. The defenses are in for a rough ride, but if the Bills defense can find a way to limit Hill’s receptions, the Bills will emerge with a win.
Nolan Clark is a third-year studying broadcast journalism. To contact him, email nolanclark11@gmail.com.
