(Photo: The Ringer)

AFC Game Of The Week

Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs

Bills: That game in Philadelphia was their best performance I have seen from them probably since the game against the Miami Dolphins all the way back in week four until it wasn’t and everything was going for them. They were running the football, controlling the clock, the defense forced a turnover of Jalen Hurts and they appeared to make the Eagles a one-dimensional football team. Minus the interception he threw, that’s also the best I’ve seen Josh Allen look all season long if I’m being honest. He was in control and spreading the ball around to his open targets. All of that sounds good, right? Yes and no. Now, I can get into why it was their best performance until it wasn’t. Everything they did that I listed all took place in the first half of that game against the defending NFC champions. Everything that was working for them, they got away from it and ended up losing another game on the road. The Buffalo Bills now sit at 6-6 after 12 games and on the outside of the playoff picture looking in as we speak. I want to say this because if I don’t, it’ll never get said. Whenever a football team is struggling, what’s the first thing people do? Point fingers at who? The Quarterback. There have been several instances with the Bills this year where Josh has led this offense down the field and put the team in position to win the football game by giving his defense a lead and they have the opportunity to close the game out. That hasn’t been the case this year and you can blame 17 all you want, but the last time I checked, he doesn’t play on the defensive side. If you are going to hold any group accountable, it’s the defense without question. Josh is some of the problem with the interceptions, but the defense gives up leads as soon as they have it. This has happened on three separate occasions this year. The first was in Foxborough against the Patriots, on a Monday night against Denver and just a few weeks ago when they faced the Eagles. All resulted in a loss. They travel to Arrowhead on Sunday for a big game.

Chiefs: I’m going to be perfectly blunt here if I may. I have not been impressed with them this year and they haven’t looked as good as the 8-4 record implies. I’ve placed them in that same bracket as the Philadelphia Eagles because too often this year, they feel they can turn it on wherever and whenever they feel like it which won’t always work because there will be that one team that just stifles you and makes you earn everything and that is exactly what happened on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers. Never did I think I’d say this, but the Kansas City offense let their defense down and usually, it’s been the defense struggling with the offense being the stronger side of the ball, but this year, the defense has stepped up and been one of the best in the league. When you played the Chiefs during the days with Tyreek Hill on the team, you had to pick your poison as a defense on who you wanted to limit. Would it be Cheetah or Travis Kelce? I always said I’d do all I can to keep everything underneath when facing them instead of letting the Quarterback create over the top and allowing him to get his chunk plays. Nowadays, the first guy you zoom in on is Travis Kelce and as a secondary, I’m perfectly fine with Marquez Valdes-Scantling (if he can hold onto the ball), Rashee Rice, Mecole Hardman or Kadarius Toney being that guy that Patrick targets. I will take that at anytime and as I always say, anyone but number 87. Though they’ve had their moments when they’ve been flat, I think they’re bored and can get hot when the right time presents itself because I will never count them out, especially with Mahomes. He’s the best in the business for a reason and knows how to turn it on when it matters. Can you all imagine if the Chiefs still had Tyreek Hill playing for them and their defense was as strong then as it’s been this year? This would be the scariest team in the NFL and it wouldn’t be close as far as I’m concerned. This Sunday, they welcome a familiar face to Arrowhead.

Bills X-Factor: Terrel Bernard– He’s the anchor of their defense and the man in the middle of a Buffalo that shows flashes of being dominant. Terrel plays with phenomenal instincts and is always around the football. He’s a tackling machine and he can get home to the passer for a sack. Terrel is great in coverage and can clog up passing lanes which makes the Quarterback hesitate and before you know it, he or someone on the defensive line are rushing the passer. Terrel is so fundamentally sound as a Linebacker and I can’t wait to see how he grows as a player.

Chiefs X-Factor: Isaiah Pacheco– This has been their most consistent player on the offense. Isaiah at times gives me Kareem Hunt vibes and I say that because of what he brings to their offense. Isaiah is quick, electric and runs with purpose each time he touches the football. He has no issues running through people or taking that big hit because he gets up as if nothing even happened. He will get his touches because Buffalo has been one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to stopping the run.

Final Thoughts: I’ve been privileged to preview each and every game between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Here we are again for the sixth time. These teams have had some memorable matchups the last few seasons including the epic playoff game in the divisional round a few years back that went into overtime and even last year’s regular season showdown came down to the fourth quarter and Buffalo survived. These teams always put together and entertaining showdown and I have a feeling we’ll get the same thing here on Sunday. These are two of the tougher Quarterbacks to gameplan for. One of the biggest challenges is ability and I say that because they have the ability to move left or right, see the entire field and make throws that many people in this league can’t make. The second part that makes them so tough is their mobility and how they can extend plays. For Buffalo, which team shows up? That’s been my biggest issue with them since that loss to the Patriots back in October. This is a big time game for them and each game moving forward is a must win, especially if they want to make the playoffs once again. How do the Chiefs bounce back after that performance the other night against the Packers? This game will come down to who can contain the other Quarterback more consistently. Both Quarterbacks are going to show out here. There’s not a doubt in my mind about that. The difference will be the Kansas City defense which will make a stop late in the fourth quarter. I like the Chiefs to bounce back this Sunday.

Prediction: Chiefs 26, Bills 21