What we learned from the Bills’ win over the Chiefs
The Buffalo Bills pulled off an improbable 20-17 victory against the Kansas Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 14.
The win keeps Buffalo (7-6) squarely in the midst of the playoff race. Even though the Bills is still outside the playoff standings, this win, which was nearly a must, puts the team in a good position to make a late-season run to the postseason.
Buffalo took a 14-point lead early in the second quarter. Running back James Cook opened the scoring with a 25-yard catch and run. Quarterback Josh Allen bullied his way into the end zone on a six-yard push.
Kansas City answered before halftime with a Jerrick McKinnon seven-yard rush.
The game was tied at 17 midway through the fourth quarter when the Bills rattled off a 12-play drive. Buffalo’s drive stalled, but they took the lead late in the fourth quarter on a Tyler Bass field goal.
Kansas City (8-5) appeared to take the lead with a spectacular pass and lateral play. It was all for naught, as KC wideout Kadarius Toney lined up offside, negating the score. Buffalo’s defense prevented the Chiefs from getting into field goal range, and the Bills escaped with a much-needed victory.
Here are five things that we learned from the Bills’ win over the Chiefs:
Josh Allen is still HIM
Allen looked every bit like the leader and MVP candidate that we are accustomed to seeing. The offense did not put up massive numbers, but it’s scary to think where the team would be without him.
Allen extended play consistently, giving receivers time to separate from the Chiefs secondary. When Allen faced pressure, he battled through and gave the offense life by keeping plays alive.
The quintessential moment of the night was when Allen scored Buffalo’s second touchdown down. On a rush to the right side of the line, Allen kept his legs churning and with the help of his offensive line and other blockers, he broke the plane of the end zone.
Allen went 23-of-42 for 233 passing yards, one touchdown pass and one interception. He added 32 rushing yards on 10 carries.
James Cook steps up once again
Cook was a massive threat for the Bills offense all afternoon. Cook scored Buffalo’s first touchdown, running a wheel route and blowing through the Kansas City secondary to get open for a 25-yard score.
He led Buffalo with 58 rushing yards on 10 carries.
With the Chiefs locking down Buffalo’s receivers, it was important for another option to take control. Cook became that player, leading Buffalo with 83 receiving yards on five receptions and a touchdown.
The defense finally finishes a game
The Bills defense started the game in style, forcing a turnover of the initial drive of the game. AJ Epenesa made a spectacular play by tipping a Patrick Mahomes pass and catching the interception.
The defense hung tight in the first half, allowing a late touchdown rush to McKinnon.
Buffalo’s defense kept the Chiefs from explosive plays. Kansas City clawed their way back into the game, tying the game 17-17 midway through the fourth quarter.
The Chiefs were down three when they received the ball with just under two minutes remaining in the game. The Bills allowed Kansas City to move the ball efficiently to midfield. It felt like a repeat of several games this season, when the defense could not hold onto the lead late in a game.
Buffalo received some good fortune, as the Chiefs scored a stellar touchdown. Mahomes found Travis Kelce deep down the middle of the field. Kelce, as part of a seemingly impromptu play, lateralled the ball to a wide-open Kadarius Toney, who would go into the end zone untouched. Toney was ruled to have lined up offsides, erasing the points from the board.
Buffalo’s defense took advantage of a rattled Mahomes. On the fourth down play, Leonard Floyd got around the edge and forced Mahomes to throw too early. The pass fell incomplete, giving Buffalo the win.
Yes, the Bills received some good fortune on the play. However, for the first time in a while, Buffalo did not compound the problem. Rather, they finished the drive with the good luck that was bestowed on them.
Resiliency
The Bills made quite a bit of news over the past two weeks off the field. First, pass rusher Von Miller turned himself in after a warrant for his arrest was issued in Texas. Then, unflattering comments made by coach Sean McDermott made their rounds in a critical piece written about the head coach.
Buffalo overcame the distractions off the field to win an important game. There’s still some healing and soul-searching that will occur from these events. For now, the team rallied on the field for a victory.
There are still causes for concern
As great as the victory over Kansas City was for Buffalo, there are still reasons to be concerned for the Bills.
First, two more defense players faced injuries during the game. AJ Epenesa suffered a rib injury, while Micah Hyde left the game with a stinger.
Second, the Bills offense struggled mightily in the second half. The team put up only six points in the second half. Buffalo punted on three consecutive drives in the half, netting -8 yards in the process.
Third, the team did blow another multi-score lead, which almost led to another Bills loss. Buffalo held a 14-point lead early in the second quarter. They would lead by 10 points early in the third quarter. The Bills allowed Kansas City to methodically get back into the game, ultimately tying the game in the fourth quarter. Without the shocking offsides call against Toney, the game would look very different.
