Week 14 will see the Buffalo Bills take on the Kansas City Chiefs, and as is customary, there will be a lot on the line in this game that will determine how the 2023 season turns out.But this isn’t your normal offensive powerhouse against a defense that we’ve grown accustomed to. Over their five meetings, both teams have averaged 57 points per game since Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes joined the team. This season, the over/under for most books opened at 47.5, which is evidently nearly 10 points fewer than the total points that the teams typically score.
The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs will play in Week 14, and as usual, there will be a lot riding on this game that will determine how the 2023 season plays out.
However, this isn’t your typical offensive powerhouse playing against a defense we’ve become used to. Since Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes joined the team, both teams have averaged 57 points per game over their five meetings. For the majority of books this season, the over/under opened at 47.5, which is obviously almost 10 points less than the total number of points that the teams usually score.
Although the Chiefs defense is always a challenge, this Sunday’s game will be even more so because it’s Spagnuolo and Allen’s sixth meeting since 2020.
The Chiefs have an advantage over Allen and the Bills offense because of that familiarity. On both sides of the ball, there should be exciting plays during this rollercoaster ride. Only Jeff Ulbrich and the Steve Belichick/Jerod Mayo combination have prepared for and faced Allen as many times as defensive coordinators. The guys who coach the New England Patriots and New York Jets, you know?
Earlier in the week, Allen told reporters, “They’re playing at a very high level [and] it’s a defensive coordinator that knows me pretty well.” They’ve changed things up a little bit this year, but they still seem to be playing at a very high caliber, in my opinion. They are among the league’s top defensive units.”
But let’s not misunderstand. The converse of Spagnuolo’s familiarity with Allen is also true: Allen is well-versed in Spags. He’s particularly skilled at countering the Chiefs DC’s blitz and aggressive playmaking style. That can occasionally leave the team open to the big play, as we witnessed last week against the Green Bay Packers.
Thus, the Bills must ensureWhen given the chance, they perform well.
“That’s how you have to look at it, is, it is an opportunity,” Allen replied. “They’re taking them from where your receivers will be if they’re bringing one or two. That consequently gives you some opportunities, whether they be downfield or in quick catch-and-run scenarios. That’s why I have to be proficient in that area, find my answers, and hit our guys where they can’t escape.”The defensive line, which includes All-Pro Chris Jones and the underappreciated Derrick Nnadi, is the cornerstone of the Chiefs defense. Behind them are a group of defensive ends that are reliable: George Karlaftis, Charles Omenihu, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and Mike Danna.
Jones is without a doubt the most disruptive player and one of the team’s top three defensive linemen overall. At the 3T position, he is a game-changer who can also flex outside if necessary. It’s going to be a long day on offense if the Bills offensive line, especially the interior, can’t find a way to stop the Chiefs defensive line, let alone shut it down.
“I think their d-line’s playing at a very high level, I think their cornerbacks have been playing very well,” Allen stated. “They’re a physically active group that enjoys getting up to jam and press; they also have some long speed there. However, having a d-line that can pressure the quarterback makes life much simpler for the secondary players. They apply pressure from various parts of the field; in certain situations, they will essentially apply a small amount of zero around the logo.
Thus, we must be ready. We must be ready for anything they may bring, such as a strong pressure package, and ensure that I’m correctly IDing everything. If not, I must make sure I find the answers as soon as possible.”
The three players that comprise the Bills’ interior offensive line provide good pass blocking, but their run blocking could use some improvement. Overall, this season, Mitch Morse, Connor McGovern, and rookie O’Cyrus Torrence have performed admirably.
However, those guys will need to be sharp this week. According to PFF, they have only given up a total of 3.0 sacks during 1,543 pass-blocking snaps. Granted, the group has collectively committed 12 penalties, but even so, that 1.9% allowed sack rate is extremely impressive. Even with Allen’s exceptional play, the Bills cannot afford for their own errors to cause them to fall behind schedule. Their chances of winning this game decrease significantly if they take that action.
The Bills are capable of winning this game, but they will need to safeguard Allen, develop a ground game, and avoid the careless errors that have cost them important games this season. And that extends to the sideline coaches, particularly McDermott.
Today marks the start of the Bills regular season’s conclusion, and what transpires at Arrowhead Stadium will undoubtedly make or break December.
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