Behind Enemy Lines: 5 questions with Chiefs Wire
The Buffalo Bills will look for a place in Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The AFC Championship does feature an opponent that the Bills are familiar with, having played the Chiefs earlier this season.
But you’d likely say the Bills are a different team now, right? Well things have changed for the Chiefs since they’ve come to town, too.
So with such stakes on the line, let’s learn some more on Buffalo’s opponent now straight from the source. Bills Wire goes behind enemy lines with Chiefs Wire managing editor Charles Goldman right here:
A big focus on Patrick Mahomes this week is that concussion, but what about that toe? If he’s struggling with his mobility, does that worry you?
CG: Yeah, Mahomes actually came out and said the toe wasn’t as bad as it may have looked during the game. He also moved around with no limitations at practice this week in the portions open to the media. If he did happen to reaggravate that injury, it would be slightly concerning, but not all that much. He dealt with an ankle injury in Week 1 of the 2019 season that people forget about because of the kneecap dislocation later in the year. He came back the next week and threw for nearly 450 yards and four touchdowns even though he was hobbled.
When Travis Kelce has an off day, what’s typically the reason? Or is he unstoppable? The Bills defending tight ends in 2020 has been a mixed-bag.
CG: I don’t think there is such a thing as a “Travis Kelce off day” in 2020. The closest thing he had to an off day this season came in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos. He had three receptions for 31 yards that week, but only because the game was a blowout and the Chiefs pulled the starters in the fourth quarter. He’s basically been unstoppable this season, like best-tight-end-in-football unstoppable and that’s not hyperbole. He’s had a receiving touchdown in each of his last five games and seven or more receptions in his last nine games. I imagine that it’s going to be tough for anybody to slow him down this week.
Everyone said last week the Browns had a chance against the Chiefs because of their run game. Would you suggest the Bills try to attack the Chiefs in a similar fashion?
CG: Yeah, I really wouldn’t suggest that approach. The only way to beat the Chiefs is to go blow for blow with them on offense and pray that you can get a stop or turnover. I’m not sure I’d suggest such a heavy passing attack as the Bills employed against the Ravens, namely because it plays into the strength of the Kansas City defense (the secondary). I think your best bet is going to be a blend of the running game and the passing game, while also taking care of the football. If you can get running backs isolated on linebackers in the passing game, that could be a good way to attack the Chiefs’ defense.
From the Kansas City standpoint, how do they view Josh Allen? Back in the day, we had that cross-divisional rivalry between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, most notably. Is that how the Chiefs faithful see this one going? Or is Josh just another guy?
CG: Yeah, I’m not sure Chiefs fans really consider much of a QB rivalry with the Bills and that’s not necessarily on Allen. I think they probably consider Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson the closest thing to a cross-divisional rivalry, given that he and Patrick Mahomes were in the same draft class. Really, they’ve only played Allen once prior to this game and that was back in Week 6. I feel like there needs to be some more familiarity and back-and-forth between the two teams before it can be considered a rivalry. Obviously, if Allen gets the win in the AFC title game, that’d be a good place to start in terms of forming a rivalry.
What’s your prediction for this Round 2 of Bills-Chiefs? Who wins and why?
CG: I picked a much closer game earlier in the week when Mahomes’ status was in doubt, but he changes the entire complexion of this game. The Bills are an up-and-coming team in the AFC conference, there’s no denying that. I just think the experience and talent that this Chiefs team currently has is unrivaled. The Chiefs will win this one 35-17.
