Chiefs’ AFC Championship Game matchup: Everything to know about the Bills
The Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) will play their second postseason game against the Buffalo Bills (15-3) on Sunday during the AFC Championship Game. Buffalo is coming off a win over the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round, while the Chiefs are coming off a win over the Cleveland Browns.
With the Bills heading to Arrowhead Stadium soon, it’s a great time to learn more about their team. Here’s everything to know about Buffalo ahead of the AFC title game:
The last time they played in the AFC title game...
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
The last time the Buffalo Bills played in the AFC title game was back in the 1993-94 postseason. They actually played host the Kansas City Chiefs in that game. It was a much-hyped matchup between two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Joe Montana and Jim Killy. Unfortunately, Montana would be knocked out of the game on a sack by Bruce Smith and Phil Hansen. That wouldn't be the reason that Kansas City lost the game, however. The Chiefs had no answer defensively for Bills RB Thurman Thomas. They slowed down Kelly a bit, but Thomas finished the day with 33 carries for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Thomas helped pave the way for his team to reach Super Bowl XXVIII where they'd face the Dallas Cowboys. Thankfully Thomas isn't walking through the door for the Bills in this latest AFC title game matchup.
Familiarity among coaches
AP Photo/Philadelphia Inquirer, Ron Cortes
The AFC playoff coaching lineage all came from Chiefs HC Andy Reid. Bills HC Sean McDermott goes way back with Reid, coming up through the Philadelphia Eagles organization. McDermott's first job title was "Assistant to the Head Coach" with the head coach at the time being Reid. While these two are competitors and want to kick each other's butts, the mutual admiration also runs deep. “He deserves Coach of the Year," Reid said of McDermott on Wednesday. "I mean, he’s taken a franchise there, both he and his general manager have put this thing together with some bold moves and production here now, so I think he’s done tremendous. What great thing for the NFL and for Buffalo, which you’ve been there I’m sure just for a game—they love football in Buffalo and he’s really done a nice job with that whole program.” "It's always an honor to go up against great coaches," McDermott said on Wednesday. "Andy will be a Hall of Fame coach here in the future down the road. I've learned, and I've said this time and time again, I've learned a lot from Andy Reid in my time with him in Philadelphia. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him." No matter what happens on Sunday, the outcome will reflect well on Reid's legacy.
The trade that changed everything
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Without the Buffalo Bills, it's possible that the Kansas City Chiefs would have never been able to draft Patrick Mahomes. Back in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Chiefs moved up to the Bills' spot at pick No. 10 from pick No. 27 to select Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes. Then-Bills GM Doug Whaley agreed to a trade negotiated by then-Chiefs GM John Dorsey that sent a 2017 first-round pick, 2017 third-round pick and 2018 first-round pick to Buffalo. They used those picks to acquire a haul of CB Tre'Davious White, WR Zay Jones, OL Dion Dawkins, LB Tremaine Edmunds and DB Siran Neal. The Chiefs only ended up with Mahomes and they wouldn't have it any other way. Two seasons later he'd lead the team in a record-setting campaign during which he became league MVP. A year after that he'd bring the Lamar Hunt Trophy home for the first time in franchise history. He would cap that season off by securing the team's first Super Bowl title in 50 years, becoming Super Bowl MVP in the process. The trade obviously worked out for both teams as the Bills have a franchise QB in Josh Allen and right there in contention to go to Super Bowl LV. Still, the Chiefs owe Buffalo a debt of gratitude because they played an important part in changing everything for this franchise.
What has changed since Week 6?
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Unlike the divisional-round of the playoffs, the Chiefs have already faced their opponent for the AFC Championship Game. They pulled off a 26-17 victory over the Bills in Orchard Park back in Week 6 of the regular season. The most notable difference between the team the Chiefs will face on Sunday and the Week 6 team is that Buffalo will have their defensive signal-caller healthy for this game. LB Matt Milano missed Week 6 with injury, but he'll be healthy this time around and the Chiefs have taken notice. "Well, he’s a heck of a football player," Chiefs HC Andy Reid said on Wednesday. "He plays with great energy, he’s a good cover guy, good against the run. He is their quarterback of that group and he was missing our last game, so we look forward to the challenge of playing against him." Milano finished the regular season with 45 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, three passes defended and an interception.
An old friend anchors the OL
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The Chiefs are very familiar with a starter on the Bills' offensive line. Former Chiefs second-round draft pick Mitch Morse is the starting center in Buffalo. He anchors the offensive line and has helped with Josh Allen's growth as a player too. He'll provide a tough matchup for the interior defensive line in Kansas City. "Yeah, Mitch is an awesome dude," Chiefs LT Eric Fisher told reporters on Wednesday. "Obviously, a tremendous athlete, he’s doing a great job over there. I’m glad he’s having a successful career and he’s just one of the guys. We got a good group in the O-Line room, always had a good group for many years so I’d say we’re fortunate in that area. We’re looking forward to seeing him again out there. Obviously, we’re not hoping for too much success for him, but yeah he’s a good guy." Morse is the enemy this week, much like Kareem Hunt last week. However, there remains a great connection between Morse and his former teammates.
Suspect run defense
AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes
If there's one area that Kansas City might be able to exploit against the Bills, it's the ground game. Buffalo finished the NFL's regular season ranked 17th against the run. Opponents rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 21 scores for an average of over six yards per carry. They also allowed 125 rushing first downs on the season. Last week the Bills held a run-first Baltimore Ravens team to 150 yards rushing in the divisional round of the playoffs. Back in Week 6, they allowed the Chiefs to rush for nearly 250 yards on the day. Clyde Edwards-Helaire had a career day on the ground and it was the most rushing yards from an Andy Reid team since 2016.
Best QB against the Blitz
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One area where Bills' QB Josh Allen has been excellent this season is handling extra pressure. He recorded 19 passing touchdowns and 1,850 passing yards against the blitz this season. Those numbers are good for the most by any QB in the NFL. The Chiefs blitz at a rate of 35.2%, which good for the seventh-most in the league. They also have a penchant for running zero blitzes, leaving their secondary players on an island in man coverage. If Kansas City can't get pressure with four against Buffalo and are forced to blitz at their usual rate, Allen could be in for a big day.
