Sean McDermott, Bills ‘anticipating’ Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes will play
The Bills haven’t exactly gotten a clear picture on what to expect from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the upcoming AFC Championship on Sunday. That’s nothing really to do with the team, it’s the NFL’s concussion protocol.
As of now, Mahomes has practiced this week but he hasn’t yet been cleared to play. When a player progresses through the concussion protocol, things are usually just mum on all fronts.
Regardless of that, the Bills are prepping for Mahomes to play still, according to Bills head coach Sean McDermott.
“At the beginning of the week, we weren’t quite sure,” McDermott said via video conference on Friday. “It’s trending in that direction so that’s what we’re anticipating.”
So far this week, Mahomes has practiced each day in a limited capacity. Per Chiefs Wire, earlier this week Kansas City head coach Andy Reid said that Mahomes took the “majority” of snaps during practice.
This is a positive sign for the Chiefs (14-2) … so the Bills (13-3) prepping for Mahomes to play this week is probably a good thing, too.
Last week, the Bills (13-3) had a strong defensive performance in shutting down Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. While he only played three quarters, Baltimore only mustered three points in that time. Bills defenders were praised for their efforts, but defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier‘s efforts were highlighted after the game as well, rightfully so.
Frazier, not McDermott, calls Buffalo’s plays on defense. Like he played a role in shutting down Jackson, the Bills will depend on Frazier this week as well.
In analyzing Mahomes earlier this week, Frazier said the QB can do it all. The plan to minimize his efforts with his legs was something Frazier specifically mentioned.
“He’s a special quarterback, he can do everything. Pocket passer, mobile quarterback that can get out of the pocket and make plays,” Frazier said via video conference. “Keep him in the pocket, don’t let him scramble around and make plays. Try to confuse him, try to make it hard for him. If he gives you opportunity to make plays on the ball? Make those plays. We’ve got to do a good job in the run game and try to make them one-dimensional. People talk about how good he is throwing the ball, but you really don’t want them to be a balanced offense.”
“The defensive line and secondary has to step up and make some plays and that’s what we’re counting on,” he added.
Similar to Jackson as well, the last time the Bills played Mahomes prior to this postseason, Buffalo lost, but in those games, the QB didn’t have their best stuff. In Week 6 of this year, the Chiefs topped the Bills, 26-17.
Mahomes was 21-of 26 passing, however, he only had 225 yards with two touchdowns. Not a bad game for most, but Mahomes routinely doubles-down on all those numbers.
Can the Bills go back-to-back in shutting down a star QB again?
