This is a big regular-season matchup, and there are plenty of players to keep an eye on
The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs are set to face off this weekend for the eighth time since the start of the 2020 season. The Bills are 3-4 in those matchups, including an 0-2 record at Highmark Stadium in those games.
None of the history matters on Sunday, though, as each team looks to add another win in what is a great season for both clubs. The Chiefs are the NFL’s last unbeaten team, boasting a 9-0 record in spite of a middling plus-58 point differential. Buffalo, on the other hand, is 8-2 with an AFC-best point differential of 97.
Obviously, quarterback Josh Allen is a player to watch. I’m skipping him this week, though, just as a I will skip Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Both quarterbacks are elite, arguably the two best in the game, so we don’t have to take up time discussing why it’s important for them to play well.
Here are our five Bills to watch in their annual date with the Chiefs.
RB James Cook
In two games against the Chiefs last year, the Bills made Cook a priority, and he delivered. In the 20-17 regular-season victory, Cook carried 10 times for 58 yards and added five catches for 83 yards and a score on five targets. In the 27-24 playoff loss, Cook carried 18 times for 61 yards, adding four catches for 21 yards on five targets. If you’re keeping score at home, that means that Cook touched the football 37 times for 223 total yards, or an average of six yards per touch.
Cook is averaging 5.1 yards per touch this year, totaling 576 rushing yards on 128 carries (4.45 YPC) and 20 catches for 175 yards (8.8YPR). He has nine total touchdowns, as well, with eight rushing and one receiving. Josh Allen might be the key to the ignition, but Cook has been a driving force in Buffalo’s success this year. Look for a healthy dose of Cook mixed with a bruising helping of Ray Davis, as well.
RG O’Cyrus Torrence
Chris Jones is one of the NFL’s best defensive linemen, and even though he knows his wings, we’re not trying to let all that nice talk about Bar Bill cloud our judgment here. He needs to be neutralized, and while Buffalo’s offensive line has played well, the weakest link up front in pass protection has been Torrence.
Given that Spencer Brown is dealing with an ankle injury, that means we’re either going to see “Cybo” next to a gimpy starter at right tackle or a third-stringer making his first career start in Ryan Van Demark. Torrence will have to be disciplined in reading the stunts and blitzes dialed up by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
EDGE Von Miller
Really, we could talk about any of Buffalo’s defensive linemen here, as defensive tackle Ed Oliver needs to create pressure, defensive end Greg Rousseau needs to stay hot, defensive end A.J. Epenesa needs to be consistent, and so on and so forth. I’m highlighting Miller because the veteran has been excellent this year in the games he’s played, and he came close to a few sacks last week against the Indianapolis Colts.
If Miller can create issues across from Rousseau, especially if Buffalo goes to a lighter rush package with Rousseau kicking inside next to Ed Oliver on obvious passing downs, it will allow defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to play coverage rather than pressure-packages. If Miller can hit Mahomes without the benefit of additional rushers to take heat off of him, then look out.
LB Terrel Bernard
Terrel Bernard was sidelined during the last meeting between these two clubs, which meant that the Bills were forced to play the mummified remains of linebacker A.J. Klein in a game against one of the best tight ends in league history. With Bernard available, it should make the middle of Buffalo’s pass defense much better, as he and nickel cornerback Taron Johnson — as well as dime cornerback Cam Lewis — have formed a formidable trio this season.
Look for Bernard to have a big impact in this one, whether as a pass defender on tight end Travis Kelce or as a spy on Patrick Mahomes. I wouldn’t mind a few fire blitzes, either, where Bernard uses his quickness to knife through an opening created by a dropping defensive lineman.
CB Rasul Douglas
If I’m the Chiefs, I’m taking advantage of the fact that Buffalo doesn’t have their corners travel with particular receivers. Then, I’m trying to match up the speed of rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy on Douglas, who is much more comfortable in zone and off-man looks than he is in playing a run-and-chase game. Douglas is going to be an essential part of this game for the Bills, as I’d actually argue that he’s the ideal cover guy for either wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins or Travis Kelce given his length, size, and physicality.
While Worthy might not yet be putting up big numbers, it would be exceptionally “Billsy” if he had a big game this weekend. If Mahomes sees him one-on-one with Douglas on a crosser, it could spell trouble for the Bills.