Bills vs. Chiefs, Week 11 film analysis: Buffalo’s offensive drive extenders

A look at the film to see how Buffalo’s offense took control of Kansas City’s defense in Week 11

The Buffalo Bills took down the NFL’s last unbeaten team in Week 11, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 30-21. Buffalo’s offense put up 30 points against a top-notch Chiefs defense largely because they could extend drives on third and fourth down. Let’s dive in to take a closer look at how they found success.

To see the reverse side of this article, Buffalo’s defensive “drive enders,” check out Skarekrow’s companion article!

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Buffalo Bills’ offense by the numbers

The Bills’ offense shined as “drive extenders” against the Chiefs, converting 9-of-15 third downs (60%) — a significant jump from their 49% season average before Week 11. This success came against a Kansas City defense that had allowed just a 37% third-down conversion rate prior to the matchup. Despite facing 10 3rd & Long (7+ yards) situations, Buffalo managed critical conversions, including two aided by defensive penalties.

Quarterback Josh Allen was instrumental to the success, throwing on nine third-down attempts with a 60% completion rate for 77 yards and generating an impressive +0.61 EPA per pass. The Bills were also 1-of-2 on fourth down, one of those being an interception and another being the game-sealing touchdown run.

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Buffalo Bills film analysis

Play 1

On this 3rd & 6 play the Chiefs ran Cover 1 man-to-man using a QB spy with the linebacker. Notice how Buffalo’s offensive line went right out and blocked the spy at the line of scrimmage in an effort to take him out of the play if Allen had to scramble. This left the other four offensive linemen one-on-one, something the Bills trusted their group enough to do even without starting right tackle Spencer Brown.

Allen had just enough time to let wide receiver Amari Cooper go to work on the outside with a stutter step and a vertical route down the sideline. Allen put the throw in the perfect place and Cooper made a great one-handed grab.

Play 2

A big 3rd & 8 in the red zone for the Bills earlier in the game worked out nicely. The Bills were in bunch trips to the right, and sent wider receiver Khalil Shakir on a short motion toward the ball.

Buffalo’s offense ran a flood concept but did an excellent job of disguising who was going where. Notice how Samuel stepped back to let Shakir go first, creating some extra separation for him to get the ball. After the catch short of the first down Samuel made a man miss to gain extra yards. This was Samuel’s best game so far as a Bill.

Play 3

What isn’t shown in this clip is how Allen used a hard count to get the Chiefs to show their hand. Kansas City was bluffing a blitz on this play, but Allen already knew they were backing out before he even snapped it. The Chiefs rushed four and dropped into a Cover 2 zone.

The Bills ran a concept that challenged the intermediate level of this coverage. A short hitch/in route by Samuel pulled one middle defender up, and then the threat of Allen scrambling pulled the other middle defender up. This left Shakir running a dig route in front of the safety and plenty of room to catch the football from the vacated defenders underneath.

Play 4

The Bills were bailed out by a blatant defensive holding call on this play, otherwise they would have been a yard short of the first down. However, compare this play to play one above. Nice play variation with the same look by offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

Play 5

Here we have a 3rd & 2 QB draw by Allen to pick up the first down. Backup right tackle Ryan Van Demark pulled all the way across the line of scrimmage to kick out the edge player. He didn’t get a great block on his man but it’s encouraging to see him move this way. The Bills blocked it just well enough for Allen to pick up the first down.

Play 6

This 3rd & 1 play looks like it was a zone read RPO (run pass option) and that Allen saw the numbers being an advantage in the run game. Right guard O’Cyrus Torrence had a crucial block against All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones — which made room for running back Ty Johnson to pick up the first down and then some.

Play 7

Before the snap, the Chiefs secondary made hand signals to each other, likely changing the coverage based on the Bills’ formation. Whatever they changed to was clearly the wrong decision. I’m not sure exactly what KC’s defense was doing here, but they appear to be in some sort of man-to-man coverage. But a miscommunication at the bottom of the screen left tight end Dawson Knox wide open for a first down.

Play 8

Here we have another long third down “converted” by the Bills via penalty, this time at the hands of a pass-interference call. The Bills’ mesh concept over the middle between Knox and Samuel caused their defenders to get in the way of each other, leaving two open options for Allen. Samuel almost came up with this grab even while being interfered with.

Play 9

A “Buffalo Shnow Plow “ for the first down. Checkout Connor McGovern’s block from center on this play.

Play 10

Josh Allen is a big human and deserves credit for his role in these plays, but the push that the offensive line consistently gets is amazing.

Play 11

The Chiefs blitzed seven defenders on this play and played Cover 0 man-to-man behind it. The KC safety responsible for guarding Shakir was late to the action and gave Allen enough space to make a completion at the sticks. Kudos to Allen for taking the easier completion rather than airing it deep on a tougher throw to an open wide receiver in Mack Hollins.

Play 12

As a potential play of the year in the NFL, this deserves a replay of the broadcast call. The Chiefs had a great play call on and fooled the Bills with a zone look while Buffalo ran a man route concept. However, Allen took it into his own hands and made an amazing play. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky breaks it down in depth below:

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In Summary

As fans have become accustomed to, the latest Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs bout was another classic with its fair share of memorable moments. Buffalo’s ability on offense to convert third downs and extend their drives was crucial in maintaining possession of the football en route to points.

Allen and Mahomes are now even with one another in the win column, going 4-4. Now it’s time for the Bills to prove they can do it in the playoffs.