Kansas City at Buffalo in the Divisional Round!

[Solomon Grundy]

15 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I believe you are a Bills fan. You are just a really emotional one (call it PTSD if you like) who lets your emotional response dictate your assessment of the team sometimes. That isn't meant as a criticism, because you can have an honest and decent conversation about it. 

 

Filthy Beast is a Dolphins fan and is here and on twitter trolling. This is at least his 3rd incarnation on this site. He is not a Bills fan. 

 

I am concerned while our defense is this beaten up. Because my logic is the Chiefs defense is gonna be tough to play. It has been all year. I think they have let up 30 or more once in 2 seasons. They are legit on defense. But that wouldn't worry me if we had all our defensive pieces (and I'm not even meaning Tre and Matt here) because I think we'd be capable of holding them. 

 

You need to give me one of Bernard (not happening) or Taron (feels 50/50 at best) for Sunday. If we have one of those guys up I just favour the Bills. If they are both down I worry Kelce will destroy us in the middle of the field and it won't matter that Mahomes has no good receivers because they will give Kelce 15 or 16 targets and move the ball. 

Maybe Rapp can fill Taron shoes? 

[eball]

12 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I am concerned while our defense is this beaten up. Because my logic is the Chiefs defense is gonna be tough to play. It has been all year. I think they have let up 30 or more once in 2 seasons. They are legit on defense. But that wouldn't worry me if we had all our defensive pieces (and I'm not even meaning Tre and Matt here) because I think we'd be capable of holding them. 

 

You need to give me one of Bernard (not happening) or Taron (feels 50/50 at best) for Sunday. If we have one of those guys up I just favour the Bills. If they are both down I worry Kelce will destroy us in the middle of the field and it won't matter that Mahomes has no good receivers because they will give Kelce 15 or 16 targets and move the ball. 

 

I hear you, but I do have faith in McD not to let that happen.  The strength of this defense is the DL and they are healthy.  If we stop the run and dedicate coverage to Kelce I think we’ll be fine.  They can move the ball between the 20s…we will stop them from scoring TDs.

 

I also think Allen is going to have an easier time against the KC defense than many think.  Their defense is very good but Allen is on another level and we actually have multiple weapons (Diggs/Cook/Kincaid/Knox/Shakir)…I’m not even including or counting on Gabe.

 

Anyway, we’ll see on Sunday night.

 

[Johnnycage46]

10 minutes ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

I’m sorry, but given all the injuries on D I am not enjoying any of this lead up.

 

I can’t stop thinking about this game, 24/7, and I can’t stop hoping and praying they get a reasonable number of these guys back on D.  I want this game so very badly. I’d be willing to go bald all over again just to have it.

 

Please somebody come to my house and bash my head in with a hammer.

 

Just also be sure to wake me up by 6:30 on Sunday. Shaving and sponge bathing me until I am awake again shall not be required of you, but if it is your thing you may feel free to consider it a bonus. 
 

Go Bills!

 

 

The bright side is we'll know a little more after today's practice as far as the injuries, a little more tomorrow, and even more Friday.  So there's always a chance we get a little good news here and there each day leading up to the weekend.  I'm also anxious (not "bash me in the head with a hammer" anxious...yet) so it's making the lead-up to the game not super fun, but hopefully we get some good news on the injury front over the next day or two to make things a little easier to stomach.

 

AND...we do have Josh Allen, and we're at home.  He seems to be in playoff mode, so maybe even with the injuries on D he can just go super nova for us on Sunday.

[Solomon Grundy]

4 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

Gunner, what would be the plan B to try to limit Kelce's success? 

 

I am really afraid of Mahomes legs in this game. He can really make huge plays by extending plays and taking off. 

 

I really respect the KC D. Josh can almost be unstoppable at times and the Bills will need his best version vs that D. 

 

I will mention that the Bills O did pretty well vs a pretty tough Pitt D. Granted no Watt tremendously helped. I think that's the most or pretty close to the most their D has given up all season. 

 

Do you think this could be a Gabe game if he plays? 

Put Rasul on Kelce? Rapp/Taron alternate at nickel? Try to keep Taron as fresh as possible? 

[Gregg]

Aside from Allen I would say Cook is the key to this game. They have to run the ball and if Cook has a big day, then that will help our defense. With the injuries on that side of the ball it is definitely in the Bills best interest to keep Mahomes and company on the sideline.

Edited January 17 by Gregg

[2003Contenders]

11 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

Do you think this could be a Gabe game if he plays? 

One thing I just realized... when we played against the Chiefs earlier this season (Week 14), that was part of that series of games when Gabe went 3 out of 4 (the exception being the Philly game) without catching a single pass. It will be interesting to see what his role would be if he is indeed healthy against a team that he has had success against in the past.

Edited January 17 by 2003Contenders

[newcam2012]

8 minutes ago, eball said:

 

I hear you, but I do have faith in McD not to let that happen.  The strength of this defense is the DL and they are healthy.  If we stop the run and dedicate coverage to Kelce I think we’ll be fine.  They can move the ball between the 20s…we will stop them from scoring TDs.

 

I also think Allen is going to have an easier time against the KC defense than many think.  Their defense is very good but Allen is on another level and we actually have multiple weapons (Diggs/Cook/Kincaid/Knox/Shakir)…I’m not even including or counting on Gabe.

 

Anyway, we’ll see on Sunday night.

 

I like this optimism. Hope you are right by a million. 

3 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Put Rasul on Kelce? Rapp/Taron alternate at nickel? Try to keep Taron as fresh as possible? 

You think they put Rasul on Kelce? Interesting. WR Rice looks dangerous. Someone has to account for him and his speed. 

[NewEra]

8 hours ago, 90sBills said:

It’s definitely the best shot up to date. This is a must win for the Bills. Lose this game and this regime will not get a championship regardless of how good Allen can be at times. 

Terrible take

[newcam2012]

5 minutes ago, Gregg said:

Aside from Allen I would say Cook is the key to this game. They have to run the ball and if Cook has a big day, then that will help our defense. With the injuries on that side of the ball it is definitely in the Bills best interest to keep Mahomes and company on the sideline.

Agree the Bills really need Cook. In the past KC would be less concerned with stopping the Bills running game. 

 

I think a lot has changed recently. The Chiefs secondary is much better as well as the Bills run attack is. Interesting to see how successful the Bills can run it and how much KC tries to attack it. 

[GunnerBill]

12 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

Gunner, what would be the plan B to try to limit Kelce's success? 

 

I am really afraid of Mahomes legs in this game. He can really make huge plays by extending plays and taking off. 

 

I really respect the KC D. Josh can almost be unstoppable at times and the Bills will need his best version vs that D. 

 

 

1. Maybe Taylor Rapp (if healthy himself)? In some sort of dime / hybrid linebacker / big nickel role?

 

2. Yep, and again our athleticism at the second level if our starters end up being Klein, Dodson and Lewis concerns me there too. Might have to really ask the ends to be disciplined and that takes away from your pass rush. What would you rather have? Pick your poison. 

 

3. Agee. I think we are going to need another exceptional performance from Josh and his supporting cast, which - other than the Knox drop right after half time - showed out pretty well for him vs Pitt. 

[extrahammer]

I don't think it's bein discussed enough how we have the opportunity to put the dagger in the Chiefs this Sunday. 

Edited January 17 by extrahammer
wording

[Just Jack]

36 minutes ago, PaattMaann said:

Not loving more travel bans in OP...I am guessing this will disrupt practice/training room time/prep today/tomorrow. Just what we need going into this huge matchup with a depleted roster. 

 

The Bills just need to put the word out that players need to get to the stadium, and within half an hour they will have both DOT and PD escorting them. 

[GunnerBill]

14 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Maybe Rapp can fill Taron shoes? 

 

If healthy. 

[NewEra]

18 hours ago, FilthyBeast said:

 

Despite what you and some other want to believe...I actually have tons of credibility on predictions, and was one of the few to prediction the Texans not only beating the Browns, but doing it fairly easily which was the case.

 

And trust me, I know I'm not going to be the only one here taking the Chiefs over the Bills this week. Confident that 75% or more of the talking heads and pundits outside of Buffalo probably will too but obviously doesn't mean it's set in stone...just looking at the historical data and facts which obviously matter until proven otherwise.

 

 

Tons of credibility = 170 followers.  
 

 

You need to wake up

[newcam2012]

2 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

1. Maybe Taylor Rapp (if healthy himself)? In some sort of dime / hybrid linebacker / big nickel role?

 

2. Yep, and again our athleticism at the second level if our starters end up being Klein, Dodson and Lewis concerns me there too. Might have to really ask the ends to be disciplined and that takes away from your pass rush. What would you rather have? Pick your poison. 

 

3. Agee. I think we are going to need another exceptional performance from Josh and his supporting cast, which - other than the Knox drop right after half time - showed out pretty well for him vs Pitt. 

Number 2 really concerns me. This is the exact type of game that Milano would thrive in. 

4 minutes ago, extrahammer said:

I don't think it's bein discussed enough how we have the opportunity to put the dagger in the Chiefs this Sunday. 

I think we all know this...

[Slippery Rubber Mats]

17 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

Look...whatever it takes to appease the football Gods.

 

Exactly. The Rituals are the Rituals.

[RobbRiddick]

I agree with those saying the defensive injuries may be too much to overcome. 

 

Mahomes is obviously a super confident guy unfazed by anything. He'll strut into the stadium and it won't bother him at all. I fear it could be death by a thousand paper cuts with him just extending drives with short passes and a few scrambles.

 

For me the key is to try and get a takeaway early and build a lead. Force Mahomes to stay in the pocket a second longer looking for something deep, or take a risk on a throw trying to make a big play. Our defensive line is very good at batting passes, so I hope they can bat one in the air that gets picked off.

[PBF81]

Balanced Offense

 

The Chiefs are 3-5 when their opponents run for 118+.

 

1-3 at 123+.

 

The Chiefs rushing D is not good.  Cook & Co. with a few Allen runs sprinkled in for good measure should be enough regardless of the D.  

 

 

[newcam2012]

9 minutes ago, RobbRiddick said:

I agree with those saying the defensive injuries may be too much to overcome. 

 

Mahomes is obviously a super confident guy unfazed by anything. He'll strut into the stadium and it won't bother him at all. I fear it could be death by a thousand paper cuts with him just extending drives with short passes and a few scrambles.

 

For me the key is to try and get a takeaway early and build a lead. Force Mahomes to stay in the pocket a second longer looking for something deep, or take a risk on a throw trying to make a big play. Our defensive line is very good at batting passes, so I hope they can bat one in the air that gets picked off.

What's really not being talked about much is the Chiefs defensive game plan. We all know Spags is pretty aggressive and will bring some timely pressure. This can be a game where Allen is running for his life. 

 

I feel like their secondary matches up very well with the Bills WRs. Diggs is largely a non factor vs KC. Shakir doesn't get enough volume and who knows about Gabe. Either way Gabe isn't reliable. 

 

The x factors are Kincaid and Cook. Both could have some big games. 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

1 hour ago, newcam2012 said:

Well the fact is the Bills defense is not healthy. Mahomes certainly won't get the best defense the Bills could have on display. Sucks, unfortunate, and sucks some more. Injuries always play a part in football. 

 

McD knows the Chiefs offense. He's been somewhat successful with his game plans. Unfortunately, not as much come playoff time. Hopefully, things change will the home field advantage. 

 

The next man up mentality has really been true with this Bills defense. Klein off his RV played remarkable well. Elam with a huge INT and Dorian Williams flashing. This is very encouraging. It will take a total team effort to win. 

 

The Chiefs team isn't as dominant as previous years. Yet, they are very scary with Mahomes and Jones anchoring their perspective sides. Not to mention their secondary is lights out. Reid will likely have a few tricks up his sleeve. 

 

On the other side, McD has done a superb job with his depleted D. Hopefully, it can continue. During the winning stretch his defense has been able to close the games. Gotta see it in this game; a huge playoff game. We all know this hasn't been the case. It's his nemesis if you will. Get the monkey off your back.

 

I believe McD is going to be pretty aggressive on offense. I can see him going for it on 4th downs. 

 

On defense, Mahomes is a blitz killer. The front four has to get pressure. Likely they can attack their tackles where they appear to be weaker. I wish I could say it's Von Miller time. How great that would be. Just can't see it happening.

 

Lastly, the Bills need McD not to blow it. I don't say this in a  sarcastic manner. 13 seconds has to be on everyone's mind. It's inevitable. McD was fortunate that the end of the half debacle didn't cost the team. That absolutely gave Pitt life as they were on life support. Making coaching mistakes are going to happen. I get that. However, coaching blunders just can't happen when the teams are so evenly matched. 

Sounds like they’re all day to day on defense(even Bernard) according to McDermott and given we won’t feel as comfy as we did pre Steelers game I’d suspect a lot of them play 

I don’t think attempting the fg there was a ‘blunder’ in the way 13 seconds was lol for me the most important coaching matchup in this one is Brady vs spagnuolo.  That chiefs offense is not the explosive group its been in the past but they can absolutely hold a team under 17 points