So, how is everyone feeling about this defense going into the playoffs?

[Dillenger4]

31 minutes ago, SCBills said:

Pre-angry that they will let us down… again. 
 

However, a small piece of me hopes McDermott finally shows us what he can do with a healthy Defense when it matters.

 

Up to this point, there’s always been an excuse.   The only excuse he has right now is that they just aren’t good enough .. which I hear our podcasters discuss, and eh…

 

They had 6M to give to a WR made of glass..

 

We paid Ed, brought back Daquan, spent a premium pick on a DT, brought back AJ, Smoot is solid, have Rousseau, Von in the Floyd role for the Playoffs.

 

LB is in a far better position than last year with 75% Milano plus a healthy Bernard and Williams.

 

Healthy Douglas, Benford and Taron give us one of the best DB rooms in the league.

 

Rapp is just as good as what Hyde gave us last year and they’ll have to figure it out between Hamlin & Bishop (another premium defensive pick)

 

I know we have an undersized defense, but much of that is by design.  Thats what McDermott wants.. a quick, gap shooting front 7.. so figure it out. 

 

Tell me why we can’t expect them to step it up this postseason?  We should, and McDermott can really change the narrative around him if they do. 
 

Love this post! Very positive outlook and I tend to "want" to agree. If they can somehow get it together we will be a tough team to beat!

[stuvian]

I'm expecting Clappy to seize the day and call plays that squeeze the most out of our guys when it matters most. He knows that he doesn't have forever to make his and this team's claim to greatness. 

[DrBob806]

20 hours ago, Eastport bills said:

I’m concerned about our defense matching up with Baltimore. We are a light, smallish  speed defense in the front seven. We struggled against runners not nearly as tough as Henry. I think our  safeties are physical, especially Rapp, but they get out of position against top receivers, as shown with Nicua, St.Brown, etc. Those TEs are very good, and with heavy boxes to protect against Lamar and Henry,we’re vulnerable. To me, we need a slow track, a big effort from Josh and the offense and a couple of turnovers, which we excel at.

I hear you, but the flip side of a Ratbird matchup, things turn towards the Bills' favor- IF the Bills happen to get a few stops, and go up say 21-3 or 21-7, I feel somewhat confident Lamar can't complete enough passes to mount a comeback. His accuracy is questionable, and his WRs drop a lot of good thrown balls.

[FireChans]

11 hours ago, Thurman#1 said:

 

 

Yeah, it's really sad how the Bills can't seem to stop the Chiefs offense and all those other teams do.

 

For instance, there's the ... um ... all those teams that stopped them consistently when they needed a successful drive to win ... um ... the uh ... the uh.

 

Hmm, it's almost as if they won those SBs for good reason.

 

 

Somehow other teams manage to not let them play one of their best offensive games of the year against them in crunch time.

 

Best offensive game of the 2023 Chiefs in the playoffs by EP AND fifth best of their season was against … the Bills.

 

Best offensive game of the 2022 Bengals in the playoffs by EP AND third best of their season was against… the Bills. 
 

Best offensive game of the 2021 Chiefs in the playoffs by EP AND third best of their season was against … the Bills.

 

Best offensive game of the 2020 Chiefs in the playoffs by EP and their best game of their season was against … the Bills.

 

And honestly it makes sense. We are the only team with a real argument of having a QB on Mahomes level or even better. Yet we keep losing in the playoffs. Is Allen a choker? Obviously not, he has a pretty incredible playoff resume. Deductively, it’s probably the defenses’ fault and the numbers bear that out. They choke and play terrible. Every year. And they are not just bad, but legitimately the worst playoff defense against them. Every year. And every year trots out “we had someone injured,” or some other excuse. 
 

What are the odds the Chiefs have their best offensive game in the postseason vs the Bills in the AFCCG? Pretty high probably, right?

Edited Wednesday at 05:42 PM by FireChans

[LABILLBACKER]

3 hours ago, RunTheBall said:

If the D-line comes to play, and we can improve that horrific 3rd down defense even a little, I think the D can do enough to give us a chance to win every game.

 

My concern is if the offense starts slow or has an off game, we will be dependent on turnovers to keep us in it and that’s just so highly variable.

 

We all know the offense is capable of 30+.  But we can't be naive enough to think they’ll do that every playoff game. There will be an offensive letdown somewhere along the road to the SB.  That's when we need our D more than ever. Maybe they are secretly saving some defensive wrinkles for the playoffs? Expecting us to get 2-3 takeaways is unrealistic. On a positive note it does look like we'll be relatively healthy going into the WC round.

Edited Wednesday at 06:34 PM by LABILLBACKER

[Boatdrinks]

50 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Somehow other teams manage to not let them play one of their best offensive games of the year against them in crunch time.

 

Best offensive game of the 2023 Chiefs in the playoffs by EP AND fifth best of their season was against … the Bills.

 

Best offensive game of the 2022 Bengals in the playoffs by EP AND third best of their season was against… the Bills. 
 

Best offensive game of the 2021 Chiefs in the playoffs by EP AND third best of their season was against … the Bills.

 

Best offensive game of the 2020 Chiefs in the playoffs by EP and their best game of their season was against … the Bills.

 

And honestly it makes sense. We are the only team with a real argument of having a QB on Mahomes level or even better. Yet we keep losing in the playoffs. Is Allen a choker? Obviously not, he has a pretty incredible playoff resume. Deductively, it’s probably the defenses’ fault and the numbers bear that out. They choke and play terrible. Every year. And they are not just bad, but legitimately the worst playoff defense against them. Every year. And every year trots out “we had someone injured,” or some other excuse. 
 

What are the odds the Chiefs have their best offensive game in the postseason vs the Bills in the AFCCG? Pretty high probably, right?

Probably. First, they know they’re playing vs a QB that’s at least the equal of their own. That affects the offensive gameplan / approach. Second, the Bills defense just isn’t very good right now. It’s been better ( on paper) in previous years, but also with many key injuries. The Chiefs also have an all time great offensive mind as their HC. So yes, the odds are pretty high. 

[Coach Tuesday]

30 minutes ago, Boatdrinks said:

Probably. First, they know they’re playing vs a QB that’s at least the equal of their own. That affects the offensive gameplan / approach. Second, the Bills defense just isn’t very good right now. It’s been better ( on paper) in previous years, but also with many key injuries. The Chiefs also have an all time great offensive mind as their HC. So yes, the odds are pretty high. 

And the odds are that unless the Bills go the distance, the heat will be turned up even more on McD this offseason.  The “Tyler Dunne Offseason Narrative” will be that McD has “added” to his resume by wasting an MVP season from Allen.  Fair or not that will be the discussion all offseason if they don’t win it all.  Will be intense.

[Buffalo Boy]

1 hour ago, FireChans said:

Somehow other teams manage to not let them play one of their best offensive games of the year against them in crunch time.

 

Best offensive game of the 2023 Chiefs in the playoffs by EP AND fifth best of their season was against … the Bills.

 

Best offensive game of the 2022 Bengals in the playoffs by EP AND third best of their season was against… the Bills. 
 

Best offensive game of the 2021 Chiefs in the playoffs by EP AND third best of their season was against … the Bills.

 

Best offensive game of the 2020 Chiefs in the playoffs by EP and their best game of their season was against … the Bills.

 

And honestly it makes sense. We are the only team with a real argument of having a QB on Mahomes level or even better. Yet we keep losing in the playoffs. Is Allen a choker? Obviously not, he has a pretty incredible playoff resume. Deductively, it’s probably the defenses’ fault and the numbers bear that out. They choke and play terrible. Every year. And they are not just bad, but legitimately the worst playoff defense against them. Every year. And every year trots out “we had someone injured,” or some other excuse. 
 

What are the odds the Chiefs have their best offensive game in the postseason vs the Bills in the AFCCG? Pretty high probably, right?

   Many on here have been saying for months now that the Chiefs are cooked. That they are a shell of their former selves. That they can’t just “ Turn it on” for the playoffs. 
   Going through this thread there is a bunch of Pie in the Sky being professed. 
   IF we beat Baltimore to get to the AFCC game, what are the chances we are not down a few more D starters after Baltimore smacks the snot out of our LBs and DBs.

   And there it is again, more excuses for McD 😒

[BADOLBILZ]

8 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

And the odds are that unless the Bills go the distance, the heat will be turned up even more on McD this offseason.  The “Tyler Dunne Offseason Narrative” will be that McD has “added” to his resume by wasting an MVP season from Allen.  Fair or not that will be the discussion all offseason if they don’t win it all.  Will be intense.

 

Will McD be more likely to quit or be fired if he leaves in the near future?   I hope they win that SB this year and that doesn't happen......but if not I certainly don't think Terry Pegula would fire McD for another playoff loss.   But the fans sorta' ran Mularkey out of town when he quit.  If McD perceives he's grossly under appreciated and doesn't like his treatment in the area maybe he decides to move on.  That would be a tough call with Josh Allen at QB and control of the purse strings.  Maybe Tepper gets humbled and offers he and Beane the same deal to return home to Carolina after 2025.

Edited Wednesday at 07:04 PM by BADOLBILZ

[Coach Tuesday]

14 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

Will McD be more likely to quit or be fired if he leaves in the near future?   I hope they win that SB this year and that doesn't happen......but if not I certainly don't think Terry Pegula would fire McD for another playoff loss.   But the fans sorta' ran Mularkey out of town when he quit.  If McD perceives he's grossly under appreciated and doesn't like his treatment in the area maybe he decides to move on.  That would be a tough call with Josh Allen at QB and control of the purse strings.  Maybe Tepper gets humbled and offers he and Beane the same deal to return home to Carolina after 2025.

I don’t think it’s in his DNA to quit.  And I agree Pegula won’t touch him.  But something will have to give if they don’t get it done.  The offense (surprisingly) was not the issue this year.  Allen’s turnovers went away and so did his off field drama.  The locker room is cohesive.  They had some dead cap issues but they’ve invested plenty in their defense in terms of cap dollars and draft picks.  These are McD’s players in McD’s system and if they can’t stop anyone in the playoffs yet again, I just don’t know where they go from here.  Frazier isn’t there to scapegoat anymore.  You can blame a rookie DC I guess?  And I’m sure they’ll toss Smiley off the starboard bow.  But the fan uproar will be deafening if Allen wins MVP and the defense craps out yet again.

Edited Wednesday at 07:18 PM by Coach Tuesday

[Mikie2times]

As certain I have been to over our playoff demise, a chance exists Baltimore just doesn’t show well. They haven’t exactly been a playoff juggernaut and are arguably just as challenged as we are in the post season. Then you have to be ok with our chances in KC if that happened. Our team is built more around defending them than anybody else. It would be a close game (“I would think”).
 

Denver could give us some issues. They moved the ball pretty easily on a better defense last year. Payton is + over McD in a spot like this. I expect that will end up being a close game. Crazy to think, but Bo Nix will probably be the best QB we faced in the wild card round since 150 years old Phillip Rivers.

[MasterStrategist]

I like where we're at right now, without any more injuries.

 

It will honestly come down to getting 1-2 key stops/turnovers, when playing elite offenses.

 

Top in forced turnovers, pressure % is solid as is a low missed tackle rate.

 

What scares me is lack of speed in secondary/YAC, and most importantly Red zone efficiency.  Need to clamp up inside the 20.

 

We will absolutely need to continue winning the turnover margin, or get significantly better at forcing FGs rather than TDs.

 

 

[MasterStrategist]

3 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:

As certain I have been to over our playoff demise, a chance exists Baltimore just doesn’t show well. They haven’t exactly been a playoff juggernaut and are arguably just as challenged as we are in the post season. Then you have to be ok with our chances in KC if that happened. Our team is built more around defending them than anybody else. It would be a close game (“I would think”).
 

Denver could give us some issues. They moved the ball pretty easily on a better defense last year. Payton is + over McD in a spot like this. I expect that will end up being a close game. Crazy to think, but Bo Nix will probably be the best QB we faced in the wild card round since 150 years old Phillip Rivers.

Broncos are 4-5 on the road, and that has been recent/season long struggle for them.

 

Rookie Nix coming to Buffalo for playoffs, I'm not concerned whatsoever.

 

It's divisional round that will likely be Ravens.  They are the best offense in NFL IMO, has been getting back on track.  Turnovers and forcing a very inconsistent Tucker to kick in swirling winds will be the difference.

[Homey D. Clown]

I'd feel safer in a submarine with a screen door.

[bobobonators]

I think this defense is pretty good. We are healthy and that is the most important thing. 
 

A couple of things I want to note:

 

1. After we clinched vs the 49ers I felt our defense slept walked through that game. We clinched, traveled to the west coast and played a talented Rams team who had their season on the line. Some miracle catches were made by the Rams that game too. I’m not concerned. Our offense can sleepwalk to 25-30pts but our defense needs intensity. And I felt we lacked it on the defensive side. 
 

2. Vs the Lions, everyone knew that was going to be a Super Bowl type game and it was. Second week on the road. Everyone knew it was going to be a high scoring game.

 

3. aside from those two games, we have kept opponents to 21 points or less in the last 7 games. And that included some decent offenses (49ers,  Chiefs and Rodgers had been lighting it up lately) 

 

 

Edited Wednesday at 07:40 PM by bobobonators

[Mikie2times]

16 minutes ago, MasterStrategist said:

Broncos are 4-5 on the road, and that has been recent/season long struggle for them.

 

Rookie Nix coming to Buffalo for playoffs, I'm not concerned whatsoever.

 

It's divisional round that will likely be Ravens.  They are the best offense in NFL IMO, has been getting back on track.  Turnovers and forcing a very inconsistent Tucker to kick in swirling winds will be the difference.

Can Rookie Nix get 3-5 yards a play with a degree of efficiency? Rookie Maye was able to do it. Russell Wilson was able to do it. Payton is a very good offensive game planner. He will value TOP and parlay keeping the ball away from our offense with a pretty solid defense of his own. He knows the recipe to beat us. I just don't think it's going to be the blowout everybody thinks.  

[BADOLBILZ]

23 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

I don’t think it’s in his DNA to quit.  And I agree Pegula won’t touch him.  But something will have to give if they don’t get it done.  The offense (surprisingly) was not the issue this year.  Allen’s turnovers went away and so did his off field drama.  The locker room is cohesive.  They had some dead cap issues but they’ve invested plenty in their defense in terms of cap dollars and draft picks.  These are McD’s players in McD’s system and if they can’t stop anyone in the playoffs yet again, I just don’t know where they go from here.  Frazier isn’t there to scapegoat anymore.  You can blame a rookie DC I guess?  And I’m sure they’ll toss Smiley off the starboard bow.  But the fan uproar will be deafening if Allen wins MVP and the defense craps out yet again.

 

I do think we tend to see our situation of not winning as particularly disappointing..........but it's not really different than what Andy Reid went thru in Philly.   In hindsight McNabb wasn't an all-time great but he was a superstar in his time and the competition in conference wasn't all of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson every year either.   And Reid squandered a bunch of #1 seedings with McNabb and the SB they did make was uncompetitive.   McD has blown none of those #1 seeds, he has a dynasty in his conference to contend with and has had a better winning % than Reid did during his Eagles tenure.   It's frustrating but whenever I see anyone say they "should have won one by now" I really don't think it's a shoulda' situation.   It was a coulda' situation.  None of the teams that the Bills lost to in the playoffs were clearly lesser than the Bills.

[frostbitmic]

I think Josh knows deep down he's going to have to put up 40+ every game from here on out.

[BuffaloRebound]

With our offense, it only takes a couple stops from the defense.  I’m hoping McDermott has learned his lesson that against the good teams/QB’s it’s better to take chances and give up some big plays than let them methodically march down the field and make you die a slow death and while keeping our offense off the field.  

[hondo in seattle]

2 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

We all know the offense is capable of 30+.  But we can't be naive enough to think they’ll do that every playoff game. There will be an offensive letdown somewhere along the road to the SB.  That's when we need our D more than ever. Maybe they are secretly saving some defensive wrinkles for the playoffs? Expecting us to get 2-3 takeaways is unrealistic. On a positive note it does look like we'll be relatively healthy going into the WC round.

 

Sadly, I think you're right.  And if we do have an offensive letdown, we'll probably lose because this D isn't equal to the talent of the offenses we'll face.  And then everyone will blame McD for not scheming a better D instead of Beane for not managing the cap better and drafting/signing better players. 

 

Hopefully we get lucky with the timing.  We can still  win it all if our O's off game comes on the same day that our defense and special teams have atypically great days.  Complimentary football matters.  One of our three squads can be a little off and we still might squeak out a victory.  But if two squads have bad days at the same time, we're doomed.  

I hoping and praying that Brady, Josh, and this offense go on a historic offensive run and we don't have to rely too much on the D or special teams.