Archives for October 10, 2021

‘Teams already have gone for it on fourth down eight times versus each of the Chiefs’ and the Bills’ defenses. That’s a lot, because every team averaged 20 fourth-down attempts last season. The overall rate of go-for-it calls is up only a fraction over last year, keeping with a year-over-year trend. But it seems opposing coaches are thinking they need to be aggressive to keep up with Mahomes and Josh Allen.’

‘Johnson has developed over the past several years into a significant asset in the Bills’ defensive backfield. He made one of the biggest plays of the 2020 regular season when he returned an interception against Pittsburgh 51 yards for a touchdown. He made one of the biggest plays in Bills playoff history when he returned an interception of a Lamar Jackson pass 101 yards for a touchdown in the 17-3 divisional round playoff victory over Baltimore in January.’

‘Prediction: Chiefs 31, Bills 27.’

‘“Just that whole attitude shift that he brings along with his play. He’s just a physical presence, big, powerful man who is a very intelligent football player, as well. He has a quiet demeanor, but when you’re around him and you get to know him a little bit, you see his other qualities, his leadership, the way he practices, the way he prepares. He’s helped us tremendously up front and as a defense, just bringing a presence about him, that we were missing. I’ll be frank with you – we missed that. It’s great to have him back.”’

‘For the third time in four Sunday afternoon games, a Bills game hit a 45.9 rating or higher despite being a blowout.’