finn

Not having that timeout is going to hurt later in a game this close.

The Bills defense being embarrassed in front of a national audience. McDermott almost literally could not be doing a worse job. If he's going to let them score, at least blitz him just in case they sack Mahomes once in a while.

Well, thank god for the adjustments they made at halftime!

So what adjustments will the Chiefs make?

Yeah, they look as bad as they ever have. No pass rush or coverage downfield. It's not even Mahomes playing particularly great; they look like they couldn't stop a high school quarterback. If they're going to just lie down, maybe they should take some risks, jump routes, go for the turnover.

I'm still mad at Sherfield. Does Allen need to catch it for him, too?

It's like pitch and catch with Mahomes and Kelce, just like every year. We must be missing something because Kelce is just wide, wide open every time. Is he that good against the zone? Does McDermott not want to bother with him?

Maybe they figure he'll fall by himself if they give him plenty of space.

Would have been a perfect time for a fake punt, if McDermott were more like the Lions' coach.

Mahomes with two bad throws in a row in the red zone.

Love Dorian Williams' energy. Counts for a lot.

Am I the only one who holds his breath whenever Bass kicks, even for extra points?

Sorry to say, but Bass would have missed that kick. Heck, he might have missed at that distance with the wind. I hope it's not that kind of game.

That's an interesting observation. I think you may be right. Any other quarterback will almost always hit a throw with a lot of time, but not Allen. He does much better improvising outside the pocket.

Better than a turnover, I suppose.

I thought he did pretty well filling in during the COVID season. Maybe the surfeit of injuries will have a galvanizing effect on the team rather than discourage them. A circle the wagons, next man up kind of thing.

Actually, the offense under Dorsey did better than under Brady in pretty much every category, except, you know, wins.

I didn't mean to imply the Chiefs lack those qualities, just that the Bills have them in greater measure. Not sure yet if that applies to McDermott, though; I think he choked in both playoff games against the Chiefs, the first when he punted at least twice when it was clear the Bills needed to go for it, and for what appears to be his prevent defense in the 13-second game. I don't want him to be an avoid-losing type of coach, but he might be just that. Of course, I have no qualms in that regard about Allen.

I'm not saying it's easy, not with a QB as big and mobile as Allen. And the strategy does carry risks. You're giving him time. Just because Allen never has time doesn't mean he can't make good use of it.

I hope you're right. I want to feel more confident. If I'm KC, I keep Allen contained in the pocket. Take away the deep stuff and make him check it down. That's when he gets impatient and forces things. No scrambling, no off-script improvisations, no deep passes. Blitz on occasion. Make the Bills earn every yard. On offense, go to work on the Bills' backup/injured linebackers. Short passes, screens, slants. Then go deep when the opportunity is there. I see a tough game and a Bills win just because they have more grit and character than the Chiefs.

It is, you're right.

Exactly. Give a very good quarterback like Eli Manning a great line, receivers, play caller, run game, coordinator, and head coach--or even most of these things--and awards and trophies will follow. Hardware does not equal greatness, not by itself.

Appreciate the detailed post. But I have to call BS on one point, which is the familiar claim that Mahomes is better because he has two rings (MVPs, etc.). I would argue that any of a half a dozen quarterbacks in the league now would have done as well as Mahomes under the same circumstances: throwing to two future HOF receivers behind an elite line with (as you say) one of the best offensive minds in the game calling plays. Can you think of another quarterback who has had all these advantages who has NOT done as well? No, having watched both, I think Allen is objectively better. As I said, he's bigger, meaning that he can and has broken far more tackles that the smaller Mahomes. He's faster and more athletic, and he has at least as strong an arm and as creative off script. And his stats (if not awards) are comparable to Mahomes'--with inferior receivers, a far inferior line, and inferior play callers. In fact, now that Mahomes no longer has all these advantages (just some of them), we're seeing that he, too, can struggle. Put it this way: What can Mahomes do that Allen can't do just as well or better, all things being equal? Same receivers, same line, same play calling. Anything?

He better step up. He owes one to Josh.

Great matchup. About time it's not in Arrowhead. Both defensive coordinators are innovative, so that's a wash. I'd say the offensive coordinators are about even, too. And Allen and Mahomes, although I think Allen is better because of his will to win. Pachenko = Cook. Home field is an advantage, but it's more than outweighed by the injuries. Their kicking game is superior. The slightest of edges to KC, but a single holding or PI call, a blocked kick, or fumble, a big return...anything can turn the game one way or another. All things being equal, I'd give it to the Bills because Allen is a better quarterback than Mahomes. Bigger, faster, stronger, more clutch, more determined. Plus, he doesn't run like a squirrel or sound like Kermit.