finn

And....that's the game.

Please, not another incredible game by Allen wasted by a lame defensive effort. That would be just wrong.

I don't think it's Mahomes or even this offense. Any team could drive on this defense, with their injuries and the way they're playing. I don't think I've ever seen a worse defensive effort in all these years watching football. I mean, this is epic. They're not only scoring every drive, they're scoring quickly every drive. The only silver lining are the two field goals, which happened before Reid adjusted to McDermott's duct-tape defense.

Could this be the ONE time the defense stops the Chiefs? Doesn't seem that much to ask.

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.