Chiefs are just better than the Bills

[Jim]

7 minutes ago, Success said:

 

This post is almost incomprehensible to me.

 

It's a pre-2004 Red Sox fan post.   

 

"Buffalo will never win a major sports title.  Take that to the bank." What the heck is that?  If you want to speak something into existence, have at it.  I choose to believe will end up w/ a winning record in Super Bowls at 5-4.

 

 

Why? I see no reason to believe the Bills will ever win anything. We don't get the breaks that the Patriots and the Chiefs of the world get. We have the QB we've always been waiting for, and we get a coach that doesn't know that you squib kick it with 13 seconds left. We have a coach  and his former defensive coordinator who didn't think after that squib kick, despite calling a timeout, that maybe it's useless to guard the sidelines when the team on offense has time outs. Maybe it's a curse, maybe our team can't hire the best cuz the team is located in sad sack Buffalo, New York. I don't know what it is. We draft James Cook in the second round, and he will drop 4 out of 5 sure TD passes. KC draft Pacheco in the seventh, he looks like he runs through a brick wall every time he gets the ball. They have Travis Kelce who can have the most pedestrian regular season, and will catch anything thrown his way in the playoffs. We have drama queen Stefon Diggs who demands the ball, but who is nowhere to be seen when crunch time comes. It's just the way it is. it isn't going to change. It is what it is. I'll be excited when we're 5 and 2 next year, then I'll be disappointed when we're 7 and 5, and then excited again when we end up with the number 3 seed, only lose to Houston in the divisional round. And I'll do it all over again, because I can't help myself.

 

The Bills, the Lions, the Browns, etc....these teams will never win. You can feel it in your bones. We all knew at 24 to 7 in the NFC Championship game that another shoe was gonna drop and that the Lions would blow it.

 

For all those who are so comfortable in saying Allen will get one, stop lying to yourselves. It is NEVER EVER going to happen. Things like that don't happen in Western New York. Apparently we don't deserve it. But some pricks in Missouri do.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

22 hours ago, hjnick said:

I think the last 7-8 minutes of that game was totally mismanaged by Buffalo.

 

When we got the ball w/ 7-8 minutes left we should have hurried up and moved down the field as fast as possible.  Hopefully getting a TD with about 4-5 minutes left.

 

Then give the ball back to mahomes... maybe we stop them, maybe we don't... BUT we probably get the ball BACK with about 1:30 to go, with the ball in Josh Allen's hands instead of Mahomes to go and get the win! 

 

IMO, that was the right way to win that game at the end.

 

I believe a certain deep ball was on that drive, no?  

 

+4 is a lot different than +3 with less than 2 left.  The chiefs had been running it quite well in the 2nd half, which they probably still could a little bit but maybe 1 or 2 plays.  With less than 2 left, you can take klein off the field for practically the entire drive.  

[SaulGoodman]

On 2/12/2024 at 8:56 AM, Buffalo03 said:

That. Doesn't. Mean. They're. Better. The Steelers could have beat us in the wild card game. Would that mean the Steelers are better? The Packers damn well could have and should have beat the 49ers, does that make them better if they did?

 

Basically every pundit said the Chiefs looked like the better team in that game. The only thing that kept it a one-score game was Hardman's goal line fumble. 

[hjnick]

1 hour ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

I believe a certain deep ball was on that drive, no?  

 

+4 is a lot different than +3 with less than 2 left.  The chiefs had been running it quite well in the 2nd half, which they probably still could a little bit but maybe 1 or 2 plays.  With less than 2 left, you can take klein off the field for practically the entire drive.  

Well, you take a shot down the field if you have an advantage there.

 

Buffalo's last offensive drive of the year was very methodical. which we have done many times this year, with great results alot of the time.

 

KC is just a different animal.  I want the ball in Josh's hands at the end of the game.  JMHO on the end of the game.

[njbuff]

Like I said, the Bills toughest opponent is the Bills.

 

But people want to use the injury excuse on D as the reason the Bills lost to them this year. I won’t use that excuse because even with a healthier D the two previous playoff matchups, the Quiefs lit the Bills up for a combined 80 points. 
 

The Bills are going to have railroad them in a playoff game to beat them. The Bills will NEVER beat the Chiefs in a close game when it truly matters.

[billsfan_34]

Better coached better Defense better special teams (kicker).

[PromoTheRobot]

On 2/12/2024 at 9:30 AM, Ethan in Cleveland said:

It is so sad but the inescapable truth is they are just better. 

 

Almost across the board they are just better with the exception of a few spots

 

HC Reid over McD

OC Reid over Brady

DC Spag over McD

QB probably a push because I love Allen as my QB but even there Mahomes is probably better

OL Bills improved but Chiefs are better 

TE until he retires Kelce is the best

WR Diggs is probably still the best and as a group Bills are probably just as good or better than the Chiefs

RB Cook is the best RB between both teams 

DL Jones is in the conversation for best DL in the league and their group is far better than Bills

LB With a healthy Milano this is one position Bills may be better

Secondary nickel is a push but as a group they are better and younger 

Kicker they have the best in the league and now Bass is a huge concern for next year

Punter who cares

 

Ownership Hunt family is iconic. Pegula saved the Bills for Buffalo. Push. 

 

As I've said repeatedly, our only hope is Allen being superhuman and willing the team to a win. Even then it might take a lucky bounce to beat them when it matters.

The parallels to Brady/Belichick and Manning/Dungy are sickening.  

 

I will put my faith in Allen and hope he delivers!!!

 

 

[ALF]

Hindsight is 20/20  . Reid left Eagles end of 2012 season , not hired by Bills , Reid wanted Mahomes in 2017.  Difference in GM 

[Billsatlastin2018]

Why it’s so difficult to beat Andy Reid

From the Athletic…

 

The secrets of Andy Reid’s success: Attention to detail, humor and Haagen-Dazs

 

Brad Childress was driving with Andy Reid at the Senior Bowl years ago when something caught Reid’s eye: a red neon light.

Childress was confused. He had never heard of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and he definitely didn’t understand the significance of the red light.

Reid filled him in. If the red light is on, it means Krispy Kreme is making fresh donuts. It also means a free donut with the purchase of a hot dozen. Reid and Childress pulled over; the dozen (plus the freebie) didn’t survive the drive to the hotel.

Reid is one of the great masters of detail, a head coach who scripts the formation of plays to six-inch precision, who notices when players are wearing the wrong socks at practice and who can spot a neon red light and take advantage.

GO DEEPER

Andy Reid stayed the course in Chiefs' Super Bowl win, now numbers among all-time greats

With the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime win Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, Reid cemented his place as one of the NFL’s all-time greats. He is now one of only five coaches with at least three Super Bowl victories, and he has won the fourth-most games in league history, trailing only Don Shula, George Halas and Bill Belichick.

Reid is one of the game’s most respected offensive minds, but his success goes beyond scheme. Over the years he has created an unlikely dichotomy: an environment obsessed with the tiniest of details that is still loose, fun and personalized.

To understand Reid’s success, The Athletic spoke to more than a dozen players, coaches and staffers and asked them for their best stories.

Dustin Colquitt (punter): He’s VERY, VERY specific — with football, with plays, with life, with conversations.

Brendan Daly (assistant coach): He is as routine an individual as I’ve been around.

Brad Childress (assistant coach): There were specific instructions about what to have on the buffet for the after-meeting meal the night before a game. Haagen-Dazs was a staple.

Nick Potter (athletic trainer): Haagen-Dazs is his favorite ice cream, his favorite dessert.

Anthony Sherman (fullback): He is very particular about what ice cream he eats.

Childress: It had to be Haagen-Dazs.

Dave Toub (assistant coach): If it’s not Haagen-Dazs, they gotta go out and get it.

Potter: I don’t believe Marriott carries it, so it was catered in on every trip.

Colquitt: There was one elevator that nobody could use. It was only Andy’s elevator. He would get ice cream and then go straight for that open elevator that nobody else could ride. But I saw a couple times these hotels did not pay attention to detail, and Mitch Reynolds, his travel operations guy, there would be an altercation in that meeting room about Haagen-Dazs.

Sherman: There was one time in Baltimore where for some reason they didn’t put it out right away. (Reid) came in and just looked at it and knew, right away, that it wasn’t Haagen-Dazs. I looked at Mitch Reynolds and said, “Dude, that’s not Haagen-Dazs.” He goes, “No, it is, it is.” I go, “I’m telling you right now, it’s not. Look at him.” He was just staring at it.

Frank Zombo (linebacker): If you mess up that, it was as bad as if you missed the plane.

Sherman: (Reynolds) goes, “Oh my goodness, maybe they put out the frozen yogurt.” You could tell by Mitch’s face, he was like, “I’m going to get fired if they don’t have Haagen-Dazs here.”

Colquitt: He would stand there with a spoon and a scooper waiting for them to go to change it to Haagen-Dazs or get a delivery of Haagen-Dazs. He would not eat it if it was like Blue Bell or something. He would tell people, “You go ahead if you’re going to get it, but I’m waiting on ice cream. This isn’t ice cream.”

Derrick Johnson (linebacker): He always stresses, “Let your personality show.”

Colquitt: And he means it.

Potter: He has this remarkable ability to treat everyone different so they’re all the same. And I always found that fascinating. I think that’s one of his biggest strengths.

Zombo: Dustin would come in the quarterback room because he was bored, and one time he drew a picture on the whiteboard of every quarterback.

Colquitt: I basically drew them … it’s nuts. You couldn’t use it. It’s totally sick.

(Editor’s note: He’s right. We’ve seen the pictures. They are not suitable for publication.)

Zombo: Coach Reid goes to sit down, and they look at the board. He just turns and goes, “F—ing punter.”

Colquitt: One day he was walking across the fields and I’m standing on the sideline just watching. He makes eye contact with me and just stops dead, right in the middle of the field. He looks at me and goes, “You need professional help.”

Daly: Brian Schaffer, the security guard, stuck a bobcat in the guys’ dorm rooms during training camp. It is a taxidermied bobcat. You would walk into your dorm room late at night and flip the light on …

George Karlaftis (defensive end): … and there is a bobcat, and it looks real.

Daly: They decided this had legs, so they got the video guys involved and started setting up cameras. And the legend is going around.

Karlaftis: There is always some kind of thing to keep things fun and loose.

Daly: Coach has the video guys do this montage of them at the end of training camp. Just beautiful levity. This montage of everybody who got juiced by this bobcat.

Colquitt: His attention to detail, I never played for anybody quite like that.

Toub: We have to have our shirt tucked in.

Daly: No hands in the pockets

Karlaftis: No black shoes or black socks, nothing the Raiders wear.

Kevin Saxton (assistant coach): I had on black Nike ankle socks that you could barely see. Guys are coming up to me saying, “Hey, you gotta change those.”

Daly: My very first day on the field, I’m out with the defensive line doing individual (drills). I don’t think he was even on the practice field at the time. He was in his office, which looks out over the field.

Joe Cullen (assistant coach): He sees everything.

Daly: We get done and the offense is coming onto the field and he grabs me coming off and he’s like, “Hey, loved the individual. One thing: hat on pointed forward.”

Colquitt: One time during a practice, we’re all bringing it in and he has a quick thing, “Hey, good on offense today, defense do this,” and then he goes, “Dustin, break us down and make sure you wear this year’s issued turf shoes when you’re out here at practice.” I looked down. I had the shoes on from the year before.

GO DEEPER

Why Chiefs coach Andy Reid runs the NFL's hardest training camp

Richie James, wide receiver: We were in the indoor (facility) and you are on the wall a little bit. The sideline is right there, but I’m about to lean on the wall and (staffer Mike) Frazier comes over, and he goes, “Hey, man, uh, coach Reid don’t like leaning on the wall.”

Rod Wilson (assistant coach): I just kind of like tilted up on a pole. I literally just came out and kind of touched it, didn’t even realize I was doing it. Andy saw me from way on the other side.

Sherman: I don’t know how he would see things.

James: As soon as you put your helmet down, the water girls are walking right to you: “Hey, let me get your helmet.” You can’t even have it at your feet. It’s just that simple.

Wilson: He likes everything clean, consistent, everybody on the same page.

Sherman: He’s got one of the best senses of humor.

Daly: An extremely quick wit.

Colquitt: Super funny.

Sherman: He’s dressed up as Santa and come in the locker room.

Daly: Coach is all about that stuff.

Sherman: We’d get in the tunnel before games and I’d always be right next to him, and he’d look at me and go, “Hey, do you want to race out here? I’ll get you the first three steps.”

Zombo: He always used this expression, “I don’t care where we play them. I’ll play them in a parking lot.”

Sherman: It was always the CVS parking lot.

Zombo: We were about to play the Rams in Mexico, and it was right when we got notified that the game was (moved) because the field conditions were so bad. He came in to let us know.

Daly: When he’s talking to the team, he reacts off the crowd extremely well, almost like a stand-up comedian.

Zombo: He’s like, “Alright boys, I just want to let you know we’re not going to Mexico. But I don’t care where we play them. We’ll play them anywhere. I’ll play them in a Walmart parking lot. But … I guess we’re just not going to play them in Mexico.”

Sherman: My nickname was The Sausage. He called me that in meetings and no one knew who he was talking about; I didn’t even know. I’m like, “Who is he talking to?” And he’d be like, “I’m talking to you,” and point at me. So the next morning, he walked out and was like, “You want to know why I’m calling you The Sausage?” I’m like, “Yeah, I would love to.” He’s like, “You just remind me of a breakfast sausage, all cased up in the casing and just ready to explode.” I’m like, “Alright, thanks!”

Johnson: He always has a notecard.

Ron Rivera (assistant coach): Oh my god, Andy took unbelievable notes.

Colquitt: At any point, if anybody says anything that he wants to remember, it is written down.

Gil Haskell (assistant coach): Andy took more notes than anybody in the building.

Johnson: I was always like, “What is he writing down?” He’s too big for us to walk on up to him and ask him that, so we just let him do what he does.

Rivera: I’ve kept some of the notes he kept, just so I had them. They said, “Look to shorten this meeting time,” and then it says, “Add that time onto the afternoon meeting time.”

Deland McCullough (assistant coach): We’d come in on Mondays and do the scouting report, so all the offensive coaches and all the support staff. Each of us had a portion of the defense. I’d talk about linebackers. Coach Reid would sit there with a notebook and he’d just write. … He’d get up and say, “All right, see you guys in a few hours,” and walk away. All of us knew: Hey, go to your office and sit there. He ain’t going to call you on your cell phone. Your ass better be sitting in your damn office because you will get a call on your office phone.

Childress: He just had a button he punched.

McCullough: Next thing I’d know my phone rings. I’d go down there and he’d say, “So you really think we can run the option route against these linebackers? We really feel we can run a naked against these guys?” He already knew the answers.

Childress: He’s almost always able to see over the horizon. He was organized and methodical in the daily stuff, but he was always thinking ahead. “What’s the bye week schedule going to be? What are we doing this offseason?”

Sherman: We were so prepared for that first Super Bowl we went to. Everything was timed up. Everything was on cue, even so much so that I would do a pre-workout before every game, and (Reid) knew that.

Johnson: His mind is always going.

Sherman: He was like, “Listen, make sure you time that pre-workout up right. You’re going to get introduced and it’s going to be another 20 minutes before kickoff, so time that thing up right.”

McCullough: When I signed my contract, he took a picture of me signing my contract like I was a player. I was like, “What’s up with that, coach?” He was like, “I’m taking a picture of this! We wanted you!”

Colquitt: He was just so great at how he managed people.

Johnny Holland (assistant coach): When I was with Green Bay in 1998, Andy told me our special teams coach was moving to coach wide receivers, and he said, “You should interview for the special teams job.” I was thinking, “No way man.” … He set up a camera in the meeting room and he would interview me … every day for three or four days in a row for the special teams job, just teaching me how to interview. “All right, they are going to ask you this and you need to say this.”

Sherman: You just never wanted to disappoint him.

Zombo: Andy Reid is a guy you play for. You just don’t work for Andy Reid.

Johnson: Something about Andy Reid is just different, and that’s why he’s one of the greatest.

Sherman: Absolutely loved playing for him.

(Photo: Michael Owens / Getty Images)

[foreboding]

Bills vs Chiefs is an end of game coin toss or we smack them down. They're close teams. 

 

They're better because... 3 sb... How do we get 5% better?

[Goin Breakdown]

Just wait and see what they do with all their money this year while we're dropping and letting go of ours. 
min a way I'm a little That some youth will be injected into this team, but I'm concerned that it'll be a down year in return. Im sick and tired of "maybe next year" and right now I'm already thinking " maybe in a couple years or so". 

[Success]

If KC had been missing their top 2 CB's, their top 2 LB's, their #2 WR, and 2-3 other key players - does anyone think they would have beaten the Bills in the divisional?

 

[BBFL]

3 hours ago, Success said:

If KC had been missing their top 2 CB's, their top 2 LB's, their #2 WR, and 2-3 other key players - does anyone think they would have beaten the Bills in the divisional?

 

If the Bills weren’t missing solely Bernard I don’t think they win. 
 

They didn’t have one of their LBs and didn’t have the dominant Tyreek Hill… Some bad execution and stalled out drives late in the game is what lost the Bills the game. Same for the 9ers. Chiefs don’t make mistakes when it’s all on the line, that irrespective of who’s on or off the field is tough to beat. 

[BillMafia716ix]

Well until we beat them when it counts they are. 

[MJS]

Actually, I agree. I don't think the Bills are clearly better at any position on offense or defense. Maybe linebacker, but KC has some really good, young linebackers too. Technically the Bills are better at receiver, I guess, but with Diggs fading and the rest being so inconsistent outside of Shakir, it is hard to really say too much good about the receivers. That's the weakest position on the team, on both teams, really.

 

What's really disheartening is the Chiefs have a bunch of cap space. They are going to be a lot better next year. The Bills will probably be able to manage to produce a similar team, so the gap will be larger. We HAVE TO hit on draft picks this year.

[Gregg]

Kansas City Chiefs on X: "We have signed Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to a contract extension. https://t.co/3lRY3jszlL" / X (twitter.com)

[Andy1]

 

[BuffaloBaumer]

Chiefs are going ALL IN to make history for a 3rd consecutive SB. Chris Jones already said he is staying and you know darn well that if it isn't Ayuk joing their WR corps, it's going to be someone else wanting to be a part of history. They will add another WR in the first 2 rounds and that offense is going to be humming again (along with a top D). Buffalo better nail this draft like no other to stay competitive with those guys. 

[Don Otreply]

It comes down to coaching and QB, Reid is better than McDermott on game day, and Mahomes makes more correct decisions on game day than Allen does, it really is that simple, both of our guys need to own this and learn from it, and implement the lessons.  Yeah it sucks but it’s the truth. 
 

 

[beebe]

On 2/13/2024 at 6:13 PM, Success said:

If KC had been missing their top 2 CB's, their top 2 LB's, their #2 WR, and 2-3 other key players - does anyone think they would have beaten the Bills in the divisional?

 

 

KC was down their top 2 safeties (Cook and Edwards) and a starting LB (Gay) vs the Bills. They lost their All-Pro left guard (Thuney) in the third quarter. Hard to lose a #2 wide receiver when every receiver on the roster besides Rice sucks. They were without Skyy Moore and Toney - two of their seven receivers on the team - and didn't have Jerick McKinnon, their best pass catcher out of the backfield. This year's Chiefs offense stunk.

 

They won a Super Bowl with a receiving corps of Rice, MVS, Watson, Hardman and Richie James, two god-awful tackles and a backup LG filling in for an All-Pro on offense, and a center who snapped worm burners into the turf all game. They can play another decade and not have a worse offense than they had this year.

Edited February 16 by beebe

[zow2]

1 minute ago, beebe said:

They won a Super Bowl with a receiving corps of Rice, MVS, Watson, Hardman and Richie James, two god-awful tackles and a backup LG filling in for an All-Pro on offense. They can play another decade and not have a worse offense than they had this year.

 

While your point is taken, don't leave Kelce out of the receivers mix.  He had a great playoffs.  The All world Coach, QB and TE has been critical to dynasties.

 

Belichek-Brady-Gronk

Reid- Mahomes-Kelce

 

McDermott-Allen-Kincaid/Knox?  where's our dynasty

[beebe]

Now that Mahomes has three Super Bowls in his pocket, a guy who was already motivated by legacy is now going to be consumed by it. When the Chiefs began their mini rebuild, 2022 and 2023 were supposed to be the lean years. Instead they won two Super Bowls. They always expected 2024-2026 to be the years where they'd take off. Now they're in very healthy shape cap wise. They should be able to retain most of their key parts. Bryan Cook and Charles Omenihu will return from injury to add to a defense that might only lose Willie Gay and a couple of reserves. The Chiefs' 1st round pick in 2023, DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, will get a ton of snaps after getting largely a developmental year as a rookie. Mahomes will restructure and save them a boat-load in the short-term. Pending UFA's are likely to choose the Chiefs over slightly better offers in hopes of chasing the threepeat (including Chris Jones, who publicly said he's coming back.) The Chiefs will have the money to pursue a top-tier WR and are likely to draft a receiver in the first round. Every assistant coach, including Spags, is coming back. They might be able to lure Bieniemy back in some sort of offensive assistant role. The 2024 Chiefs might be the best version of the Chiefs we've ever seen if they stay healthy. 

[SaulGoodman]

13 minutes ago, beebe said:

Now that Mahomes has three Super Bowls in his pocket, a guy who was already motivated by legacy is now going to be consumed by it. When the Chiefs began their mini rebuild, 2022 and 2023 were supposed to be the lean years. Instead they won two Super Bowls. They always expected 2024-2026 to be the years where they'd take off. Now they're in very healthy shape cap wise. They should be able to retain most of their key parts. Bryan Cook and Charles Omenihu will return from injury to add to a defense that might only lose Willie Gay and a couple of reserves. The Chiefs' 1st round pick in 2023, DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, will get a ton of snaps after getting largely a developmental year as a rookie. Mahomes will restructure and save them a boat-load in the short-term. Pending UFA's are likely to choose the Chiefs over slightly better offers in hopes of chasing the threepeat (including Chris Jones, who publicly said he's coming back.) The Chiefs will have the money to pursue a top-tier WR and are likely to draft a receiver in the first round. Every assistant coach, including Spags, is coming back. They might be able to lure Bieniemy back in some sort of offensive assistant role. The 2024 Chiefs might be the best version of the Chiefs we've ever seen if they stay healthy. 

As a KC fan, I have to say you know your stuff! Hard to disagree with anything you’re saying. 

[Success]

On 2/13/2024 at 10:30 AM, SaulGoodman said:

 

Basically every pundit said the Chiefs looked like the better team in that game. The only thing that kept it a one-score game was Hardman's goal line fumble. 

 

Ah yes - the goal line fumble.  The only mistake made in the game, apparently.

 

Well, except for the 60-yarder to Diggs that was on a rope & dropped, or the similar pass to Sherfield.  And the missed FG.  

 

I didn't hear "every pundit" say that the Chiefs looked like the better team.  That was a coin flip game.

 

 

Edited February 17 by Success

[SaulGoodman]

19 minutes ago, Success said:

 

Ah yes - the goal line fumble.  The only mistake made in the game, apparently.

 

Well, except for the 60-yarder to Diggs that was on a rope & dropped, or the similar pass to Sherfield.  And the missed FG.  

 

I didn't hear "every pundit" say that the Chiefs looked like the better team.  That was a coin flip game.

 

 

A mediocre kicker missing a 44-yard under major pressure isn’t a mistake. He was 2/5 in the playoffs. 
 

And you’re preaching to the choir about drops. If KC’s receivers hadn’t led the league in drops by a mile, that game wouldn’t have been played in Buffalo.

[Success]

16 minutes ago, SaulGoodman said:

A mediocre kicker missing a 44-yard under major pressure isn’t a mistake. He was 2/5 in the playoffs. 
 

And you’re preaching to the choir about drops. If KC’s receivers hadn’t led the league in drops by a mile, that game wouldn’t have been played in Buffalo.

 

But KC's receivers didn't have those drops against the Bills.  They uncharacteristically made spectacular catches, all game.

 

[beebe]

The Bills did a pretty good job of sustaining drives and maintaining possession in the playoff game vs the Chiefs. Buffalo faced 3rd or 4th down 17 times in the game, including: 

 

3rd-and-17

4th-and-1

3rd-and-8

3rd-and-8

3rd-and-12

3rd-and-10

4th-and-3

3rd-and-9

 

They converted 7-of-14 on 3rd down and 2-of-3 on 4th down. This was definitely an overachieve vs KC's defense and likely a bit lucky. The Bills also did a nice job of playing a fairly clean game offensively. The only offensive penalty of any substance was the illegal batting penalty after the Diggs fumble. Otherwise it was a pretty clean game. The turnover battle was technically won by the Bills 1-0. But it was really 0-0 for all intents and purposes. The Hamlin fake punt was essentially a turnover, and it was quickly offset by Hardman's fumble out of the end zone. Where the Bills did get a bit lucky is recovering both the Diggs fumble (opening drive) and the Allen fumble (final drive), which would have been a game-ender had KC dove on it rather than attempt a scoop-and-score. 

 

The Bills had about three good chances to make plays downfield but couldn't come up with any of them. This was probably the most alarming part of the game. In the history of the NFL, has a top-5 offense ever ran 78 plays and have NONE of them go 20+ yards? The biggest play of the game was an 18-yard Josh Allen run. No pass (of 39 attempted) went for a gain of more than 15 yards. As a result, the Bills went just 4.7 yards per play. In the regular season game vs the Chiefs, they went for just 4.5 yards per play (42 pass attempts), their 2nd worst output of the entire season. So two games vs KC, 151 plays (81 passes), 4.7 yards per play. The Bills definitely did well at "taking what the Chiefs gave them," but neither output was as impressive as people think, and the 3rd and 4th down conversion rate is likely unsustainable. 

[Success]

8 hours ago, beebe said:

 

KC was down their top 2 safeties (Cook and Edwards) and a starting LB (Gay) vs the Bills. They lost their All-Pro left guard (Thuney) in the third quarter. Hard to lose a #2 wide receiver when every receiver on the roster besides Rice sucks. They were without Skyy Moore and Toney - two of their seven receivers on the team - and didn't have Jerick McKinnon, their best pass catcher out of the backfield. This year's Chiefs offense stunk.

 

They won a Super Bowl with a receiving corps of Rice, MVS, Watson, Hardman and Richie James, two god-awful tackles and a backup LG filling in for an All-Pro on offense, and a center who snapped worm burners into the turf all game. They can play another decade and not have a worse offense than they had this year.

 

They were much healthier than the Bills heading into the game.  It's not really comparable.

 

[Dan in Owego]

3 hours ago, SaulGoodman said:

A mediocre kicker missing a 44-yard under major pressure isn’t a mistake. He was 2/5 in the playoffs. 
 

And you’re preaching to the choir about drops. If KC’s receivers hadn’t led the league in drops by a mile, that game wouldn’t have been played in Buffalo.

You have to come to the wrong place to complain about drops, been near the top for a while🙄

[90sBills]

3 hours ago, SaulGoodman said:

A mediocre kicker missing a 44-yard under major pressure isn’t a mistake. He was 2/5 in the playoffs. 
 

And you’re preaching to the choir about drops. If KC’s receivers hadn’t led the league in drops by a mile, that game wouldn’t have been played in Buffalo.

It’s crazy that KC won the Superbowl this year despite having a mediocre wr corp. KC already beat the Bills on the field so let us complain about our team. Trying to one up us in the ‘team’s shortcomings’ dept is overkill at this point don’t you think? lol 

[SaulGoodman]

2 hours ago, Success said:

 

But KC's receivers didn't have those drops against the Bills.  They uncharacteristically made spectacular catches, all game.

 

This is the kind of bogus narrative I’m talking about. There weren’t any spectacular catches by KC receivers in that game. 
 

People’s expectations for MVS were so low that just seeing him catch passes that hit him in the hands seemed spectacular. But the reality is his hands aren’t that bad. People fixate on a few costly plays.
 

Watson dropped an early pass that would have resulted in a first down. Rice had one of his least productive games in months. Hardman had the goal line fumble and another that was recovered. Mistakes were still made and nothing out of the ordinary happened. The difference was that Toney and Moore weren’t activated. 
 

By far the best catch in that game was Shakir’s in the end zone. 

[beebe]

10 hours ago, Success said:

 

They were much healthier than the Bills heading into the game.  It's not really comparable.

 

 

On what planet isn't it comparable? The Bills had almost every single player on offense available. All five starting offensive linemen, all their running backs, Josh Allen, all their tight ends, and every receiver except for Gabe Davis—and most of us think the offense has run better with Davis off the field. In fact, his absence helped Shakir get more snaps, and Shakir finished with a team-best 7 catches. So the Bills were down Davis on offense, while the Chiefs were down Toney (sucks), Moore (decent but mostly sucks), McKinnon (great weapon for KC) and lost Thuney (All Pro) in the third quarter. Nothing to really write home about for either team on offense. 

 

Defensively, after the first series, the Chiefs were without starting safety Mike Edwards and starting linebacker Willie Gay. They began the game without starting DT Derrick Nnadi. Their original starting safety Bryan Cook (Edwards is a backup) was injured a month earlier. 

 

Buffalo had its entire defensive line available to play. They had their two starting safeties Hyde and Poyer who played every snap. Taron Johnson, Rasul Douglas and Dane Jackson all played 100% of the snaps. Yes, the Bills lost Tre White early season—but his loss necessitated the trade for Douglas who gave them better play than White was giving them. So 9 to 10 of the Bills' defensive regulars on defense played to capacity, and 10 (arguably 11) of their best offensive players played. Buffalo had access to 19 or 20 of their 22 best players overall. If you read this forum, you'd think they played with about six healthy players.

 

The biggest loss was obviously Bernard, which led to Klein being on the field, who the Chiefs targeted repeatedly. But again, the collective absences - clustered as they were - weren't what many here make them out to be. The Bills began the week as 2.5 point favorites and finished the week as 2.5 point favorites. There is such a thing as building roster depth and developing young players who can perform when needed. 

 

If being without Terrel Bernard and a couple replacement level defensive backups is enough to tank your season, then you weren't very good to begin with. 

 

The Chiefs replaced DT Nnadi with a heavier dose of journeyman Mike Pennel (signed off the street midseason) and Matt Dickerson (undrafted, journeyman, practice squad regular); they gave Willie Gay's snaps to offseason signing Dru Tranquill (most snaps he had since Week 12) and LB Leo Chenal (3rd round pick in his second year.) They gave safety Edwards' snaps to fourth-round rookie Chamarri Conner, who played 99% of snaps and actually performed great. Thuney was replaced by Nick Allegretti, the try-hard backup who was a former 7th-round pick. Outside of Kelce and Rice, Mahomes was throwing balls to MVS, Noah Gray, Mecole Hardman, Justin Watson and Clyde Edwards. The degree of difficulty wasn't exactly high! It is without question the worst collection of offensive talent the Bills will face in the next several years when going against the Chiefs. And yet, the Chiefs offense did what the Chiefs offense did in prior playoff meetings vs the Bills — even when the Bills were fully healthy, even when the Bills had top-5 level defenses — they ran circles around them. 

Edited February 17 by beebe

[nucci]

KC has won 2 in a row and 3 of the last 5 Superbowls. Kinda makes them the better team.

[Cubanmist 1]

Actually, the Bills defense has got to be better and shut down KCs options at TE and WR.

[beebe]

21 minutes ago, Cubanmist 1 said:

Actually, the Bills defense has got to be better and shut down KCs options at TE and WR.

 

The fact is, Klein or no Klein, the Bills (like most teams) haven't been particularly good at slowing down Kelce. Milano was fully healthy for at least three previous iterations of Chiefs-Bills from 2020 thru 2022. No matter who the Bills put on him, he succeeded.

 

8 catches on 9 targets, 96 yards, TD

13 catches on 15 targets, 118 yards, two TDs

5 catches on 7 targets, 65 yards

6 catches on 10 targets, 57 yards, TD

8 catches on 10 targets, 108 yards

 

Kelce had the game-winner over Milano in the 13 seconds game and had 21 catches on 24 targets for 214 yards and three TDs in the 2020 and 2021 playoff games. 

 

This year, without Milano, Kelce had 6 catches on 10 targets for 83 yards in the regular season game and 5 catches (6 targets) for 75 yards and two TDs in the playoff game. 

Edited February 17 by beebe

[frostbitmic]

The Bills made the Chiefs. The Bills were on the clock and Mahomes was sitting there, the Bills traded the pick to the Chiefs, the Chiefs drafted Mahomes and the rest is history.

 

 

[CodeMonkey]

Cap situation what it is, we'll see how this comparison stands up next season.

1 hour ago, frostbitmic said:

The Bills made the Chiefs. The Bills were on the clock and Mahomes was sitting there, the Bills traded the pick to the Chiefs, the Chiefs drafted Mahomes and the rest is history.

 

 

Yeah, misses like that in the draft can hurt teams for many years.

[The 9 Isles]

Are they? 
 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3gDCRvPxxz/?igsh=b2JkcHFsdDNhaXR2

[SaulGoodman]

On 2/17/2024 at 8:22 AM, beebe said:

 

On what planet isn't it comparable? The Bills had almost every single player on offense available. All five starting offensive linemen, all their running backs, Josh Allen, all their tight ends, and every receiver except for Gabe Davis—and most of us think the offense has run better with Davis off the field. In fact, his absence helped Shakir get more snaps, and Shakir finished with a team-best 7 catches. So the Bills were down Davis on offense, while the Chiefs were down Toney (sucks), Moore (decent but mostly sucks), McKinnon (great weapon for KC) and lost Thuney (All Pro) in the third quarter. Nothing to really write home about for either team on offense. 

 

Defensively, after the first series, the Chiefs were without starting safety Mike Edwards and starting linebacker Willie Gay. They began the game without starting DT Derrick Nnadi. Their original starting safety Bryan Cook (Edwards is a backup) was injured a month earlier. 

 

Buffalo had its entire defensive line available to play. They had their two starting safeties Hyde and Poyer who played every snap. Taron Johnson, Rasul Douglas and Dane Jackson all played 100% of the snaps. Yes, the Bills lost Tre White early season—but his loss necessitated the trade for Douglas who gave them better play than White was giving them. So 9 to 10 of the Bills' defensive regulars on defense played to capacity, and 10 (arguably 11) of their best offensive players played. Buffalo had access to 19 or 20 of their 22 best players overall. If you read this forum, you'd think they played with about six healthy players.

 

The biggest loss was obviously Bernard, which led to Klein being on the field, who the Chiefs targeted repeatedly. But again, the collective absences - clustered as they were - weren't what many here make them out to be. The Bills began the week as 2.5 point favorites and finished the week as 2.5 point favorites. There is such a thing as building roster depth and developing young players who can perform when needed. 

 

If being without Terrel Bernard and a couple replacement level defensive backups is enough to tank your season, then you weren't very good to begin with. 

 

The Chiefs replaced DT Nnadi with a heavier dose of journeyman Mike Pennel (signed off the street midseason) and Matt Dickerson (undrafted, journeyman, practice squad regular); they gave Willie Gay's snaps to offseason signing Dru Tranquill (most snaps he had since Week 12) and LB Leo Chenal (3rd round pick in his second year.) They gave safety Edwards' snaps to fourth-round rookie Chamarri Conner, who played 99% of snaps and actually performed great. Thuney was replaced by Nick Allegretti, the try-hard backup who was a former 7th-round pick. Outside of Kelce and Rice, Mahomes was throwing balls to MVS, Noah Gray, Mecole Hardman, Justin Watson and Clyde Edwards. The degree of difficulty wasn't exactly high! It is without question the worst collection of offensive talent the Bills will face in the next several years when going against the Chiefs. And yet, the Chiefs offense did what the Chiefs offense did in prior playoff meetings vs the Bills — even when the Bills were fully healthy, even when the Bills had top-5 level defenses — they ran circles around them. 

 

Agreed. Bills would not have been 2.5 point favorites if they were as depleted as the fanbase claims. Like you said, Bernard was a pretty big loss and KC took advantage. Just like the Bills took advantage of bums like Sorenson and Niemann in the 13 seconds game, and DBs falling down or blowing assignments every other play. 

 

 

[Sweats]

On 2/17/2024 at 10:14 AM, Cubanmist 1 said:

Actually, the Bills defense has got to be better and shut down KCs options at TE and WR.

 

 

 

Good point.

KC doesn't have a whole of O weapons, however, what they do have are "ballers".....you shut down the main core of Kelce and Pacheco (i'm not even going to mention their WR's cause without Hill, i don't see them as much of a threat) and that team is a one man show with Mahomo. You take away the RPO, you take away the run game and you take away Kelce.....there's not much left after that.

 

The problem is, the fans see it, the players see it, the HC and FO see it and yet, we can never stop it. We can never seem to game plan around it.

 

#confusedashell