A lot of fans and pundits, say that the Divisional weekend is the best weekend of the NFL season. Match-ups like the Josh Allen led Buffalo Bills vs the Patrick Mahomes led Kansas City Chiefs is the exact reason why the Divisional round of the playoffs is viewed with such high regard.
Stephon Diggs watching the Chiefs celebrate making it to the Super Bowl (photo via Yahoo Sports)
Last season in the AFC Championship game, the Chiefs defeated the Bills, 38-24. In a game, where Kansas City took off in the second quarter, outscoring Buffalo, 21-3, and never looking back. Josh Allen completed 28 of his 48 passes, for 287 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Patrick Mahomes went 29 of 38 for 325 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bills were able to get some level of revenge when they faced the Chiefs in week 5 of this season. It feels like week 5 was a million years ago as Kansas City fell to 2-3 and everyone had "figured out how to stop them" by playing two high safeties and making Mahomes be patient in the passing game as their defense couldn't stop a refrigerator from running. Buffalo was 4-1 and looking like they were going to cruise through the regular season. Each team has adjusted, overcome adversity and grown since that game, which is why they are matching up now.
In the Wildcard round both Buffalo and Kansas City played very well. The Bills destroyed the Patriots, 47-17, scoring a touchdown on every drive except that last of the game, where they ran the clock out. The Chiefs started off slowly against the Steelers then exploded to go on a 35-0 run and won the game, 42-21. Both teams come into this game at the top of their game.
How do the Bills win this game?
Bills Quarterback, Josh Allen, and Head Coach, Sean McDermott (Photo courtesy of NBC Sports)
Be Aggressive , B-E Aggressive
In their playoff match-up last season. The Bills were able to move the ball up and down the field but had to settle for field goals to many times against the high powered offense of Kansas City. Kansas City eventually started scoring touchdowns and won the game. Buffalo's defense is better this year but the Bills should not go into this match-up expecting to slow down Mahomes and company. So, on 4th n short situations when in the opponents territory, the Bills should use Josh Allen's mobility to keep drives going and score touchdowns and only settle for field goals when absolutely necessary.
Tame The Cheetah
The Kansas City Chiefs are a very different team when Tyreek Hill is able to stretch the field. In their twelve wins during the regular season, Hill averaged 12.1 yards per catch, 84.8 receiving yards per game and had nine receiving touchdowns. In their 5 losses during the regular season, Hill averaged 8.2 yards per catch, 44.4 receiving yards per game and had zero receiving touchdowns. If the Bills are able to slow down the super speedy receiver, they will hinder the Chiefs offense in a major way.
Be Superman
The title of this article is, "Will The Real Superman Please Stand Up". The reason I went with that title is that we have a quarterback match-up of superheroes with Josh Allen going against Patrick Mahomes. Allen unleashed all of his powers against the Patriots completing 21 of his 25 passes for 308 yards, and five touchdowns, while also running for 66 yards. Allen was able to overwhelm New England with is his size, speed, and skill. The Bills should not expect a repeat performance but Allen can't be human in this one. He has to be superhero or super villain depending on who you are rooting for.
How does Kansas City win this game?
Chiefs Head Coach, Andy Reid, and Chiefs Quarterback, Patrick Mahomes (Photo provided by Arrowhead Addict)
The New Weapon
The Chiefs have been able to use their pass catchers in many different ways during the Andy Reid era. Reid and the offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy , have always found ways to get their talented pass catchers in space. In the Wildcard match-up against Pittsburgh, the Chiefs were able to use a new weapon in an interesting way. Jerick McKinnon had 12 carries for 61 yards along with six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. McKinnon could be the key in this match-up, especially if the Bills double Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. McKinnon could be the hero the Chiefs didn't know they needed.
Tie Up The Knox
In the regular season, match-up between these two squads, Bills tight end, Dawson Knox had three catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. The Bills have a plethora of weapons for Allen to throw to with the likes of Stephon Diggs, Cole Beasley, and Gabriel Davis. If Knox is causing the Kansas City defense issues, there will be nothing but open targets all over the field for Allen to throw to and you could see a 40 point performance from the Bills offense.
And Still....
In boxing, when there is a championship match, if the match goes to a decision, when announcing the winner the announcer always says, "And......" . He or she takes a dramatic pause as you wait for them to say "And Still" or "And New". If the champion won and defended his belt, you would hear, "And....Still heavyweight champion of the world!!"
This is the equivalent of a heavyweight championship match at quarterback. Patrick Mahomes currently holds the title as the best superhero like quarterback in the league because of the crazy unhuman plays he can make. Josh Allen is one of the few players who could challenge him for this title. Mahomes needs to play well and make some of those plays that make fans drop their jaws. There is an also a balance needed.
If a boxer always goes for the knockout and throws haymakers the whole fight. He will get tired and make mistakes which could lead to him getting knocked out. If Mahomes goes with haymakers trying to keep up with Josh Allen, this could lead to turnovers and the Chiefs being knocked out of the playoffs.
Prediction
This will be an epic game of momentum changes and make you scream out loud plays. The difference in this one will be the maturity along with the uncanny ability of Josh Allen. Allen will lead the Bills to the win over the Chiefs. The final score will be Buffalo 31- Kansas City 28.