There’s a strange aura around this game. It’s almost like the Bills are favored. The Chiefs are historically bad at Ralph Wilson Stadium and despite their perfect record they’re coming in as underdogs, at least from Bills fans perspective. The Chiefs will lull you to sleep with a boring offense and suffocate you with a tremendous defense. The home crowd needs to stay fierce to keep the Bills fired up in this one.
After dissecting this match-up up I do like the Bills chances. The Chiefs are great in the areas the Bills struggle, it would take a near perfect game to steal this one.
Quarterback:
Alex Smith has pretty much come as advertised. Don’t put the game on his shoulder and he can be an efficient QB. Here are a few interesting stats, in 3 road games Smith has only thrown 2TD’s, all of his interceptions this season (4) have come in the second half and he has most of his success throwing to the middle of the field. In 4 games this season Smith has been without a passing TD. If Thad Lewis was a definite go, I would seriously consider giving this to the Bills, but his uncertainty favors KC. = Chiefs
Alex Smith: 169/286, 59%, 1,795 yards, 9TD/4INT, 82.1
Thad Lewis: 62/103, 60%, 652 yards, 3TD/2INT, 80.2
Running back:
Jamaal Charles is easily the best running back the Bills have faced this season. His ability to catch out of the backfield makes him the focal point of the Chiefs offense. Charles has had some big games vs the Bills just not lately. 2008; (rookie) 2/22 yards, 2009; 20/143 yards 1TD, 2010; 22/177 yards, 2011; 10/56 yards, 2012; 6/3 yards. Buffalo was able to contain Sproles in the passing game last week, I think they’re up to the task against the leagues 2nd ranked rusher. = Chiefs
Jamaal Charles: 153/635 yards, 4.2ypc, 6TD
Fred Jackson: 101/425 yards, 4.2ypc, 6TD
Wide Receivers/Tight ends:
The Chiefs are so conservative passing the ball it really takes the playmaking ability away from the receivers. Dwayne Bowe is being held to an average of 11.6 the lowest of his career, Donnie Avery hasn’t found the endzone since week 1 and collectively the team ranks 30th in yards per catch. = Bills
Steve Johnson: 33/387 yards, 3 TD
Donnie Avery: 24/374 yards, 1TD
Scott Chandler: 29/341 yards, 2TD
Dwayne Bowe: 26/302 yards, 2TD
Oline:
The Saints humbled the Bills Oline last week getting to Thad Lewis 4 times, but hitting him close to a dozen, they also closed in on the running game and kept Jackson at bay for the entire second half. The Chiefs are also among the leagues worst allowing 24 sacks. They faced their best pass rush of the season last week and Smith ended up on his back 6x. =Bills
Dline/LBers:
36 sacks. KC is the only team ahead of Buffalo in the sack department. They’re holding opposing QB’s to an avg. rating of 70! Crazy!? But wait, they’ve faced 4 back-up QB’s this season, Gabbert, Fitzpatrick, Keenum and Campbell. They are a force with 9 more sacks than the Bills, but we’re not comparing the same caliber opponents. = Bills
Kiko Alonso: 81 Tackles, 1 sack, 5TFL, 4INT, 1FF, 1FREC
Mario Williams: 21 Tackles, 11 sacks, 1TFL, 1FF
Justin Houston: 27 Tackles, 11 sacks, 2TFL, 1FF, 2FREC
Derrick Johnson: 61 Tackles, 3.5 sacks, 4TFL, 1FREC
Defensive backs:
The Chiefs is something special. Brandon Flowers, Eric Berry, Quintin Demps, Sean Smith and Marcus Cooper might be playing better than any group in football at this point. Combined they have 8 interceptions, and 38 passes defended. With the way Thad has been sailing the football there’s the potential to throw 4INT’s in this game. Buffalo has to be quick and accurate with the football, you don’t want to give these guys time to make a play on the football.= Chiefs
Brandon Flowers: 36 Tackles, 1INT, 4PD
Marcus Cooper: 15 Tackles, 2INT, 11PD
Aaron Williams: 46 Tackles, 3INT, 6PD
Leodis McKelvin: 32 Tackles, 9PD
Coaching:
Andy Reid is almost a lock for Coach of the Year in Week 8. The Chiefs will likely finish 11-5 behind the Bronco’s in the division, but he’s taken a 2-14 to a potential playoff birth. His vanilla offense relies completely on Jamaal Charles and stronger teams will eventually be able to take advantage. = Chiefs
Andy Reid: 138-93-1 (2-1 vs Buffalo, 24-31 Loss in 2011)
Doug Marrone: 3-5
