Chiefs’ scouting report: Bills have been excellent after bye week under Sean McDermott
Entering the 2023 season, the Bills were seen by most as a playoff contender and some pundits believed Buffalo would finally win its first Super Bowl championship.
But as the number of shopping days before Christmas dwindles, the Bills find themselves sitting 10th in the AFC standings. Here’s the thing about Buffalo: It has a 6-6 record but has the fifth-ranked scoring offense and scoring defense.
The Bills have a .500 record but their expected record based on scoring is 8.5-3.5, per Pro Football Reference. The six losses have been by a combined 26 points, and four of their six victories have been by 20 or more points.
“The encouraging thing is all the goals that we’ve set for ourselves are still within our reach. ... Obviously we have some adjustments we need to make,” coach Sean McDermott told reporters last week. “When you look at overall with the games we have lost, they’ve been either turnover based or one score based on the defensive side getting off the field and then obviously special teams is baked into all that.”
This game will be big for both teams as the Chiefs will try to rebound from Sunday’s loss in Green Bay and strengthen their position in the AFC playoff field.
Each week, I take an early look at the Chiefs’ next opponent, and here is a quick scouting report of the Bills. Kickoff is at 3:25 p.m. Sunday, and the game will air on KCTV (Ch. 5).
1. Post bye success
Buffalo will come to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium off its bye week, and historically that’s been a good thing for the Bills.
McDermott was once an assistant under Chiefs coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia, and like his former boss, McDermott has had his teams ready to play after a week off. The Bills are 6-0 following a bye week during McDermott’s time as head coach.
If that streak ends with a loss in KC, it could jeopardize another Bills streak: they’ve made the playoffs in four straight seasons.
2. Pick plays
Quarterback Josh Allen has had an up-and-down season, but he’s still thrown for 3,214 yards and 24 touchdowns. Unfortunately for Allen, he also is second in the NFL in interceptions (13), including one in each of the last eight games.
The Bills have won by a combined score of 86-30 in the two games in which Allen has not thrown an interception.
Allen is coming off one of his best games of the season. In a 37-34 overtime loss at Philadelphia, Allen had 339 passing yards, with two touchdown throws. He also rushed for 81 yards and two scores.
However. .. he also threw an interception in the fourth quarter with Buffalo leading by three points.
3. Diggs is still a star
Reports of a rift between wide receiver Stefon Diggs and Allen have been circulating before the season started, but the duo remains a headache for opposing defenses.
Diggs leads the Bills in receptions (83), receiving yards (969) and touchdown catches (eight).
Dawson Knox, who caught the winning touchdown in the Bills’ victory last season over the Chiefs, had wrist surgery in October. McDermott said he was “hopeful but not certain” Knox could return after the bye, per the Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia.
Fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid is second on the Bills with 56 receptions.
Buffalo’s offense is ranked first in third-down conversions (49.7%) and 47 of those 77 first downs have come on catches by Diggs. The Bills also are second in percentage of red-zone trips resulting in a touchdown (67.4%).
The Bills’ rushing attack ranks 10th in the NFL (122.3 yards per game) and they piled up 173 yards on the ground against the Eagles.
4. Floyd peppers QBs
Defensive end Leonard Floyd has been disrupting opposing offenses all season. He has a team-best 9 1/2 sacks and 17 quarterback hits. He also has forced a fumble and collected seven tackles for loss.
Buffalo is second in the NFL with 41 sacks and they are tied for third with 85 quarterback hits. A.J. Epenesa has 6 1/2 sacks for the Bills, while Ed Oliver has six.
The Bills have intercepted 11 passes, which is tied for 10th-most in the NFL.
5. Von Miller status
Chiefs fans know linebacker Von Miller well because of his long tenure with the Denver Broncos. Miller, who has just two tackles in eight games this season, finds himself in legal trouble.
ESPN said Miller turned himself in Thursday to police in Glenn Heights, Texas, after an arrest warrant was issued for allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman.
The alleged victim has since said no one was assaulted, per Sports Illustrated. Will Miller play Sunday? NBC Sports said the NFL is not expected to place Miller on paid leave unless he is formally charged by police.
