KC Chiefs: Four things to watch vs the Bills in AFC Championship Game

Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) – Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

KC Chiefs – Setting Up the Play Action

This is a game starring two top-five play-action teams but neither team has a top 15 rushing attack. Allen has the second most play-action attempts as well as the most passing yards on play-action plays. This has been odd, as the Bills are ranked 20th in the NFL in rushing offense. It is so critical that the Chiefs’ corners are healthy and can play against a high passing offense.

The Chiefs are very similar as Mahomes has the fifth most play-action attempts with the 10th most yardage. This one makes more sense with dynamic playmakers like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.

The Chiefs are only ranked 17th in the NFL but their jet sweeps and other receiver runs can be the difference in a drive going for points. Mahomes can fake to Hill, Mecole Hardman, or any of the running backs, which is why they do it so often, but the run game must be effective for the play-action to work properly.

Both teams are mediocre in the run and in run defense which could mean either team, both teams, or neither team could be successful. The Bills proved last week that they can slow down a high-powered rushing attack as they held Lamar Jackson to a fraction of his averages. The Chiefs were successful on the ground in week 6 against the Bills so hopefully, they can pull it off again. If Edwards-Helaire or Williams can have a 100-yard game then the Chiefs will be able to control this game.

KC Chiefs – High Powered Offense vs High Powered Offense

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Now that Mahomes has been cleared, I am excited to see which top offense will outscore the other. The Bills have been a hot offense, as Diggs was a top receiver and Allen was in the MVP conversation.

In both playoff games, Diggs had a touchdown and over 100 receiving yards. He will be a primary target of the Chiefs’ defensive backs. Allen may have had a quiet game against the Ravens, but still put up multiple touchdowns and over 300 yards passing against the Colts.

As stated before, the weakness for Buffalo is their run game so the Chiefs will focus on stopping the pass. The Bills are also a quick score offense, so the Chiefs can’t fall behind like last year.

The Chiefs’ offense will be just as troublesome for the Bills’ defense. The Chiefs have the No. 1 passing offense in the NFL, which is no surprise with the number of weapons on this team. This offense can have an explosive play at any time and in any way. Their run game might be middle of the pack and inconsistent but jet sweeps to Hill and Hardman can break for double-digit yards.

That’s the problem defending against the Chiefs – Defenses can’t focus on one man and eliminate the big plays because it can come from anywhere.