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Kansas City Chiefs: Ranking the 5 toughest defenses on the Chiefs’ 2021 schedule

By Jacob Milham

Aug 14, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) stands at the line against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) stands at the line against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2021; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) is tackled by Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) during the second quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2021; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) is tackled by Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) during the second quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

The Buffalo Bills look to be a huge threat to the Chiefs for the AFC Championship. Will a Week 5 matchup prove to be the Chiefs’ downfall?

While the Bills’ offense may be better than its defense, the Bills secondary can and has slowed the Chiefs down.

For one quarter at least.

Kansas City fans were worried after the first quarter of the 2021 AFC Championship game, where the Chiefs were shut out and trailing 9-0. That deficit was quickly erased behind a 21-point second quarter and ultimately, the Chiefs won 38-24.

The key to slowing down the Chiefs is locking down the passing game and generating pressure; look no further than Super Bowl 55.

The Bills failed to do that in both the postseason and regular season. One stat to look at appeared during the two teams’ regular season matchup, a 26-17 Chiefs win. The Bills held Kansas City to 221 passing yards, nearly 90 yards below the Chiefs’ average performance. The two games proved, with statistical and scoring differences, that they can limit the Chiefs through the air and keep the game close when they do that.

Is the Bills’ secondary up to the task in 2021?

History shows they have a fighting chance. Safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are one of the leagues best twosomes, both ranking in the top 15 of PFF’s WAR. Also, with both Hyde and Poyer on the field, they have allowed on 67 receptions of 20+ yards in four years.

That accounts for the league’s lowest number, according to PFF.

Do not look past the underrated cornerback Tre’Davious White, PFF’s seventh best cornerback in the league in 2020.

The area that holds the Bills back is their defensive line.

Like the Chiefs, Buffalo has invested heavily in developing their pass rush, adding A.J. Epenesa, Gregory Rousseau and Carlos Basham Jr. to pair with Ed Oliver. Oliver had the worst season of his career in 2020. If he can bounce back and bring the youth movement to the defensive line, the Buffalo defensive unit can become as scary as their offensive counterpart.

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