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3 Matchups to Watch in Chiefs vs. Bills in Week 11

By Joseph Grassano

Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Quintin Morris (85) pulls on the face mask of Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) as he moves in to tackle Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Quintin Morris (85) pulls on the face mask of Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) as he moves in to tackle Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images / Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Orchard Park to take on the Buffalo Bills at 3:25 CT on Sunday in Week 11.

Over the past few seasons, these two teams have had super competitive games. While the Chiefs have the upper hand in the playoffs, the Bills possess a 3-1 record against them in the regular season.

Coincidentally though, the one regular season game Buffalo lost to Kansas City in recent years was a Bills home game. That sets up an even more interesting dynamic on Sunday.

Given how heated this rivalry has become, each team will be motivated to come out victorious. With that in mind, here are three matchups to watch in Sunday's game.

1. James Cook vs. Chiefs Run Defense

James Cook and the Bills' running game has been key to the teams' success this season. Through eight games, Cook has 128 carries for 576 yards, eight touchdowns, and averages 4.5 yards a carry. Cook's effectiveness on the ground has taken the pressure off of Josh Allen and allowed the team to be more balanced.

In three career games against the Chiefs, Cook has 30 carries for 127 yards and an average of 4.2 yards a carry. His best outing against the Chiefs was last year in the divisional round of the playoffs when he had 18 carries for 61 yards. The Bills ended that playoff matchup with 182 total team rushing yards.

Despite Cook's success this season and in last year's playoff game, this could potentially be a tough matchup. Currently, the Chiefs have the third-best rush defense, allowing only 749 yards and an average of 3.6 yards a carry.

That's nearly a full yard less than what Cook has been averaging this season. If the Chiefs are able to bottle Cook up like that on Sunday, it'll put the pressure back on Allen and what looks to be an injured wide receiving corps.

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