Causes for concern as the Bills face the Chiefs in Week 11

Causes for concern as the Bills face the Chiefs in Week 11

The Buffalo Bills will host the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium in Week 11.

The Bills (8-2) and Chiefs (9-0) are the top two seeds in the AFC currently. The second-place Bills are riding a five-game win streak while the top-seeded Chiefs haven’t lost since Christmas Day in 2023.

Even though Buffalo is favored to win the game, there are always a few things that make winning difficult each week. The Bills will need to be wary of them.

Here are three causes for concern for the Bills in Week 11:

Chris Jones is a disrupter

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Chris Jones continues to be a menace on the defensive line for the Chiefs in his ninth season. His specialty is getting after the passer. Pro Football Focus grades him as the best pass rusher of all interior defenders in the NFL, with a pass rush grade of 90.8.

They don’t just use him in the interior, either. He bounces around the defensive line and can take advantage of mismatches wherever they see fit. If the Bills are without right tackle Spencer Brown, Jones could be even more of a problem for quarterback Josh Allen and the offense.

Time of possession

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The Chiefs average the most time of possession per game in the NFL. Their average of just over 33 minutes of possession per game means they possess the ball about six minutes longer then their opponent. Allen is right up there with Patrick Mahomes as far as quarterback talent, but if Allen has the ball six minutes less than Mahomes, it will make it hard to bring down the undefeated, reigning champs.

If the Bills defense can’t get the Chiefs off the field, then it will play into exactly how the Chiefs have been winning games this year. They’ve had long drives on offense and on defense they have held their opponents to 17.9 points per game (T-5th in the NFL).

Babich’s first go-round with KC

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This will be a big game for first-year defensive play caller Bobby Babich. It will be his first time calling plays against Andy Reid and the Chiefs offense. Babich has had an excellent first year as defensive coordinator, but he has struggled against some of the league’s better offenses like the Baltimore Ravens.

This will be a big stepping stone in his young career. If his defense is flying around and making plays against Mahomes, then it is a huge win for the Bills going forward. If the Bills struggle with some of the creativity that is usually seen from a Reid offense, then it could be a long day for Buffalo.

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Chiefs’ All-Pro defender Chris Jones loves Buffalo for the food (video)

Chiefs’ All-Pro defender Chris Jones loves Buffalo for the food (video)

Whenever the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs do battle in recent years, being the home team is probably what everyone in both locker rooms want.

Two talented teams, two All-Star QBs, two rabid fan bases, and one massive matchup when it comes to the standings.

But one player for the Chiefs (9-0) has revealed he… actually does not mind facing the Bills (8-2) on the road. It comes down to one thing: Food.

Prior to heading to Buffalo for the Week 11 clash, the All-Pro defensive tackle mentioned that he loves heading to western New York so he can stock up on food… chicken wings, specifically. Jones said he might order up to 50 when he’s in town.

Kudos, Chris.

Jones on Buffalo and their delacies can be found in the clip below:

Bills vs. Chiefs: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 11

Bills vs. Chiefs: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 11

The Buffalo Bills will host the Kansas City Chiefs in their upcoming Week 11 matchup.

Even though these two teams are extremely familiar with one another, it will still be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Chiefs contest:

Bills running backs vs. Chiefs front seven

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The Bills have enjoyed a resurgence in their running game this year. James Cook has had 80 or more rushing yards in three of his last five games, and he has five rushing touchdowns over that stretch. Buffalo has found a true complement to Josh Allen’s passing game. But, rushing yards should be tougher to come by this week.

The Chiefs allow the third-fewest rushing yards per game this year (83.2). And, advanced metrics back up their play, too. Kansas City ranks second in the NFL in defense rushing DVOA.

Whoever wins this matchup will play a big role in the game. If the Bills can run the ball effectively, it will open up anything they want to do on offense. If they can’t, they’ll have to rely on the arm and legs of Allen.

DE Greg Rousseau vs. LT Wanya Morris

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Kansas City’s left tackle has had his struggles this year, and he’s coming off a knee injury in Week 10. Rousseau, on the other hand, is having his best season as a pro.

Morris ranks as the 62nd-best offensive tackle in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus, while Rousseau grades as the eighth-best pass rusher among edge defenders.

Rousseau has just 5.5 sacks through ten games, but he has been consistently getting after the passer. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 19 QB knockdowns and is tied for 10th in the NFL with 22 pressures.

Patrick Mahomes vs. the second level of Bills’ D

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The Chiefs quarterback loves to get the ball out quickly in head coach Andy Reid’s offense. They put a lot of trust in their skill players to catch underneath passes and produce yards after the catch. In turn, this puts a lot of stress on Bills defenders to make plays in space.

More specifically, Buffalo’s linebackers (and slot corner Taron Johnson) will have their hands full while trying to stop the run, cover the pass, and make sound tackles in space.

When these teams met in the divisional round of last season’s playoffs, the Bills were without Terrel Bernard in the middle of the defense. They had trouble on defense in that game, so we will see what kind of difference Bernard can make in this rivalry.

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Chiefs DT Chris Jones responds to Travis Kelce’s hilarious viral stunt: ‘Caught me slipping’

Kansas City #Chiefs DT Chris Jones responds to Travis Kelce’s hilarious viral stunt: ‘Caught me slipping’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Chris Jones has never avoided the tough questions throughout his career without patience and a level head. However, he felt more than eager to respond emotionally to reporters on Thursday regarding the viral stunt he fell victim to from teammate Travis Kelce.

“Hey, listen, imma say this right now. I have dunked on Travis (Kelce) so many times. All of a sudden, y’all come to town. Travis caught me slipping. “Okay, we’ve got to be selective with what we’re posting collectively for the Chiefs,” Jones said, holding back laughter from the crowd of reporters. “Okay, we can’t post that. Why? Who posted it? Why? Why? What was you trying to prove that? Okay, you can’t post it. You didn’t even give me consent.”

The video showing Kelce simulating a dunk over Jones is another example of the solid camaraderie they have maintained in the locker room throughout their years as teammates.

https://youtube.com/shorts/U2JNsZJ4sI8?si=y7A4np1PPFRgTczp

“I’ve caught Travis slipping so many times, and I was at La La Land, and I was looking for him. I’m like, Where the hell is he at?” said Jones. “Because he always tried to sneak up and duck on me. I didn’t get him a couple of times, and I couldn’t find him yesterday. I’m looking around; about the time I turned around, all I see is 87 (Travis Kelce) jumping on my head; last two days, No ‘Diddy.'”

Jones will seek revenge, and a camera crew is ready to capture it all and tie things up with Kelce on pranks.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce pulls hilarious stunt with Chris Jones at practice

#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce pulled a hilarious prank on Chris Jones during Kansas City’s practice session on Wednesday.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is a known prankster, and managed to make waves at practice on Wednesday by joking around with veteran defensive lineman Chris Jones.

While the team was preparing for their highly anticipated Week 11 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Kelce ran up to Jones and did an NBA-style slam dunk move that knocked the long-tenured sack master to the ground.

Before he helped Jones back to his feet, Kelce did a signature victory dance for everyone who was watching the horseplay in Kansas City’s indoor practice facility.

FOX 4 KC sports anchor Harold R. Kuntz posted a video of Kelce’s stunt to Twitter.

Take a look:

 

Kelce’s rough show of brotherly love with Jones appeared to go over well with their teammates, who seemed to get a kick from the All-Pro tight end’s antics.

Expect to see Kelce and Jones channel their rambunctious energy to help the Chiefs defeat Buffalo on Sunday.

Chiefs DT Chris Jones sees similarities in Bo Nix to Pro Bowl AFC rival quarterback: ‘He’s very comparable’

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones sees similarities in Bo Nix to Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen: ‘He’s very comparable’ | @EdEastonJr

All-Pro Chris Jones has battled and sacked some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs’ undefeated start has featured many starting quarterbacks, but they will face off with a rookie in the Denver Broncos’ Bo Nix for the first time this Sunday.

Jones spoke to the media on Thursday for his weekly press conference, discussing Nix and comparing his abilities to Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen.

“It’s similar to Josh Allen. I don’t think he has, like, the big play moments of Josh Allen, but he’s very comparable in a lot of things he does and the scheme they’re running with him,” said Jones. “whether it’s getting him in the open field, keeping the ball in his hands on certain downs and distance, giving him the ability to play with instinct. So, I think it’s for us to prepare, making sure we’re able to keep him in the pocket and then get after him.”

Nix was selected 12th overall in this year’s NFL Draft, and the Broncos view him as the future franchise quarterback. The Chiefs will get their first look at Nix, who makes his first start at Arrowhead Stadium, coming in with eight passing touchdowns, six interceptions, and four rushing touchdowns this season.

Is T.J. Watt’s dominant start foreshadowing another D.P.O.Y award?

T.J. Watt’s 2024 campaign showcases dominance, aiming for his second D.P.O.Y. award with elite performances in his 8 games played.

T.J. Watt continues to prove week in and week out that he is a force to be reckoned with for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether he is sacking the quarterback, forcing a fumble, or stuffing the run, one thing remains certain—Watt is inevitable.

Watt’s 2024 resume speaks for itself. Through 8 games played, his four forced fumbles are tied for first, his ten tackles for loss are tied for second, his nine QB hits are tied for fifth, and his six and a half sacks are tied for ninth.

The former 2021 D.P.O.Y. winner is looking to build on this fantastic statistical output and put together an undeniable campaign to win the illustrious award for a second time.

DraftKings currently has Watt as the odds-on favorite to win the award through nine weeks, ahead of elite defenders such as Kansas City Chiefs’ DT Chris Jones, New York Giants’ DT Dexter Lawrence, Houston Texans’ EDGE Will Anderson Jr., and Detroit Lions Safety Kerby Joseph.

Can Watt achieve his second D.P.O.Y. award in 2024, or will his efforts result in him being snubbed once again?

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Chiefs veteran extends olive branch to Bills fans with hot take on Buffalo wings

#Chiefs DL Chris Jones may have helped squash the #Bills’ beef with Kansas City after making a comment about Buffalo wings on Twitter.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills have developed an impressive rivalry in the Patrick Mahomes-Josh Allen era, and with a Week 11 matchup between the AFC powerhouses on the horizon, tensions between the teams may hit a fever pitch in November.

But Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones isn’t letting Kansas City’s competition with the Bills get the best of him.

When word spread that Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith had trashed Buffalo’s famous hot chicken wings, Jones took to Twitter to voice his opinion on upstate New York’s culinary merit.

Check out what Jones had to say about Smith’s comments:

 

Though Jones won’t let his affinity for Bar-Bill wings stand in the way of a dominant showing against the Bills in Week 11, this gesture of good-faith gastronomical analysis is sure to endear him to fans in Buffalo, even if only temporarily.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid praises All-Pro player’s run defense: ‘It helps everybody’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid praises All-Pro Chris Jones’ run defense: ‘It helps everybody’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to the media on Monday for his weekly Zoom press conference. He expressed his appreciation for the work All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones has done against the run.

“We understand that if you take care of business up front, it helps everybody. Chris Jones not only did it in the pass game but he did it in the run game,” said Reid. “People always say, ‘Wow, how is he in the run (game)?’ Well, he’s making tackles behind the line of scrimmage here, so that’s a positive thing.”

The Chiefs, entering Week 9, have the second-best defense against the run, holding teams to 576 yards, second to only the Baltimore Ravens.

“For us, being able to stop the run, that’s the primary goal every single week,” said Karlaftis during Sunday’s postgame press conference. “As the front seven as a defense, you know, we keep them, we make them one dimensional; that’s what we want to be.”

The ongoing dominance from defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s group has contributed heavily to Kansas City’s undefeated start to the season. The recent addition of Joshua Uche from Monday’s trade with the New England Patriots will only strengthen the unit for the postseason run.

Ex-Patriots HC Bill Belichick weighs in on Chiefs’ trade for Joshua Uche

See what former #Patriots HC Bill Belichick had to say about the #Chiefs’ trade with New England for pass-rusher Joshua Uche.

The Kansas City Chiefs acquired linebacker Joshua Uche from the New England Patriots in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Monday, and legendary head coach Bill Belichick was quick to share his thoughts about his former team’s latest deal on the ‘Pat McAfee Show.’

In his remarks, Belichick seemed to imply that he thought the sixth-round pick that the Patriots received for Uche constituted a relatively minimal return for New England given his status as a more-than-capable pass-rusher.

In adding Uche to their defense, the Chiefs have secured a young contributor who could become a spark plug for star lineman Chris Jones and budding defensive end George Karlaftis.

Listen to Belichick’s full remarks on the trade in this clip, which was posted to Twitter by the ‘Pat McAfee Show’:

 

Stay tuned to see if Uche can make an impact for Kansas City when he makes his Chiefs debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 9.