The Chiefs struggled in the AFC clash against Buffalo, the defense failed to get pressure on Josh Allen and the offense wasn’t consistent when it mattered most. Here is what stood out in the second loss of the season for Kansas City.
In the Kansas City Chiefs loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, a few things were noticeable.
On the offensive side of the ball, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Travis Kelce piled up more than 100 yards receiving each, with JuJu going for 113 and Travis Kelce getting 108. However, facing one of the best defenses in the league was not easy, the Bills were able to get pressure on Patrick Mahomes more than most teams this season. The offensive line for Kansas City hasn’t been great, especially both offensive tackles, but Mahomes was still able to make plays to get them in spots to win the game.
Meanwhile, on the defensive side, Chris Jones has been used quite a lot by Steve Spagnuolo, playing 96% of the snaps last Sunday. The Chiefs’ defensive line was not good as well, the Bills were able to get 125 yards on the ground while only sacking Josh Allen once. The defensive line needs to be better and they know it, the Chiefs seem to be on the look for a defensive lineman, possibly in a trade at the deadline.
In this AFC rematch, a lot of emotions were at stake, especially from the Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs played a solid game, except for an ugly interception by Patrick Mahomes at the very end of the game in a desperate move to win. With all that being said, what stood out on Sunday?
Harrison Butker is Back
The Chiefs have been without their Pro Bowl kicker for the past five weeks, and the team finally felt like they were able to kick last Sunday. Kickers are often unsung heroes, but when you lose a good one like Butker, you really feel how valuable they are.
After last year’s AFC divisional game with the 13-second drama, the Chiefs only needed just 12 seconds to set up a game-tying field goal to end the first half. And in doing that, Butker kicked a franchise record-breaking 62-yard field goal.
Butker was also inconsistent, missing a chip shot 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter which could have possibly put the Chiefs ahead. Butker has been a sight for sore eyes though, as the Chiefs had missed seven field goals this season in his absence.
The Running Back Group Needs to Find a Leader
The Chiefs’ running back room has been weird all year, Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been either really good or non-existent, Jerrick McKinnon has been getting the most snaps for yet another week, and Isiah Pachecho has been playing hard. It’s time for a change at the running back position, and it has to be Isiah Pacheco.
Pacheco has been playing really hard since he started getting snaps, he runs downhill like the defense said something bad about his mother. Pacheco needs to start because he has been playing a lot faster and better than the other running backs. The Chiefs don’t like to play rookies on offense, but it’s time to move Pacheco into the starting lineup.
It Looks Like Chris Jones Needs Some Help…
Chris Jones has been the stalwart of the defense over the past five seasons and has been playing consistent football, Jones played 96% of the snaps on the defense this season. The star defensive tackle will need a hand, rookie George Karlaftis has been very consistent at getting pressure but hasn’t been able to get home on sacks yet. Frank Clark and Mike Danna have been inconsistent and the Chiefs are without Tershawn Wharton.
The Chiefs might be in place to make a move for more defensive talent, the Chiefs restructured Travis Kelce’s contract to possibly make cap space for a possible trade. The Chiefs’ defense would need an edge rusher and they have the draft capital and cap space to do so.
The Chiefs are in need of a defensive presence on the edge and don’t be surprised if they make a move to help fix the defensive line before the trade deadline on November 1st. With only 11 sacks in 6 games, the Chiefs’ defense needs to find someone to step up or they need to make the move for a new face on defense.
Even though the Chiefs have some holes to fix, they seem to be moving in the right direction in fixing most of them. With a tough matchup against the Niners on the horizon, the Chiefs are now ready to take on the challenge.
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