Image via Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports
By Lucas Kochevar The Buffalo Bills offense has been among the league’s most threatening with Josh Allen at the helm. Dating back to Brian Daboll leaving, the Bills have had a bumpy road in creating consistent production on a down-to-down basis. They hired former quarterback Ken Dorsey to run the offense and he did so with limited success. The success was few and far between this season as he was fired after week 10 when the Bills fell to 5-5. Notable coordinator Joe Brady took over the offense and hasn’t looked back. Josh Allen shares part of the blame with his blatant turnover problems in the early part of the season, but since Brady took over, He’s scaled back his turnover-worthy plays. He’s still chaotic and out of control, but this controlled chaos is what makes Josh Allen, Josh Allen. Another key piece of the Bills rejuvenation is the involvement of running back James Cook. Cook is being used exactly as I thought he should coming out of Georgia. He can handle the workload running the ball and he’s a weapon in the passing game. He’s been paramount in changing how the Bills call an offense. The Bills offense has been known for their lack of run game in the past. They’ve had an unwillingness to run the ball for years and they would fall into a pass-happy attack that would put so much pressure on Allen and the passing attack. The Bills rank fifth in rushing yards and it’s been a product of their willingness to run that ball, even when it isn’t super successful. The Bills have incorporated more under center plays and different looks other than just shotgun runs. I was watching the film when Buffalo played the Chiefs, where Buffalo won after the crazy offsides lateral play. Something I noticed was Buffalo’s ability to draw the eyes of the Kansas City linebackers. The Bills ran the ball into multiple big boxes for a couple yards, but each time was to keep the Chiefs honest. The Bills draw these looks from Kansas City and this is when Cook will leak out of the backfield and either catch the ball or throw off the linebackers for an open tight end over the middle. The Bills ability to really throw different looks at the defense really adds the dimension that has held back the team. Although they’ll always be pass-first with Allen, the run game is critical to their success heading into the playoff matchup against the Chiefs. These two teams have met so many times already over the years. It feels like the new era Brady-Manning rivalry between Mahomes-Allen. The unique part about this meeting is it’s the first time Mahomes has traveled to Buffalo with fans in the stands and it's also his first road playoff game. Mahomes played at Buffalo during the pandemic season and it’ll be interesting to see how the crowd plays a factor. The offense is the focus in the game, but the defenses are more than likely the key to winning. The Chiefs defense won the game last week by shutting down the Dolphins. The Buffalo defense has been great in their own right as the defensive line and secondary have been great. The Bills linebacker group will have to pull together as they keep losing players due to injury. They’ll be key in slowing down Isiah Pacheco, who didn’t play in their first matchup. The deciding factor of this game will be whether or not Josh Allen turns the ball over. The Bills can’t afford to give Mahomes easy opportunities to score as he’s started to find that chemistry with Rashee Rice. Buffalo has been the better team since these two teams last met and if they maintain this style of football on offense, I think they can keep pressure on Mahomes to keep up with them. I really like this version of Buffalo and they have a chance at the Super Bowl if they overcome their biggest obstacle, Mahomes.
1 Comment
Checkmate King Two This White Rook
1/19/2024 08:09:28 am
Hey LKSports....just beat Mahomes and get some new blood into the playoffs...please....
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Lucas KochevarI love sports and I'm a local fan of the Falcons, Hawks, and Braves. You can find my quick thoughts and more on my twitter @lucaswkochevar |