Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas, 31, reacts during the second half of Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Orchard Park. AP photo
ORCHARD PARK — It may be time to start taking the Buffalo Bills seriously, but there’s nothing coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen can say to convince others.
“No, that’s not a statement. It’s the next game,” McDermott said Sunday after a 30-21 win over the previously undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.
“That means we have nine wins,” Allen added.
“Last I checked, it looks like we won’t make the playoffs even if we win nine games.”
Well, almost.
Buffalo is 9-2, the magic number for a fifth consecutive AFC East title is down to two, and they maintain a five-point lead over second-place Miami (4-6), which has already won the season series. .
Certainly, the Bills still have a lot to accomplish and overcome during their bye week. Becoming healthier is a must.
So is changing the past, knowing that even if they beat the Chiefs in four consecutive regular season games starting in 2021, it won’t carry over into the playoffs, where Buffalo is 0-3 against Kansas City since 2020. .
Still, there’s a lot to take away from this win, including the fact that Buffalo now trails Kansas City by a half-game (9-1) in the race for the AFC’s top seed.
The week leading into the playoffs has been incredible for the Bills and a strong roster that welcomes the return of starting linebacker Matt Milano (left biceps tear), who has resumed practice after being sidelined since August. will bring about good results. Allen could definitely use a break, especially considering he continues to be hit hard.
The win was also further validation of what has become Buffalo’s complementary approach to winning this season.
Allen clinched the victory with an NFL-MVP-like season highlight 26-yard touchdown run on fourth down, but there were many key contributors.
Receiver Amari Cooper, nursing an injured left wrist, made a one-handed 30-yard grab to set up Buffalo’s first TD of the game. Receiver Curtis Samuel broke out of a season-long slump with a season-best five catches for 58 yards and his first touchdown.
Running back James Cook came through strong with two rushing touchdowns despite being limited to 2.2 yards per carry. Buffalo’s defense started and ended the game by intercepting Patrick Mahomes, but held the Chiefs to a season-low 259 yards.
Buffalo’s losses to Baltimore and Houston on back-to-back weekends lacked that collective effort, in part due to injuries.
The Bills no longer need to be accused of inflating their record against weaker opponents, and are now part of the AFC elite. And Buffalo still faces several challenges ahead, including a Dec. 15 showdown in Detroit.
But to suggest that a win over the Chiefs is just “one more win” would mean the Bills have won nine or more games through 11 games, just the sixth time in team history and the first since 1992. It is.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Von Miller has lived long enough to appreciate victory.
“Coach McDermott’s speech was like another game that no one will remember in 100 years. We (forgot) that,” Miller said. “It was a special moment, and it certainly feels great to be optimistic and achieve great things.”
Cooper had an entirely different reason to celebrate the victory. In the past nine NFL seasons, the 30-year-old Cooper has made the playoffs just four times, winning just one game against Dallas in 2018. And if the Bills aren’t acquired, Cooper is unlikely to get snubbed in the postseason. He was traded to Cleveland last month.
“When you’re a kid and you dream of playing soccer, this is the place you dream about,” Cooper said.
“It doesn’t happen very often, especially if you’re not on a very good team,” he added. “It’s been a long time since I felt the joy of winning this match.”
what is working
Generate sales. Two more interceptions would give the Bills all 11 takeaways and they will enter Monday with an NFL-leading plus-14 turnover differential.
things that need help
Commit turnover. After going the first seven games without an interception, Allen has thrown five of the last four.
Stock up
Samuel. He had 16 catches for 127 yards Sunday, and it had been 11 months since he hit the end zone after scoring two TDs against Washington on Dec. 17.
Out of stock
Kicker Tyler Bass. Just when the fifth-year player seemed to have found his rhythm, Bass’ fourth extra-point try of the season went wide.
injury
Nothing was reported during the match. Receiver Keon Coleman (right wrist), tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) and right tackle Spencer Brown (ankle) will undergo additional treatment for one week to fully recover.
key number
5 — The Bills’ streak of 30 or more points matches the team’s longest streak since Weeks 2-6 of 2021.
next step
Enjoy a week off before getting ready to hit San Francisco in prime time on December 1st.
