Bills send a message: We’re AFC contenders
Buffalo’s defence flexes its new muscles for the season in win over K.C.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.—In putting the finishing touches on Buffalo’s most resounding win of the season, cornerback Tre’Davious White made his way to the sideline after recovering Patrick Mahomes’s fumble with a message to the few Chiefs fans who remained.
“Bye-bye,” White said with a wave.
In the pouring rain at Arrowhead Stadium, White and the Bills enjoyed a cleansing moment in closing out a 38-20 victory in the early hours of Monday morning. Over a thunderstorm-delayed contest, Buffalo’s offence and defence were lights out in vanquishing the one opponent who stood in their way of reaching the Super Bowl last season.
The 38 points matched the Chiefs’ output in a 38-24 win over the Bills in the AFC championship game in January. Josh Allen’s 315 yards passing and three touchdowns mirrored Mahomes’s 325-yard, three-TD outing the last time they met.
And this time, Buffalo’s defence flexed its muscles by forcing four take-aways after wilting in two losses to the Chiefs last season, including a 26-17 decision in October.
“Last year left a bad taste in my mouth, so we wanted to come back and play well today,” safety Jordan Poyer said. “We knew we were gonna take some punches. But at the end of the day, nobody blinked.”
While a convincing win in
Week 5 might not change the past for Buffalo, it does send a clear message that these Bills should be considered true AFC contenders.
Buffalo improved to 4-1, matching the Los Angeles Chargers for the conference lead through Sunday. Just as important, the Bills eased questions about their potential after their three previous wins came against backup quarterbacks.
The Chiefs, now 2-3, might be experiencing early season issues on defence, but their offence entered the game tied for second in the NFL with Buffalo in averaging 33.5 points per outing.
While the Bills offence caught the Chiefs flat-footed with a balanced attack, Buffalo’s defence continued to validate early season impressions of being vastly improved. Despite yielding a season-high 392 yards to Kansas City, Buffalo has yet to allow an opponent more than 21 points. Their total 64 points allowed are the fewest through the first five games of a season in franchise history. Just as impressive, the Bills have forced three or more take-aways in each of their past four outings.
In limiting the Chiefs to two touchdowns and a field goal on five drives inside Buffalo’s 20, the Bills have now held opponents to a combined five TDs and three field goals on 15 redzone possessions.
“Honestly, we know how good we can be,” middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds said. “We’re not surprised as far as the success we’re having. I see it day in and day out throughout the week. It just doesn’t happen (only) on game days.”