Bills leap over Chiefs in 2022 rematch
Allen outmatched Mahomes while Miller played a crucial role on defense as the Bills defeated the Chiefs 24-20 at Arrowhead Stadium
CC: Yahoo
BUFFALO, NY (10-17-2022) - Tony Romo predicted in the first quarter of the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs matchup at Arrowhead Stadium that the score would not be a like the legendary 2021 AFC Divisional game, but instead a defensive battle. In the end, he was right as the Bills won 24-20.
“To me, this is not going to be a high-scoring game because these two defenses are going to make you drive the field,” said Romo, an analyst and former Cowboys quarterback. “The clock’s going to run a lot because they’re going to be consistently checking it down, running the football, every once in a while, you get a big play, but this is going to be a 24–20 type of game, maybe 30 if somebody goes off.”
The game looked bleak at first with both teams turning the ball over in their first possession. However, the Chiefs jumped ahead after quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a 42-yard touchdown to receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster who broke a three-man tackle.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen proceeded to take control, throwing touchdowns to receivers Gabriel Davis, who Romo called the Chiefs kryptonite, and Stefon Diggs. The Chiefs then regained the lead with a Mahomes touchdown pass Mecole Hardman and then a field goal. Allen then led the game-winning drive capped off with a touchdown pass to tight end Dawson Knox. Taron Johnson then picked off Mahomes in the final two minutes to ensure no miracle comeback this time.
Allen's best play was a repeat of something he did against the Chiefs last year by hurdleding cornerback Justin Reid for a first down. He finished the game with a total of 329 passing yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, 32 rushing yards and a 126.3 QB rating. He then told reporters that the team's success focused on the concentration of this game rather than be haunted by thier previous playoff losses.
“Nothing we did last year translates to what we’re doing this year,” Allen said with a shrug. “What happened in the past, that’s where it is. All we can do is focus on the next one. Today was the next one.”
The run game poved more efficient in game managing as Devin Singletary had 82 yards. The defense did they best they could to manage Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce who only recorded 108 recieving yards and no touchdowns.
What really made the difference for this matchup was the defensive effort from Von Miller. The 33-year-old linebacker used his experience against Mahomes and his squad to collect four tackles, two tackles for a loss and two sacks, one of them being a third-down stop to set up Allen's game-winning touchdown to Knox.
When the Bills first signged Miller, many fans hoped that he could provide more pressure on Mahomes and get after him. Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised Miller saying he did his job in stopping the Chiefs superstar quarterback.
“Whether or not he was actually sacking Mahomes, he was affecting him… He was phenomenal,” McDermott said after the game of Miller. “You could feel him out there the entire game. He was phenomenal,”
Miller then said his results came from putting in the work to justify his $120-million contract he signed with the Bills in March 2022.
“That’s why I’m here. That’s in the job description,” Miller said. “It just feels so good to come here with this great group of guys, man… Work so hard, out in all the sweat, all the long days in training camp to get here and come out on top.”
However, not everything went the Bills way during this game. Receiver Isaiah McKenzie had one of the worst games of his career, only recording two receptions for nine yards. He also made huge mistakes like fumbling a backwards pass, missing a loft pass and tripping in the end zone on a fourth and goal.
Another thing that didn't go well for the Bills was when the refferees missed an apparent tripping call on Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones. This came one week after outrage erupted over a controversal roughing the passer call on Jones in the Chiefs win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Despite these minor errors, Allen once again proved to the AFC's best team that dealing with him will not be easy. Time will tell if the Bills and Chiefs face each other again in the playoffs. Right now, the Bills will look to enjoy a nice week off before returning to Orchard Park to host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football on Oct. 30.