Takeaways: I can’t tell if offense or defense was better in Bills win over Chiefs

The Buffalo Bills staked their claim to the top spot in the AFC with a 38-20 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. There were a few moments that didn’t go Buffalo’s way, but the offense and defense were great on Sunday and even into Monday, so let’s get the takeaways rolling.

Josh Allen was jaw-dropping

Josh Allen only had seven completions in the first half, so that’s terribly sad. But they were for 219 yards, which is outstanding. He was electric on long passes in the first half, four of four for 172 yards and two touchdowns. He finished with 315 yards on just 15 completions with three touchdown passes. Allen added a rushing touchdown and led the team on the ground, too, with 59 yards. He even hurdled a guy again.

Good news: Where is the pass rush?

So you’ve read me giving the Bills a ton of crap over the years for their lack of pass rush. Against the Chiefs, it was masterful. They kept Patrick Mahomes in the pocket all game and forced him to work without creating outside the pocket. It allowed the secondary to cover their guys longer and led to fewer playground balls. Mario Addison did a spin move toward the sideline to keep Mahomes inside. The pass rush did exactly what they wanted it to do and it led to a poor showing from Mahomes. I don’t think the Bills rushed more than four players the entire game, dropping seven in coverage.

I am the one who Knox

Dawson Knox had three catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. But it was more than that. He understood the game and found space when presented. They’ve been using him on a ton of snaps this year and he’s making defenses pay. He has a touchdown in four straight games.

Need to take advantage of the krumble

The Bills had it on Kansas City’s 34 after a beautiful Siran Neal forced fumble was recovered by Andre Smith. Holding on Dawkins negated a third-down conversion into the 20, and on the subsequent third down, Josh Allen was called for intentional grounding. It went from a successful third down conversion to 4th & 29. Buffalo had to punt! After a kickoff return fumble recovery. Just terrible.

Bills figure out third-down on defense

Kansas City was 3-of-4 on first down during their long opening drive. Tre’Davious White gave them a first-down conversion on a holding call when Mahomes threw an incompletion. Finally on 3rd & 12, they got off the field on a dropped pass from Tyreek Hill. Siran Neal gifted the Chiefs a third-down conversion in the second quarter after a Boogie Basham pass rush got to Mahomes. Even in the second half on fourth down, Ed Oliver went low on Patrick Mahomes for a conversion by flag. But for the rest of the second half, they were outstanding. Remember how KC had three conversions on the first drive? They had just two the rest of the way, finishing 5-of-12.

There is a lot more to take away from this game, but it’s almost 1 in the morning on the East Coast. Stay tuned to Buffalo Rumblings!