Chiefs vs. Bills: First-Half Analysis For Kansas City
By Brett Gering
Pass Offense: Every time I watch the offensive line attempt to block Marcell Dareus, I imagine a Jenga board in front of an annoyed Hulk.
Dropback after dropback, Alex Smith (9-of-17, 96 YDS) finds himself in the eye of a blitzkrieg and is forced to roll out or face the consequences.
Run Offense: Jamaal Charles’ longest run of the afternoon was 17 yards. Coincidentally, before the final drive of the half, 17 yards was also his rushing total (on six carries).
Entering this afternoon, Buffalo served as Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 run defense—Kansas City ranked No. 28 in run blocking.
Run Defense: The Bills are averaging a meager 3.1 yards per carry.
To nobody’s surprise, Dontari Poe is clogging up the interior, and Buffalo’s rushers are struggling to find any semblance of daylight.
Pass Defense: Kyle Orton (12-of-22, 114 YDS, TD) enjoyed a smooth start, but Kansas City’s pass rush gained steam as the first half unfolded.
The Bills pass-catchers have also dropped a handful of passes.
Special Teams: Cairo Santos continued his streak, slicing the uprights for Kansas City’s only points of the half.
De’Anthony Thomas made the most with the hand he was dealt, but lanes have been few and far between.