Ranking the toughest games left on the Kansas City Chiefs schedule
By Matt Conner
3. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are one of the NFL’s biggest success stories in the first half of the 2017 regular season. The rust belt has to be excited for the resurgent Bills, who were predicted to have one of the worst records in football after they traded away so many seemingly talented and important players just before the season began—from wideout Sammy Watkins to linebacker Reggie Ragland to even defensive lineman Marcell Dareus in the last week.
However, the Bills are 5-2 and have mowed down the two AFC West teams they’ve already faced this year—the Raiders and Broncos. Their two losses were by a combined 10 points, and now they have Kelvin Benjamin in the house as their new red zone target thanks to a savvy deadline deal. If you doubted Bufalo’s ability to move the chains when it counts, having Benjamin as a go-to option in the clutch gives them a chance even on desperate tosses to the end zone.
What makes Buffalo so dangerous is the way their defense is playing despite being so young. Tre’Davious White is a rookie revelation at cornerback. Shaq Lawson is making good on last year’s early investment. Fifth round linebacker Matt Milano looks nice in early action, playing over his head so early in his career.
Even more impressive is the way the Bills get the best out of outcast players. Jordan Poyer is playing well at safety after forgettable years in Cleveland. Jerry Hughes leads the team in sacks once again, showing a consistent ability to rush the passer ever since the Bills snaked him in a low-risk maneuver from the Indianapolis Colts. Lorenzo Alexander, a mid-thirties linebacker, had 9 sacks in 9 years before arriving in Buffalo last year, when he suddenly sprang for 12.5 sacks. He’s picking up where he left off with 3 forced fumbles in the first half of the season.
The Bills have promising young players as well as a hungry, determined style that puts players in the best possible scenarios to succeed. This means the front office and coaching staff are not only on the same page, but they’re also smart and savvy at what they do. That could spell trouble for the Chiefs in Week 12.