Offensive line, secondary hold keys to Chiefs’ success against Bills

Chiefs running game is important to success

For a team which features quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce, it feels a little awkward to lead the team’s key matchups with the run game. However, there are two primary reasons to do so.

In my opinion, a supremely underdeveloped talking point from the first quarter of the season is the fact that with the running game comes a stronger defense. Think back to the Chiefs handling of the Houston Texans in Week One. Was it odd to see the team rushing the football up and down the field, controlling the clock and the tempo in the process? Of course it was! With it, however, came a superb defensive effort.

This was one of the biggest issues for the Chiefs in 2018. Patrick Mahomes was leading the team to quick scores at will all season and the defense never got to rest and recoup. When the offense struggles to control the ball and sustain drives, the defense suffers and that’s important this week—and most weeks.

The run game is also critical to what the Chiefs want to accomplish offensively. The play action game, the screen game, the misdirection ploys are all dictated by the effectiveness of one’s run game. When Kansas City is unable (or unwilling) to get the run game established, the rest of the offense suffers significantly. Never is that more important than right now, since the Chiefs are missing Sammy Watkins and the offensive line has been ineffective.

Buffalo gives up just 101 yards per game, the 8th best mark in the league through five weeks, so this will be no simple task. But, the team needs Week 1 Clyde Edwards-Helaire to show up on Monday to maximize their chances at success.