It’s the biggest game for the Buffalo Bills in a long time this coming Sunday. That’s right, even bigger than the 2020-2021 AFC championship game. In a rematch from that year, the Bills will have their opportunity to right their wrongs against the Kansas City Chiefs.
In three of the last four postseasons, the Bills have had their hearts broken at the hands of the Chiefs. First it was a dominant performance by them against the Bills in their last conference championship matchup. Then the infamous “13 seconds” game where a huge letdown by the defense and allowing overtime ultimately cost the Bills a chance to host the AFC championship game. Lastly, Tyler Bass, who was in a rough patch as the Bills kicker missed a game-tying field goal to potentially push overtime on the Chiefs last season.
Long story short, the Bills have not had any success against the Chiefs at all. Bills fans are hoping that the narrative can change this Sunday and that Buffalo can finally take down the team that has owned them in the playoffs. However, there is one thing that Bobby Babich and the defense need to do no matter what.
Bills can punch their ticket to Super Bowl by heavily limiting Travis Kelce
For the past two seasons, Travis Kelce has not been his regular All-Pro self but he has done enough to help out the Chiefs’ offense. Whether it’s catching a crucial pass on third down, or even gaining yards after the catch to put the Chiefs in scoring position, Kelce can make a defense pay the price.
Kelce has been one of Buffalo’s kryptonite’s in the playoffs the last couple of seasons. When you compare his production in the regular season against the postseason when going up against the Bills, it’s not even close.
In three playoff games against Buffalo, Kelce has 26 receptions (off of 30 targets) for 289 yards and five touchdowns. He has also averaged over 11 yards per reception. He knows how to beat Buffalo and make their lives miserable. When you look at his regular season production (8 games vs. the Bills), Kelce has 36 catches for 448 yards and 4 touchdowns.
If the Bills can limit Kelce from being a playmaker, it takes away an easy safety valve for Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs like to play the middle of the field in their passing game. The Bills have a tendency to play zone coverage and give up yards little by little rather than giving up the long ball. Whenever they see #87 on the field, there has to be a plan to make sure that he doesn’t break free. If he does, the Bills defense is going to be in major trouble.