The 8-2 Buffalo Bills, as we’ve all been waiting for, are finally facing the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The Chiefs may be undefeated, but there’s still a good amount of players that fans don’t need to be concerned about. Besides players like Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt, and Rashee Rice, the Chiefs don’t have offensive playmakers. The defense is where it’s at, and is the unit that’s winning Kansas City their football games this time. So, let’s dive a little deeper into the Chiefs players Bills fans DON’T need to be concerned about.
Wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster
Back for his second stint in Kansas City, Smith-Schuster isn’t the player that Chiefs fans remember him being. He’s played in six games this season due to an injury but has totaled nine receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown in that time. Schuster was released by the New England Patriots just one year into a three-year/$25.5 M deal, only totaling 260 yards and one touchdown in his time there.
Now, at 27 years old, he’s looking to rejuvenate a dying career. It’s going to be tough to get him going this week against a stout Bills secondary, which includes slot corner Taron Johnson. This should be an easy matchup for Johnson, as Schuster is coming off an injury, and quite frankly looks like a shell of himself.
Offensive lineman Jawann Taylor
Taylor is the same tackle that Bills fans remember from a year ago, which included him being benched early on in 2023. This year, Taylor has been called for eight penalties and has allowed three sacks, according to PFF. Buffalo’s pass rush has been giving opposing linemen fits all season, with Greg Rousseau stepping up and quickly becoming a star. He has totaled 5.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits.
Taylor should have some fits on Sunday against the Bills’ new-look pass rush, which includes A.J. Epenesa’s five sacks as well. It took a while, but Buffalo’s young pass rushers are finally growing into the players that Buffalo expected, and it’s going to show against Taylor.
Nickel cornerback Chamarri Conner
Breakout receiver Khalil Shakir had a field day last week against a top slot corner in Kenny Moore, and now against a weaker opponent, that will remain the same. Shakir has totaled 529 yards and two touchdowns on the season, including 107 yards on nine receptions against the Seattle Seahawks. Shakir has been unguardable, and the second-year pro is going to have his hands full this week.
Conner was thrown into the starting lineup after a recent injury to Jaylen Watson, and the trade of L’Jarius Sneed in the off-season. Kansas City never replaced Sneed, leaving opportunities for their young core, including Conner. It’s still unclear how he’ll fare against Shakir, but Buffalo should have no worries here.