Plan to shut down Travis Kelce worked, backup OL comes up big: Bills observations - The Athletic

Buffalo Bills

Forcing Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to catch three passes for 25 yards on seven targets — his second-lowest receiving yardage total of the season — was a big reason the Buffalo Bills pulled off a 24-20 win over their AFC East rivals on Sunday.

Kelce entered the game leading the NFL with 1,248 receiving yards and tied for second with 12 receiving touchdowns.

The Bills did a good job of limiting Kelce's production by playing a lot of two-deep safety looks, which took away the middle of the field and forced Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to look elsewhere.

Backup OL comes up big

With starting left guard Rodger Saffold (concussion) and starting right tackle Spencer Brown (ankle) both out with injuries, the Bills had to rely on their backup offensive linemen against a Chiefs defense that entered the game ranked third in the NFL in sacks.

The Bills' backup offensive linemen, led by David Quessenberry at left guard and Tommy Doyle at right tackle, played well and helped the Bills rush for 164 yards on 32 carries (5.1 yards per carry).

They also kept Mahomes from sacking Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who did, however, finish the game with a sprained UCL in his throwing elbow.

Other observations

• Allen finished the game 21-of-33 for 329 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for 32 yards on eight carries.
• Bills running back James Cook had his best game of the season, rushing for 85 yards on 11 carries (7.7 yards per carry).
• Buffalo's defense held the Chiefs to just 20 points, the third-lowest point total allowed by the Bills this season.