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The Kansas City Chiefs are perfect no more thanks to the Buffalo Bills.
On a day when the Bills were without two of their top pass-catchers and starting right tackle, Buffalo found a way to put up 30 points on an elite Chiefs defense. Buffalo’s defense, meanwhile, limited Kansas City to just 21 points. Plenty of Buffalo’s success has to go to the defensive line which found a way to get consistent pressure on Patrick Mahomes.
Following their latest win, Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded out the roster. Now at 9-2 and entering their bye week, here is a look at the best and worst grades on the roster according to the analytics site.
According to PFF, Buffalo’s best overall performance was Sunday against the Chiefs. The analytics site gave Buffalo its highest overall grade of the year (78.5). In addition to the overall grade, Buffalo had its highest grades in offense (81.2), passing (83.7), and tackling (82.6).
In what has become one of the NFL’s best rivalries, the Bills played their best on both sides of the ball.
Buffalo entered Sunday’s matchup without Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid, two of their top weapons. In a big-time matchup, other weapons stepped up when Buffalo needed them most. Three receivers, Shakir, Samuel and Cooper all performed well in the win.
Shakir led all players in receiving on Sunday with eight passes for 70 yards. Shakir broke off a 22-yard reception on a short pass on the final play of the third quarter. He would also make a tough grab across the middle of the field on 3rd and 9 on the team’s final scoring drive. Shakir took an immediate hit to his back but still found a way to hold on.
Samuel put together his second straight strong performance for Buffalo. The veteran receiver caught five of six targets for 58 yards and a touchdown in the win. Samuel’s score came just four plays after Shakir’s 22-yard reception.
Cooper was not as active for the offense (2-55), but both of his grabs were big plays. His 30-yard reception not only kept Buffalo’s opening drive alive on third down, but it also led to the team’s first score of the day. He would later add a 25-yard reception on a double move. Two receptions resulting in two chunk plays is a good day at the office.
Cam Lewis played just 10 snaps in Buffalo’s victory, but he was flying all over the field in the win. Lewis flew upfield on a third and long pass from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce. The defensive back grabbed Kelce by the leg preventing him from getting any significant yards on the play. Kansas City would go on to punt on the following play.
On Kansas City’s final drive, Lewis made back-to-back impact plays. Following the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter, Mahomes threw a pass to Samaje Perine. As soon as Perine caught the ball, Lewis was there to tackle the back for a three-yard loss. On the following play, Mahomes tried to return to Perine, but Lewis broke up the pass and nearly intercepted Mahomes.
PFF has its grading system, but we have to agree to disagree with the analytics site on O’Cyrus Torrence’s grade. Torrence seemed to hold his own against an elite Chiefs defensive line. Matched up against Chris Jones, arguably the NFL’s top defensive player, Torrence stood his ground and played a part in keeping Allen upright.
Brian Baldinger did a great job breaking down Torrence’s performance in the nine-point victory.
It’s hard to argue with the film presented.
Rapp and Johnson both played a big role in keeping Patrick Mahomes under 200 yards of passing, but both landed in the bottom three for the Bills. The biggest knock on the defensive backs was their coverage. Rapp, despite an interception, received a 45.7 coverage grade while Johnson recorded a 38.8 coverage grade.
They both thrived in tackling. Rapp received an 84.3 tackle grade and Johnson had an 81.5 tackle grade.
*10 snap minimum used for top-5 and bottom-3 grades
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