Fresh off their 30-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, the Buffalo Bills returned to practice Wednesday with their sights set on their next challenge — the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.
"They're extremely well coached, they adjust through the course of a game, they execute at a high level," head coach Sean McDermott said. "You can only control so much. We can't control what they do or don't do, but we've got to focus on making sure that we're ready to play and that starts with, if it didn't already start by today, then it starts with today and the urgency we have to have today."
The Bills held a walkthrough practice on Wednesday.
While they do not play in the same division, the Bills and the Chiefs have played every year dating back to the 2020 season, including the playoffs. The Bills are 3-4 in those matchups including a 27-24 loss in the AFC Divisional Round of the 2023-2024 season. LB Terrel Bernard was not available for that game due to an ankle injury, but he is available for Sunday's game.
"Last year in the playoffs… he was close to playing," McDermott said. "TB, he wears his heart on his sleeve, and he plays with his heart. He was pretty emotional about not being able to play, not being able to be out there with his teammates. It's always good to have him out there… He's a big-time leader for us on our team, on our defense for certain. And he's just like a quarterback on the field for us."
As they have done all year, the Bills are treating this game like any other, saying that there is no added pressure because the Chiefs are undefeated and focusing on the challenge ahead of them.
"It's a Week 11 game," QB Josh Allen said. "It's no bigger and no less than the last 10 games that we've had. I know the media perception and the fan perception of what this game means. But for us, it's just a Week 11 for us."
That mentality was around the locker room from more than just Allen.
"I feel like they're a good team so, you're gonna get a lot of hype from the outside," DE Greg Rousseau said. "But at the end of the day, it's like every single game, like one out of 17, so the same size, but obviously they're a good team. It's not a bigger deal than me, but I'm sure a lot of people look at it that way."
Allen acknowledged that the Chiefs' defense presents challenges and pointed out DT Chris Jones as one of the best interior linemen in the league.
"He's a game wrecker, one of the best, if not the best, interior D lineman in the game right now," Allen said. "You pair that up with some of their DBs and linebackers, they're flying all over the field… We're gonna have our hands full. It's a very good unit that we're about to face, and we're just trying to try and have a good week of practice and go up there next week on Sunday."
TE Travis Kelce is once again in the top 10 in the NFL in receptions and Johnson spoke about what makes him a difficult matchup.
"He's such a smart player and he knows angles, and really good with leverage so, if you're playing a certain leverage on him, he's going to get off of that and go the opposite way," Johnson said. "I feel like Patrick Mahomes is just on the same page with them. Obviously, they spend so much time together. That's probably the biggest thing is how smart of a player he is, how smart Patrick is, and them being on the same page."
Just as the Bills traded for WR Amari Cooper, the Chiefs made the midseason acquisition to add WR DeAndre Hopkins to their offense. The Bills faced Hopkins in Week 7 when he was on the Tennessee Titans roster and are prepared to face him for the second time this season.
"Really good player," McDermott said. "The thing I know about him, Andy (Reid) and Brett Veach is they're never going to just sit pat. They're always trying to, like we are, improve our roster and improve every way we can in our football team."
Even though they will not be on the field at the same time, Allen said that he appreciates the matchups against Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, but his focus is on what he can do for the Bills.
"To be mentioned with him, obviously, he's a three-time Super Bowl winner, multiple time MVP, plays the game at such a high level, does some of the things that you don't see anybody else do," Allen said. "So, to be mentioned with him is very cool from the football aspect of it, but I don't really get caught up in that too much. I just try to focus on what I can do for the Buffalo Bills."
Even though the playoff game was in Orchard Park at the end of last season, this will be the first time since the 2020 regular season that the Bills will face the Chiefs at home in the regular season.
"We've got to make sure we put in our work and at the same time we get a chance to be in front of our fans," McDermott said.
Matt Milano's return to practice
For the first time since training camp, LB Matt Milano practiced with the team in a limited capacity. Milano has been out since August with a biceps injury. On Monday, McDermott announced that the team had opened the practice window for Milano.
"You talk about a guy that's been on a journey," McDermott said. "Two years now of going through what he's gone through, and it's just amazing to watch his resilient nature… I think that just speaks to the type of person he is, how driven he is, and trying to pursue the goals that he has as an individual and for us as a team as well. He's as much of a team player as we have, so just a great guy to have on board here."
Even though Milano has not been able to practice, he has been around the team and has traveled to away games and has been on the sideline.
"Can't commend him enough for how he's handled the situation, the type of leader that he's been inside our locker room," Allen said. "He's been traveling on way trips and staying in the ears of guys. And to have that type of veteran leadership for a guy that's been through quite a bit the last couple years, injury wise, and never has he put his head down or said, poor me. He's continued to work extremely hard. I'm very excited for his return, because he deserves it."
The team, but especially the defense was excited to see Milano back on the field. Johnson said that he is one of his closest friends on the team and having him around was huge for them.
"He's helping Dorian (Williams), he's helping TB, the linebackers, just get stuff done and, being a coach out there," Johnson said. "It's just huge to have a guy like that, and I'm so excited to watch him play again."
"Honestly, I see the excitement. When he's walking around, he's talking about ball, being out there, he is excited. So, I'm excited for him."
Injury Report
- Did not participate: RT Spencer Brown (Ankle), WR Keon Coleman (Wrist), TE Dalton Kincaid (Knee)
- Limited: WR Amari Cooper (Wrist), LB Matt Milano (IR) (Biceps)
