The Kansas City Chiefs look to reach their second straight Super Bowl on Sunday, and the only team left in their way is the Buffalo Bills.
Patrick Mahomes had to leave the game early last week against the Cleveland Browns, but all signs point to the reigning Super Bowl MVP being ready for his second straight AFC title game.
The Chiefs officially list QB Patrick Mahomes as a FULL participant in practice today.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 20, 2021
While the status of Mahomes is iffy—and Chad Henne didn't play too great against Cleveland—the team hopes he can suit up and be ready to go on Sunday.
"He's in the protocol so there are only certain things he can do… He took all the snaps, he feels good."
Andy Reid on Patrick Mahomes status.#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/XAzsskQPf8
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) January 20, 2021
Whether the Chiefs have Mahomes or not remains to be seen, but the fact he was able to practice in some capacity Wednesday should be a telling sign for his status.
Of course, having Mahomes is a huge boost. Regardless, everybody knows about Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill. Andy Reid always has his team ready to play, and those stars rarely had off games.
However, who will be the X-factors for the Chiefs come Sunday?
1. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Of course, Mahomes is the X-factor if he plays or not, but that's too easy.
Edwards-Helaire—or CEH—has been a bit of a disappointment for the Chiefs in his first year in the NFL. The rookie fresh off a National Championship with LSU was taken with the final pick of the first round in what seemed like a home-run selection by Kansas City.
The Chiefs running game was not strong last season, and it was no question the position had to be addressed in the offseason.
However, the status of CEH is up in the air, and the talented rookie has been out since Dec. 20 with an injured hip.
Willie Gay did not practice today.
Patrick Mahomes, Bashaud Breeland, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Rashad Fenton, and Sammy Watkins were limited.https://t.co/refMaIUM6R
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 20, 2021
The fact that Edwards-Helaire got in a limited practice is terrific news for the Chiefs, and he will be much needed against a tough Buffalo Bills defense.
The last time the two teams faced each other was the best game of the season for CEH. He finished with 26 carries for 161 yards in October against the Bills, and in fact, that was one of only two games in which he topped 100 yards rushing.
It's needless to say that the Chiefs will need the rushing attack with or without Mahomes, and the ability to keep the dangerous Bills' offense on the sideline will be huge in this game.
The Bills defense gave the Baltimore Ravens fits last week, limited Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins to a combined 84 yards on 20 carries, and also limiting Lamar Jackson to 34 yards on nine carries.
For the Chiefs, they had trouble running the ball with CEH out last week, and Darrel Williams led the way with 78 yards on 13 carries as no other Chiefs back got more than two carries against the Cleveland Browns.
If Edwards-Helaire can bring back memories to the last time these two teams faced off, the Chiefs could be heading for their second straight Super Bowl.
2. Kansas City's Secondary
So much is told of the effectiveness of the Chiefs' offense, and that makes sense with all their weapons.
However, as Sunday approaches, the defense will have their hands full and can very well tilt the favor of this game towards Kansas City with an impressive performance.
The Buffalo offense is full of playmakers with John Brown, Cole Beasley, Josh Allen, and the NFL receptions leader in Stefon Diggs.
The Chiefs have a tall task to limit the passing game and force the Bills to run the football. Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu is playing some of the best football of his career, and he should see Diggs more often than not come Sunday.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will be ready with a gameplan, and forcing the Bills to run the football is going to be huge.
Buffalo is without Zack Moss due to injury, and the duo of Devin Singletary and TJ Yeldon doesn't exactly scare an opposing defense. After all, Yeldon and Singletary combined for just 29 yards on nine carries against the Ravens, so that should be telling of how Daboll thinks about the running game situation in Buffalo.
Spagnuolo's group is fifth in the NFL this season in interceptions (16) and the Honey Badger has a career-high in interceptions with six.
Daniel Sorensen and Bashaud Breeland cause a lot of problems in that secondary as well. Breeland also left the Browns game early with a concussion, but as of Wednesday, he was also a limited participant in practice.
While the reigning Super Bowl champions live and die through their offense, the defense will have to do their part—especially with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs playing out of their minds.
If the Chiefs secondary can limit Diggs and force a turnover or two, the job for Mahomes or Chad Henne will be that much easier.
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