The Buffalo Bills are riding high as they enter this weekend's divisional round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills are coming off their 47-17 demolition of Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. In that game, Buffalo scored a touchdown on their first seven possessions. That set a record for regular and postseason. The only possession they did not score a touchdown on was when they took a knee to end the game. Clearly, the offense is clicking.
They'll need the offense to keep rolling against the Chiefs.
Click here for odds on the Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs playoff game, via FanDuel.
Defensively, they appear to have found their stride once again. After a stretch in the middle of the season where the defense was slightly underwhelming, they appear to have found their form once again. Buffalo will need them to play well as the Chiefs offense has also awakened during the second half of the year.
But there is one aspect of the game that needs to occur for Buffalo to pull off the upset.
*Watch every NFL game live with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Buffalo Bills X-Factor vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Bills running back Devin Singletary
Yes, Bills quarterback Josh Allen is crucial to the team's success. In order for Buffalo to win Sunday, Allen is going to need to play well. But even if he does play well, that will not assure the team a victory. But one thing that is equally crucial is the continued resurgence of running back Devin Singletary. If the Bills tailback continues his torred stretch, it should make it much easier for Allen to dominate.
For much of the year, Buffalo would not commit to a running back. At times, Singletary was the guy. At other points, Zack Moss appeared to lead the backfield. Even Matt Breida led the team at one time. Part of the problem was not knowing which player they could rely on. But another problem they had with their backfield was literally not using them. Josh Allen seemed to have more rushing attempts than their backfield during the middle of the year.
Down the stretch though, the Bills finally landed on a guy; Devin Singletary.
Over their last five games, Singletary has averaged just over 18 carries per game, and rushed for 404 yards. Most importantly, he has finished drives, scoring eight touchdowns during that stretch.
Devin Singletary had the highest rushing grade among all Running Backs on Wild Card weekend (84.8) 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OWner4JDsk
— PFF BUF Bills (@PFF_Bills) January 18, 2022
Last week, Singletary ran all over New England and finished the week as Pro Football Focus' highest graded running back.
For more insight on the Bills' Divisional playoff matchup against the Chiefs, listen below:
Josh Allen has been inconsistent during the year. But he has been on fire over the last month and change. It is not a coincidence that happens to be when Singletary began playing a prominent role in the offense.
The Chiefs rush defense ranked in the bottom third of the league this year. They got pounded on the ground by the Bengals and Broncos to close out the regular season. Kansas City loves to play man-to-man on the outside, and will probably play two deep safeties to keep Allen from going over the top. So, the opportunity should be there for Singletary to be effective Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Click here to bet $5, win $150 on any NFL team in the NFL playoffs to win their game (30-1 Odds).
*To claim, new users need to register, make a first-time deposit, and then simply place their first real-money wager on FanDuel Sportsbook on any NFL team playing in the NFL Playoffs to win their matchup. All winning bets will be fulfilled within 72 hours if they win.*
If the Bills can get the ground game going, it will make life much easier on Allen to success, which as I mentioned, is crucial for another win in Kansas City.
Follow Us
Subscribe