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The Kansas City Chiefs turned to the running game to defeat the Buffalo Bills 26-17 on Monday night. The Chiefs are now 3-0 in Monday night matchups.
The Chiefs are now 5-1 as they were able to bounce back from a 40-32 loss against the Las Vegas Raiders. This is their third 5-1 start in four seasons.
Meanwhile, the Bills have now lost two games in the row. Their first loss was courtesy of the Tennessee Titans last Sunday.
The Bills started off good as they were able to battle Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes‘ passing game. The reigning Super Bowl MVP only went 21-of-26 with two first-half touchdown passes — both to tight end Travis Kelce.
The Chiefs quickly turned to their running game once they saw that their passing game was not as efficient.
This resulted in a total of 245 rushing yards, the most since Mahomes took over as the starter in 2017. Chiefs rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire led his team in rushing yards, getting 161 of those 245.
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The Chiefs’ offense was quick to notice the efficiency of the Bills’ defense to control the passing game. Mahomes said that they knew they had to change their game strategy and that they have the manpower to make the switch.
(Courtesy of ABC Newscall)
The Chiefs also had 46 rushing attempts, which is the most in eight years under coach Andy Reid.
Taking it back to college
Rushing the ball was not something that was unfamiliar for the two players that shined in this game. Mahomes and Edwards-Helaire are more than familiar with running these type of plays.
Edwards-Helaire is fresh on the running game, as he joined the Chiefs this year after a historic performance at LSU. In his sole season as a starter for the Tigers, he finished with 1,414 rushing yards and 453 receiving yards on 55 receptions.
His 1,414 rushing yards are the third-highest single-season total in LSU history. He also ranks 15th in school history in career rushing yards and holds the LSU single-season record for receptions by a running back.
As for Mahomes, the switch to a running game brought him flashbacks of his days at Texas Tech were he also had to make the switch a few times.
“It takes me back to my college days at Texas Tech when we’re getting [eight defenders in pass coverage] and the linebackers are 6, 7 yards deep,” Mahomes said. “If teams are going to do that, we’ve got to run the football until they come up, and when they come up, we’re going to throw the football again.”
Mahomes Milestone
Once again, the young quarterback broke another record. During the Chiefs-Bills match up, Mahomes reached 90 passing touchdowns on his career. This was achieved during his 37th game.
This broke the Super Bowl era record for the fewest games to reach 90 passing TD’s. Before Mahomes, Hall of Famer Dan Marino held the title with 40 games.
Up Next
The Chiefs will travel to Denver on Sunday to face the Broncos. The Broncos are coming into the game with a big win against the New England Patriots. Kickoff is set for 4:25 pm.
As for the Bills, they will play against the New York Jets on Sunday. The Jets will try to get their first win of the season. Kickoff is set for 1 pm.
