(My Sportsbook) - Buffalo has landed in a three-way tie atop the AFC East following its Week 10 bye. The Bills are still smarting from their stunning 38-7 loss to heated rival New England in Week 9, and they have some questions to answer after their three-game win streak was snapped in a big way.
"We are in position right now, just like almost every other team in the AFC to make a run here down the stretch, said QB Drew Bledsoe. "What happens over the next two to three weeks is going to start to shape things out a little bit as to which teams are in control and which teams are chasing."
Bledsoe wasn't to blame for Buffalo's Week 9 loss, it was the lack of a running game and a general defensive lapse. Bledsoe recorded his second straight 300-yard passing game against his former team, throwing for 302 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He connected with seven different targets, including nine catches for 98 yards by WR Peerless Price.
Bledsoe will continue to lead the offense, but he will need help from RB Travis Henry over the remainder of the season. Henry has shown flashes of brilliance, but he gained only 53 yards versus New England. Part of that was due to Buffalo's need to pass since they had to come back from a big deficit, but Henry has rushed for less than 65 yards in each of the past two games.
Since Bledsoe only gets better with the threat of the run and the ability to use play action passes, Henry will be the focal point for the next few critical weeks.
Kansas City is the worst-ranked defense in the NFL in terms of yardage allowed per game (425.2). Just to illustrate how bad the Chiefs are on defense, the next worst team allows only 385.8 yards per game.
"If you look at the game statistically that is what you would expect, two high scoring offenses to put up a lot of points on both sides," said Bledsoe. "You never know going into these games...The Chiefs defense has been playing a bunch better in the last couple of weeks. They've limited some good offense to not many points. In spite of what their statistical standing might be in the league, we know that they have been playing better in recent weeks and it's showing up.
"They mix up their style pretty good. In the last couple of weeks when they've been successful they've been playing a little bit more of a conservative style trying to eliminate some of the big plays that had hurt them in some earlier games. They have been effective in doing that."
Henry will have his chances this week, and FB Larry Centers should also figure into Buffalo's game plan. The Chiefs allow 118.9 rushing yards per game.
What has made Bledsoe so successful is his many weapons. The receiving tandem of Price and Eric Moulds, along with TE Jay Riemersma and Centers gives Bledsoe a wealth of options on any given play. It will be up to Kansas City's suspect pass defense to cover all the targets, which is virtually impossible.
Moulds (62) and Price (60) are two of only six NFL receivers with 60 or more receptions. Not only do they both catch a lot of passes, but they also break long plays and catch deep passes. They are the only two players in the league with four receptions for 40 yards or more.
COMING UP: The Bills Face the New York Jets at the Meadowlands in Week 12.