Bills vs. Chiefs: Bills Pose Some Problems for Chiefs in Opener

Last year, the Chiefs and Bills met on Halloween in what was a very disturbing game for both teams. Ryan Succop's field goal as overtime expired brought an end to one of the strangest contests Chiefs fans had witnessed in years. Not only had Succop missed an earlier shot at a game-winner, it took a last-second timeout to keep Buffalo's Rian Lindell from sealing the game for the Bills.

The Chiefs are limping a little coming into Week 1 of the season, and according to some, coach Todd Haley is to blame. After a preseason finale in which the Chiefs used their starters throughout the majority of the game, they now face an uphill climb given the loss of tight end Tony Moeaki (IR) and the health of starting quarterback Matt Cassel. Adding insult to injury, first-round flanker and projected starter Jonathan Baldwin still adorns a sizable cast on his hand after a weight-room scuffle with veteran leader Thomas Jones.

Fortunately, the Chiefs' Week 1 opponent is an underwhelming Bills team that seems to lack an identity on either side of the ball.

While Kansas City's offense hasn't exactly been firing on all cylinders dating back to Week 17 of last season, they figure to move the ball with ease against seemingly inferior defensive competition. Where they may struggle is containing a powerful yet inexperienced offense featuring emerging wideout Steve Johnson, the excellent running back tandem of Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller and a surprisingly efficient quarterback running the show in Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Chiefs pass rush could really frustrate the Bills if Wallace Gilberry, Tamba Hali and Justin Houston can bring consistent pressure. Kansas City boasts an outstanding secondary capable of making Ryan Fitzpatrick pay for any miscues.

Keys to Victory

—In last season's nail-biting overtime victory, Jamaal Charles amassed over 225 yards of offense. Yet the Chiefs only mustered 13 points. The primary reason for that embarrassing total was going 1-for-4 in the red zone. You can bet Todd Haley will emphasize finishing off drives early to not only gain some confidence, but to deflate an opponent who should be out-matched from the opening kick.

As endearing as his aggressiveness was sometimes last year, Todd Haley is going to have to settle for three points a little more often in 2011 if he wants to maintain an element of surprise.

—Protecting Matt Cassel (and more specifically at this juncture, his ribs) could prove difficult with the likes of Shawne Merriman, Kyle Williams, Nick Barnett and rookie Marcell Dareus in Buffalo's front seven. Barry Richardson struggles in pass protection regardless of whom he's marking so it's safe to assume the Bills will attack his side fairly regularly. If the Chiefs have trouble on first and second down, they could be in for a long day, much like their appalling 4-for-16 showing in the 2010 contest.

—Buffalo's offensive line is considerably youthful, with their oldest starter being right tackle Eric Pears at 29 years old. Talented youngsters Andy Levitre, Eric Wood and Kraig Urbik should struggle against savvy veteran nose tackle Kelly Gregg, giving the Chiefs plenty of opportunities to bring heat up the middle much like they did in the preseason.

Additionally, tackles Demetrius Bell and the aforementioned Peers are below average at best, possibly foreshadowing a field day for an emerging group of edge rushers. Kansas City needs to blitz and blitz often, because allowing Buffalo to get  into an offensive rhythm is how they got into trouble in last year's game.

Prediction: Look for the Chiefs to put some points on the board early and ride the energy of Arrowhead Stadium to what should be a smooth victory. 

Chiefs 27 - Bills 13 - Ryan 12 (beers)