As the Buffalo Bills prepare for their Week 9 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium, several players and coaches have shared updates and reflections ahead of Sunday’s game.
Wide receiver Gabe Davis returned to practice this week after a period away from the field. Davis said he feels confident about rejoining quarterback Josh Allen on the field, citing their long-standing connection. “I’ve known [Allen] now for six years, played with him for four of them, or five,” Davis said after practice on Wednesday. “I don’t think there’s anything we need to talk about or really learn about each other … we have like 30-something touchdowns together. You know what I mean? We’ve done it a lot, and it just feels like second nature at this point.” Davis also noted that his knee felt good following his first practice back: “[Wednesday] kind of opened my eyes, and I felt really good out there on the field,” he said. “… I was praying every single day for this, to be able to go out there and feel as good as I felt, definitely has been a special day for me for sure.”
On defense, Jordan Phillips was signed to the active roster after Ed Oliver was placed on injured reserve. Phillips emphasized staying focused amid anticipation for his first game since joining the active roster: “When you have all that energy built up all week, it’s normally not good,” Phillips said on Wednesday. “So, you just got to go in with the thinking that it’s just a normal game.”
Defensive backs Jordan Hancock and Maxwell Hairston reflected on their experience playing together against Carolina last week. Hancock commented: “It was great,” regarding playing with Hairston. “He was my roommate, so we were talking about the game, watching film on the game so we could be prepared on Sunday. So, it was a really good transition, easy transition.” Hairston expressed excitement about facing Kansas City’s receivers: “I’m looking forward to guarding all the receivers and all this competition, and that’s what I like,” Hairston said. “So, I’m just excited to play in my second game … play with the guys again, go out there, play fast [and] play physically.”
Linebacker Terrel Bernard discussed seeing Hancock and Hairston get playing time: “It just comes back to doing our job. We know our standard of play and who we want to be when we’re out there,” Bernard said. “So getting back to that [and] working together out here in practice, in the meeting rooms and outside of the building – making sure we’re on the same page and we’re seeing things the same way.”
Statistically, Buffalo enters Week 9 having won four straight regular season games against Kansas City. Since 2019 both teams rank among league leaders in total wins—Buffalo with 76 wins while Kansas City leads with 83 victories over that span (https://www.nfl.com/standings/league/2023/REG). Quarterbacks Josh Allen (279) and Patrick Mahomes (280) are first and second respectively in total touchdowns since 2018.
Running back James Cook currently leads NFL running backs by averaging over 107 rushing yards per game while also leading in yards before contact per carry (https://www.nfl.com/stats/player-stats/category/rushing/2023/REG/all/rushingyards/desc). Tight end Dalton Kincaid has helped Allen achieve a passer rating of 151.5 when targeted—the highest among quarterback-receiver duos with at least 25 targets according to Next Gen Stats.
Other notable offensive statistics include Buffalo ranking first in average rushing yards per game (164), first in time of possession per contest (33 minutes), third in total yards per outing (382), fourth in points scored per game (29), sixth in yards per pass attempt (8), and seventh in third down conversion rate at nearly 44%. Defensively they allow only around 162 passing yards each week—second best league-wide—and are top ten across several other categories including sacks recorded.
Several individual milestones are within reach this weekend:
– With one more rushing touchdown Josh Allen would surpass Cam Newton for most career rushing touchdowns by an NFL quarterback.
– If Allen rushes for at least six touchdowns this year he becomes first quarterback ever with such totals through eight seasons.
– A gain of 43 rushing yards would move Allen into fourth place all-time among Bills rushers.
– James Cook is two rushing scores away from tying Wray Carlton for sixth-most rushing touchdowns by a Bill.
James Cook recently earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after setting a personal best with 216 rushing yards versus Carolina; he also received recognition from NFL Network’s Angry Runs segment as well as Nickelodeon’s NVP award.
Fullback Reggie Gilliam has been recognized by SI.com as worthy of second-team All-Pro honors due largely to his blocking contributions during key plays such as Cook’s recent long touchdown run.
The Bills will also be featured during Season Five of ESPN+’s Peyton’s Places hosted by Peyton Manning; an episode spotlights quarterback Josh Allen along with fans known as “Bills Mafia” plus other members of Buffalo’s football community.
Additional team coverage is available via podcasts including Inside The Numbers—which examines James Cook’s historic season—and Inside The Charge which features tight end Dawson Knox discussing leadership roles within his position group.
