Chiefs takes on the Bills in the AFC Championship Game

As the Buffalo Bills prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, one of their biggest challenges lies in neutralizing tight end Travis Kelce, a perennial thorn in their side.

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who spent years scheming against Kelce, recently offered his advice on how Buffalo might handle the Chiefs’ offensive powerhouse.

During his appearance on Inside the NFL, Belichick didn’t shy away from addressing the difficulty of containing Kelce, especially in critical red-zone situations.

“[The Bills are] going to have to stop Travis Kelce,” he said. “That’ll be a big challenge for them. I tried to do that for the better part of a decade. It’s not easy.”

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Belichick highlighted Kelce’s uncanny ability to find gaps in the defense and exploit them for big plays.

“The number one thing with him is, you have to find him and cover him,” Belichick explained. “He does a great job of getting into open spaces, and when the defenders look back for the ball, especially in zone defense, he just uncovers, and Mahomes hits him.

“This guy is such a threat in the red area you just have to know where he is.”

Kelce’s versatility makes him a nightmare for defenses. Whether it’s his precise route-running, ability to adjust mid-play, or his chemistry with Mahomes, he consistently finds ways to exploit defensive schemes.

A history of dominance

This isn’t the first time the Bills have faced the challenge of stopping Kelce in the playoffs. In three postseason meetings since 2020, Kelce has been instrumental in Kansas City’s victories.

In the 2020 AFC Championship Game, Kelce racked up 118 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The following year in the AFC Divisional Round, he delivered another standout performance with 96 yards and a touchdown.

In last year’s playoffs, Kelce led the Chiefs in receiving yards with 75 and scored two critical touchdowns, cementing his reputation as a game-changer.

Buffalo’s defense has often struggled to keep Kelce in check, and his ability to shine in high-pressure moments has been a consistent theme in this rivalry.

Can Buffalo rise to the challenge?

Sunday’s game marks the fourth playoff meeting between the Bills and the Chiefs in five years. While Kansas City has had the upper hand in all prior encounters, Buffalo is desperate to reverse the trend. With Belichick’s insights in hand, the Bills’ defense must focus on limiting Kelce’s opportunities, particularly in the red zone.

The matchup will undoubtedly test Buffalo’s resolve. Success will depend on executing a disciplined defensive game plan, maintaining constant awareness of Kelce’s movements, and disrupting the timing between him and Mahomes.

Fans can tune in on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET to witness another thrilling chapter in this rivalry. Whether the Bills can finally conquer their postseason demons and silence Kelce’s impact will be a defining storyline in this year’s AFC Championship.