The Buffalo Bills are gearing up to face the Kansas City Chiefs in what has almost become a yearly postseason tradition. While the matchup itself remains familiar, many things have changed since their last encounter, especially in terms of the defense the Chiefs will face this Sunday.
The two teams met last January in a highly competitive divisional round playoff game in Orchard Park, New York. This time, however, they will clash in Missouri for the AFC Championship Game, with the coveted Super Bowl spot on the line. The change in venue and stakes alone is enough to shift the focus of the game, but perhaps the most significant difference will be the personnel the Bills have on defense, particularly at linebacker.
In last year’s playoff matchup, which ended in a narrow three-point loss for the Bills, Buffalo had to rely on reserve linebackers A.J. Klein and Baylon Spector due to injuries decimating their depth at the position. This time around, however, the Bills are expected to have both of their starting linebackers, Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard, on the field — a much-needed boost to their defense.
To understand the significance, it’s important to look back at what happened last year. General manager Brandon Beane had to make an urgent call to A.J. Klein, who was on vacation with his family, asking him to return to Buffalo to help fill in for an injury-riddled linebacker corps. At the time, Milano was placed on Injured Reserve due to a fractured leg, and Bernard was also out with an ankle injury suffered the week prior. While Buffalo did have linebacker Dorian Williams — who would later go on to lead the team in tackles during the first 11 weeks of the 2023 season while filling in for the injured Milano — he was still a rookie, learning the ropes of the defense.
In addition, the Chiefs’ offense has never faced the current starting linebacker duo of Bernard and Milano. The last time Milano played against Kansas City, Tremaine Edmunds was his partner in the middle. That game was in October 2022, which saw the Bills emerge victorious. Milano was also recognized with All-Pro honors that season for his standout performance.
The Bills made a significant decision during the 2023 offseason, allowing Tremaine Edmunds to leave in free agency while planning to have a competition between Terrel Bernard and Baylon Spector for his spot. Whether it was due to Spector’s injury during training camp or Bernard simply proving to be the better option, the team ultimately decided to start Bernard alongside Milano as the linebacker duo for the 2023 season.
Unfortunately, just five weeks into the season, Milano suffered a season-ending injury. When the Bills met the Chiefs in the regular season later that year, it was a mix of Spector and Dorian Williams rotating in at linebacker alongside Bernard. Both players finished that game with one tackle each, while Bernard registered eight.
Looking at the numbers, Bernard has already made his mark in his career against the Chiefs. In the games he’s played against Kansas City and their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Bernard has tallied 20 tackles, one sack, and one interception. Milano has faced the Chiefs in one playoff game, registering 23 total tackles, including 11 in that high-stakes encounter.
The Chiefs’ offensive game planning this week is undoubtedly focused on neutralizing the strength of Buffalo’s linebacker corps, a task that has likely required far more attention and preparation than in any previous playoff matchup between these two teams. The presence of Milano and Bernard together on the field for the first time in a postseason setting brings a new dynamic to the game, and Kansas City will have to account for their ability to disrupt Mahomes and the Chiefs’ potent offense.
As Sunday’s game approaches, it’s clear that the linebacker battle could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome. With a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, both teams will be fully aware of the significant changes that have taken place in Buffalo’s defensive lineup since their last meeting, making this matchup even more intriguing than before.
