KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Chiefs need a strong game from
outside linebacker Tamba Hali when they play Sunday at Buffalo. Hali
didn’t play in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons because of a
one-game NFL suspension and the pass rush suffered without him.
Hali played as much as the other starters during the preseason, so a week’s absence from practice and the game shouldn’t affect him much. Hali’s greatest gift as a pass rush is his relentlessness. He’s produced many sacks over his career because he’s refused to give up on a play.
Even with Hali’s return, the Chiefs won’t have all their pass rushers against the Bills. Allen Bailey, a middle rusher in obvious passing situations, has a sore ankle and is unlikely to play at Buffalo.
Once Bailey returns to full health, the Chiefs should have a competitive pass rush. The other outside linebacker, Justin Houston, is, like Hali, capable of putting up double-digit sacks.
INJURIES: A rash of injuries is playing havoc with the special teams lineup and it cost the Chiefs in last week’s game against Atlanta. Rookies Tysyn Hartman and Devon Wylie, playing because of injuries to others, were caught out of position while covering a kickoff and the Chiefs allowed a 77-yard return by Atlanta’s Jacquizz Rodgers. Given the way the Chiefs are struggling on defense, they probably need to win in the kicking game in order to beat the Bills.
Hali played as much as the other starters during the preseason, so a week’s absence from practice and the game shouldn’t affect him much. Hali’s greatest gift as a pass rush is his relentlessness. He’s produced many sacks over his career because he’s refused to give up on a play.
Even with Hali’s return, the Chiefs won’t have all their pass rushers against the Bills. Allen Bailey, a middle rusher in obvious passing situations, has a sore ankle and is unlikely to play at Buffalo.
Once Bailey returns to full health, the Chiefs should have a competitive pass rush. The other outside linebacker, Justin Houston, is, like Hali, capable of putting up double-digit sacks.
INJURIES: A rash of injuries is playing havoc with the special teams lineup and it cost the Chiefs in last week’s game against Atlanta. Rookies Tysyn Hartman and Devon Wylie, playing because of injuries to others, were caught out of position while covering a kickoff and the Chiefs allowed a 77-yard return by Atlanta’s Jacquizz Rodgers. Given the way the Chiefs are struggling on defense, they probably need to win in the kicking game in order to beat the Bills.
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