Patrick Mahomes Breaks Down What Makes Josh Allen “Special” Ahead of Chiefs-Bills Showdown
Patrick Mahomes offered a measured appraisal of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen ahead of the Chiefs‑Bills matchup, outlining the traits that make Allen a uniquely difficult opponent. Mahomes highlighted Allen’s combination of size, mobility and downfield playmaking as the core reasons he stands out among NFL quarterbacks.
Mahomes noted that Allen’s ability to extend plays with his legs and still deliver accurate, deep throws forces defences to account for multiple threats on every snap. That dual‑threat profile changes rush concepts and coverage plans, often creating mismatches or sudden explosive gains that swing momentum in an instant.
The Chiefs approach to the game reflects respect for those skills while keeping the focus on their own preparation and execution. Kansas City coaches have emphasised discipline in pass‑rush lanes and assignment football to limit Allen’s ability to improvise, and the offence plans to sustain drives to keep Buffalo’s playmakers off the field.
Recent meetings between these clubs have been tight affairs, with several contests decided by single plays in high‑leverage moments. Mahomes said that history matters less than performing in the present, a view reinforced by both teams’ records and the playoff implications that still hang over AFC contenders as the season moves into November.
Buffalo couples Allen’s scrambling with a strong running game and a defensive front that can generate pressure, presenting a full‑team test for Kansas City. The Bills’ overall balance has been a hallmark of their success, and stopping the run while maintaining coverage integrity will be central to any plan to contain Allen.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Reveals What Makes Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen Special
Mahomes recently faced the media and revealed what’s so special about Allen as a football player. This can be seen in a post shared by KC Sports Network on X.
For fans and analysts, the matchup offers a showcase of two elite quarterbacks at different stages of their careers but with similar capacities to change games single‑handedly. How each team adjusts in critical moments will likely determine the outcome.
Mahomes’ breakdown underlines why the Chiefs‑Bills rivalry has become a marquee AFC matchup, and it sets the stage for another closely contested game where one decisive play could tilt the balance.
The Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster
The Tampa Bay Lightning (5-4-2) are getting back in their groove, winning four straight games after their 2-1 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. While the Lightning look to rise to the top of the Atlantic Division their American Hockey League (AHL, Syracuse Crunch) and ECHL teams (Orlando Solar Bears) are heading in opposite directions. The Crunch are cruising, with a 6-1-0-0 record, which leads the North Division, while the Solar Bears own a dreadful 1-4-0-0 record, allowing twice as many goals (20) as they’ve scored.
Even still, there are standouts littered in the minors for Tampa Bay, and in some instances, the Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster.
AHL: Jakob Pelletier, F
The Lightning signed Pelletier to a three-year contract last offseason in the hopes he’d reach his massive upside. At 24 years old, the 2019 first-round pick scored four goals and seven assists with a plus-10 rating in 24 games for the Calgary Flames last season. That’s an average of about 14-24-38 over a full season, and he was usually playing bottom-six minutes.
Unfortunately, the Flames traded the winger to Philadelphia for Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost in late January. Pelletier couldn’t get back his offensive spark in Philadelphia. With the Flyers, he scored just three goals, five assists, and eight points in 25 games, sometimes being healthy scratched. When he was due $840,000 on a qualifying offer on a two-way deal, the Flyers non-tendered him, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Pelletier hasn’t made his debut with the Lightning, but with the Crunch, he’s thriving. Through seven games, Pelletier has notched four goals and five assists, with a plus-1 rating. He currently leads the Crunch in points and goals. In a 5-2 win against the Hershey Bears, Pelletier had two goals and an assist.
If Pelletier keeps this pace up, the Lightning could recall him, and he could be an injection of youth Tampa Bay desperately needs right now.
AHL: Dylan Duke, F
Dylan Duke is another young talent the Lightning hope can evolve into an NHL-caliber forward. He was drafted 121st overall by Tampa Bay after a stellar career with the Michigan Wolverines. In 2023-24, Duke was on a team with NHL draftees Gavin Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, and Seamus Casey. However, Duke led the team in goals (26) and finished third in points (49). Overall, he finished with 54 goals and 46 assists in 123 games.
Duke has just one goal in the NHL level so far, but he is turning a new leaf with the Crunch this season. He’s scored one goal and added six assists for seven points through seven games. He is currently in the top 20 in assists in the AHL level.
It appears Duke could be taking a big jump from his rookie season, when he scored 20 goals, 20 assists, and 40 points through 62 games. Like Pelletier, Duke is another young forward the Lightning are looking to develop into an NHL-caliber player. Unlike Pelletier, Duke is just 22, and he has time to grow and become another late-round NHL contributor for the Lightning.
ECHL: Spencer Kersten, F
It’s hard to find a standout for the Solar Bears this season, but there’s one player who’s been tried and true for them. Spencer Kersten continues to shine for Orlando.
Kersten spent four years with Princeton University and one year at Bowling-Green University before signing with the Solar Bears in 2024. In his rookie season, Kersten shined, recording 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points through 60 games. That earned him a spot on the 2024-25 ECHL All-Rookie team.
This year, Kersten has increased his scoring output, with three goals and three assists for six points through five games. He is on pace to record 86 points this season.
That could earn Kersten a recall to the AHL. His strong play with Orlando earned him brief stints with the Crunch and the Belleville Senators on loan. He scored one goal in nine games with the Crunch, but he could be in line for more opportunities in the AHL if he keeps up this pace.
