Thurman Thomas Confident Bills Can Overcome Chiefs

Bills legend Thurman Thomas during HOF induction in 2007 (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Thurman Thomas feels the Buffalo Bills are knocking at the doorstep when it comes to beating the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bills are 0-4 against the Chiefs in the playoffs during the Josh Allen-Patrick Mahomes era. However, they've lost three of those games by one possession, including their most recent playoff setback in the AFC Championship Game this past season.

Although the Bills are looking to win their first one against the Chiefs in the postseason, it's clear that the reigning MVP, Allen, always gives them a chance. He has 28 total touchdowns against just one interception in his games against Kansas City.

"With Josh Allen, I think every year we have a chance," says Thomas in a one-on-one interview with RG. "But I just think we haven't made the play when we needed to make it. Patrick Mahomes was throwing it, thrust into this right away with him and Andy Reid, and they've taken it and ran for the last five, six or seven years."

Thomas says the Bills have been right at the doorstep, saying their best chance in recent years was probably the 13-second game during the 2021 season. That would have given Buffalo the opportunity in the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which would have been hosted at their own house.

The Hall of Fame running back says defense -- not offense -- has been the problem in their losses against the Chiefs, allowing an average of nearly 35 points per game.

"We're looking at somebody on our defensive side, because offense hasn't been the problem for the Bills against the Kansas City Chiefs," says Thomas. "It's been our defense not being able to step up and make that big play. I know we had Von Miller for a couple of years, and before his injury, I think we were on that track to be that team to go to the Super Bowl. But he got injured, and everything kind of went away. Our chances are as good as anybody's."

Keys to Success

Thomas says a couple of keys for the Bills to take that next step into beating the Chiefs are the continued development of their top two young receivers in Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman. Shakir led the Bills in receiving last season during his third year in the NFL and his numbers have increased with each passing year. Meanwhile, Coleman showed some flash with 556 receiving yards on 19.2 yards per reception during his rookie year.

"You're looking at Shakir, they just paid him a nice lump sum of money," says Thomas. "If he can be better than he was last year, that's a step up. I know Keon Coleman is really excited about this year, because a couple of games he was hurt, and then he got back on the football field and really wasn't the same at the beginning of the season like he was. I think he's coming into his second year, wanting to prove that he was worth being a second round pick.”

"He's motivated to play well and do well this upcoming year," Thomas continues to say. "He has a lot to show too. We have some people on the offensive side of the ball that have a lot to prove. I think Coleman and Shakir will be a part of that."

Thomas -- who lost four consecutive Super Bowls during his career -- says he hasn't given Allen any advice on how to overcome the Chiefs.

"No, I have not," says Thomas when asked if he's talked to Allen about beating the Chiefs. "When I see Josh, I'll tell him something, but I don't bug him. And his situation, he just got married, and so life is crazy for him. He's on a lot of commercials now, and he just got paid a new contract. For me, it's just when I'm on the football field during a game or something, I'll say something to him or whatever, and maybe text him. But I just pretty much leave him alone, because I think what Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane have done over there, they've created a great culture over there."