Posted on Nov 03

Bills defeat Chiefs 28-21, but lose DE Hoecht to season-ending Achilles injury

Posted Nov 3, 2025

The Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 28-21, but the victory came at a hefty cost with defensive end Michael Hoecht suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.

Why it matters: The Bills win not only improves their record to 6-2, solidifying their position in the playoff race, but it also highlights the depth and resilience of their defense amid significant injuries.

Hoecht’s injury is a tough blow for a team already missing key defensive starters like DaQuan Jones and Ed Oliver.
His loss will test the depth of the Bills' defensive line as they navigate the remainder of the season.

What’s new: In his brief tenure with the Bills, Hoecht made an immediate impact, recording two sacks before his unfortunate injury.

With Hoecht sidelined, the pressure falls on young talents like Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa to step up.
Despite his limited time, Hoecht's contributions were noted by head coach Sean McDermott, who expressed concern over the loss of “toughness” he provided.

By the numbers: The Bills pressured quarterback Patrick Mahomes on 47% of his dropbacks, a striking statistic that underscores their defensive dominance throughout the game.

Mahomes recorded a career-low completion percentage of 44.1%, facing relentless pressure from the Bills' defense.
Rousseau led the charge with six tackles and nine pressures, marking one of his best performances of the season.

Yes, but: While the Bills excelled defensively, the game also showcased areas for improvement, especially considering their low blitz rate of just 11%.

This strategic decision allowed them to maintain coverage in the secondary while still generating pressure, a balance that could be vital as they face other elite quarterbacks in the coming weeks.
Coach McDermott may need to adjust strategies moving forward, particularly with Hoecht’s absence being felt in both pass rush and run defense.

What to watch: As the season progresses, the performance of rookies like Maxwell Hairston, who recorded his first interception off Mahomes, will be crucial.

Depth players must continue to evolve into reliable contributors if the Bills hope to sustain their current trajectory.
The upcoming matchups against division rivals will be pivotal tests for this evolving defense.

The bottom line: The Bills impressive win over the Chiefs was marred by Hoecht's injury, which raises questions about their defensive depth going forward.

How effectively they can cope with losses while maintaining their defensive efficiency will determine their success as they aim for a deep playoff run.

Bills defeat Chiefs 28-21, but lose DE Hoecht to season-ending Achilles injury

Alex Parker

Posted Nov 3, 2025

The Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 28-21, but the victory came at a hefty cost with defensive end Michael Hoecht suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.

Hoecht’s injury is a tough blow for a team already missing key defensive starters like DaQuan Jones and Ed Oliver.

His loss will test the depth of the Bills' defensive line as they navigate the remainder of the season.

What’s new: In his brief tenure with the Bills, Hoecht made an immediate impact, recording two sacks before his unfortunate injury.

With Hoecht sidelined, the pressure falls on young talents like Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa to step up.

Despite his limited time, Hoecht's contributions were noted by head coach Sean McDermott, who expressed concern over the loss of “toughness” he provided.

By the numbers: The Bills pressured quarterback Patrick Mahomes on 47% of his dropbacks, a striking statistic that underscores their defensive dominance throughout the game.

Mahomes recorded a career-low completion percentage of 44.1%, facing relentless pressure from the Bills' defense.

Rousseau led the charge with six tackles and nine pressures, marking one of his best performances of the season.

Yes, but: While the Bills excelled defensively, the game also showcased areas for improvement, especially considering their low blitz rate of just 11%.

This strategic decision allowed them to maintain coverage in the secondary while still generating pressure, a balance that could be vital as they face other elite quarterbacks in the coming weeks.

Coach McDermott may need to adjust strategies moving forward, particularly with Hoecht’s absence being felt in both pass rush and run defense.

What to watch: As the season progresses, the performance of rookies like Maxwell Hairston, who recorded his first interception off Mahomes, will be crucial.

Depth players must continue to evolve into reliable contributors if the Bills hope to sustain their current trajectory.

The upcoming matchups against division rivals will be pivotal tests for this evolving defense.

The bottom line: The Bills impressive win over the Chiefs was marred by Hoecht's injury, which raises questions about their defensive depth going forward.

How effectively they can cope with losses while maintaining their defensive efficiency will determine their success as they aim for a deep playoff run.