The Skinny:
Ryan Succop hit a 35 yard field goal as time expired in overtime to lift the Chiefs to a 13-10 win over the Bills in a sloppy game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Bills had many chances to win this game after they tied it up on a Stevie Johnson three yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. Rian Lindell initially hit a game winning 53 yarder in overtime but a last second timeout made him re-kick. That kick hit the upright. The Bills had another chance when Succop missed a 39 yarder later in overtime. They constantly drove into Kansas City territory but couldn't get in range for Lindell to attempt another kick.
The Turning Point:
There were too many to write about but we will pick two. Lindell's 53 yard apparent game winning FG followed by his subsequent miss. The winning kick by Succop that turned him from goat to hero.
The Big Drive:
It had to be the final drive of the game that finally ended it. The Chiefs took the second Bills punt of overtime and went 53 yards in 8 plays to the winning kick. Charles had a 16 yard run and Matt Cassel hit Tony Moeaki for passes of 18 yards and 11. Charles added a 9 yard run to setup Succop's winning kick.
Stat of the Game:
The Bills had been outscored 77-14 in the 3rd quarter. In this game they outscored KC 3-0.
What You Don't See On The Stat Sheet:
The Bills had 58 yards in the first half but 66 on their opening drive in the third quarter that ended in a 43 yard Rian Lindell field goal.
Quick Slants:
- The Bills held an opponent scoreless in the first quarter for the first time in 9 games.
- The defensive scheme of the Chiefs confused the Bills early and they got tremendous pressure from the edges on Fitzpatrick.
- Chan Gailey challenged a stop on a Chiefs third down stop in the 2nd qtr. It's tough to win those challenges and he didn't but it was worth it since it only cost them a first half timeout. They aren't as important as 2nd half timeouts.
- The 8:57 drive to a field goal to start the third quarter was the longest of the season in terms of time of possession.
- The Chiefs became the fourth team in five games to get 200 yards rushing on the Bills. They finished with a whopping 274 yards on the ground but somehow only scored 13 points.
My Take:
The Bills continue to amaze me with the ways they find to lose. I actually thought they were going to win a game today. The Chiefs did so much to bungle this game. The referees awarded the Bills two huge victories on challenges in the final minutes of the game to actually allow them to tie the game. Lindell hit an apparent game winning 53 yard field goal in overtime but as usual this snake bit franchise lost again. The defense was awful but the Chiefs play calling was mind blowing as they stopped their own fourth down conversion with a timeout and then punted. The Bills had at least four chances to win and fell short everytime thanks to two punts, a missed field goal after a phantom timeout, and a turnover. They couldn't force a turnover, what else is knew, and despite every chance given to them to win, they found a way to lose. Thus is the life of a Bills fan. The question is if the Chiefs missed that final field goal would a tie have been fitting for a very poorly played game.
What's Ahead:
The Bills will once again look for their first win of the season. They will be at their home away from home when they take on the Chicago Bears in Toronto. Chicago is coming off their bye week so they will be well rested for this game.
