The Skinny:
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw four touchdown passes as the Bills went into Kansas City and shockingly routed the Chiefs 41-7 at Arrowhead Stadium handing KC their biggest opening day loss in franchise history. Scott Chandler caught two of those touchdown passes while Stevie Johnson and Donald Jones caught one apiece. C.J. Spiller wrapped up the scoring with his first career touchdown. The game started off very good with the Bills recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff. They would score a quick touchdown when Chandler caught a third down pass for a four yard score. Johnson had a nice leaping touchdown 27 yard touchdown pass and the Bills built a 20-0 lead in the 2nd quarter and never looked back. Jackson rushed for 112 yards while Fitzpatrick threw for 208 yards before all the starters got to take most of the fourth quarter off.
The Turning Point:
Had to be the first play of the game. The Bills took the crowd out of the game quickly by recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff. Five plays later and the Bills were up 7-0.
The Big Drive:
The Chiefs were still hanging in the game early in the 3rd quarter. The Bills finally put the hammer to them with an 8 play, 59 yard drive to Fitzpatrick's 11 yard TD pass to Chandler. Jackson dominated the drive gaining 38 yards getting the ball down to the one foot line before back to back penalties brought it out to the 11 on third and goal before the blown coverage left Chandler open in the end zone.
Stat of the Game:
The Score: Sometimes it's as easy as that. The Bills beating the Chiefs is an upset and a surprise. The great magnitude of the blow out is utterly shocking.
What You Don't See On The Stat Sheet:
The offensive line played really well. They got a nice push in the running game and gave Fitzpatrick a lot of time to throw the football.
Quick Slants:
- Two draft picks combined to make a great special teams play on the first play of the season. Chris White forced the fumble and it was recovered by Kelvin Sheppard.
- So much for not using tight ends. Scott Chandler got his first career touchdown on a third and goal catch in the end zone on the opening possession.
- I like the way Bruce DeHaven handled kickoffs. He used the kickoff from the 35 yard line to their advantage. High, short kicks let them return it but without much success.
- Fred Jackson showed once again how you can't measure a player's heart or determination. At the end of the first half he converted a 3rd and 1 when he was stopped in the backfield but kept going and fought through a few guys to get the first down. That allowed the Bills to run out the clock before halftime.
My Take:
I am not shocked that the Bills pulled off the upset but the demolition of the defending AFC West champions on the road almost leaves me speechless. It was a great performance that leaves all Bills fans happy. They now need to build on this with a very winnable home opener next week. The Ralph will likely be jumping just a bit more than we thought before this game.
What's Ahead:
The Bills come back to the Ralph for their home opener. It should be a winnable game against one of the other perennial bottom feeders in the league as the Oakland Raiders come to town.
