The Buffalo Bills’ win against the Kansas City Chiefs today was not pretty. The 16-10 victory was far from an offensive shootout. The key to victory was the Bills’ defense, which resembled the defense that racked up 20 turnovers and knocked some opponents with hard hits the first half of the season. Stephen Hauschka also helped Buffalo put some security points on the board. Quarterback Alex Smith had a final two-minute drive to try and rally for a win, but cornerback Tre’Davious White picked off Smith and ran it back into the red zone. A couple of kneel downs, and Buffalo found its first win in four games.
Here is what the Buffalo Bills did right.
Bills defense remembered to tackle
In the last three games before they played the Chiefs, the Bills had given up about 45 points per game. One of the reasons for the disastrous results was terrible tackling. The Buffalo defense made opponents look as if they had a wide- open field. Some fans felt that trading Marcell Dareus to the Jacksonville Jaguars a few weeks ago was the reason that the Bills’ defense fell apart against the run for almost a solid month. To give up six rushing touchdowns to the New Orleans Saints was humiliating to the team. However, to pin their putrid play on Dareus’ exit was somewhat misguided. The defensive end did not play much in the first half of the season.
Therefore, the responsibility for the defensive collapse rested on the players who were on the field.
Today, the Buffalo defense wrapped guys up right away. Running back Kareem Hunt was tackled for a loss a few times and never got his running game off the ground. The Bills bottled up Hunt, who only gained 17 yards for the game, as stated by ESPN.
Travis Kelce was also kept in check with less than 40 yards for the game. Giving up big plays had been a nightmare for the Bills in their match-ups against the New York Jets, Saints, and Los Angeles Chargers. They limited them today, which helped lead them to victory.
Stephen Hauschka nails three through the uprights
Besides a 52-yard field goal that he missed, Bills’ kicker Stephen Hauschka nailed three field goals through the uprights.
The nine points and one extra point that Hauschka made helped Buffalo score enough to win. Buffalo had some offensive struggles, but LeSean McCoy managed 80 yards rushing and receiving. A touchdown by Zay Jones and 60 reception yards by Charles Clay kept the chains moving and the team’s offense on the field.
White’s interception closes the game
On the last drive of the game, led by Alex Smith, Tre’Davious White picked off the quarterback. White ran the ball back to the 10-yard line of Kansas City. The game was over with a few kneel downs. White’s interception has given the Bills new life with a 6-5 record. They are now the sixth seed in the AFC East.
The Buffalo Bills will have their hands full, as they face the New England Patriots next Sunday at New Era Field.
