C.J. Spiller found the end zone twice and Buffalo rebounded from a tough season-opener with a 35-17 defeat of Kansas City.
Buffalo (1-1) was lit up for 48 points and 384 total yards by the Jets last week in a season-opening loss, but the defense was much better this Sunday as the unit totaled five sacks and two fumble recoveries before allowing a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns in the win.
Spiller, who had 169 yards and a score last week, finished this game with 123 yards on 15 carries along with three catches for 47 yards. Ryan Fitzpatrick went 10-for-19 for 178 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
"We'd rather be a physical run team that throws it when they have to or on surprise situations so we'll continue to work on that," said Buffalo head coach Chan Gailey. "Last week everyone was kicking dirt on us and this week they'll be putting us on a pedestal. Neither one of those are true. You have to work hard every week in this league and next week we'll be back at it."
Matt Cassel was 23-for-42 for 301 yards with two scores, one interception and one fumble for the Chiefs (0-2), who have given up 75 points in their first two games this season. Dwayne Bowe had eight catches for 102 yards and two scores.
"Another disappointing loss today," said Kansas City head coach Romeo Crennel. "We didn't play well in any phase of the game, didn't coach well enough. Buffalo did a really good job of those things and you have to give them credit."
On their second possession of the game, the Bills found the end zone. Starting at its own 16, Buffalo turned to Spiller as he had carries for five and seven yards before a catch-and-run saw him go 19 yards to get the ball near midfield. Several plays later with the ball at the KC 17, Spiller took a draw play inside the left tackle and went into the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 2:01 left in the first.
After another three-and-out from the Chiefs, Buffalo got the ball back at its own 33. It was Spiller again leading the way as his 38-yard run up the middle set up his 5-yard touchdown run, which saw him take a pitch out to the left and scamper in for his third touchdown of the season and a 14-0 lead with 12:29 to play in the half.
Following an exchange of punts, Cassel fumbled as he was sacked and the Bills recovered at the Chiefs 43. A Spiller 27-yard catch got the ball to the 2-yard line and, following an 8-yard loss, Fitzpatrick hit Scott Chandler in the back of the end zone for a 21-0 lead with 3:29 to play in the half.
The Chiefs appeared poised to put some points on the board as the team faced a 1st-and-goal at the Buffalo 1 with a drive that started at their own 17. However, Peyton Hillis fumbled a carry up the middle and Buffalo recovered in the end zone to keep the Chiefs off the board heading into the locker room.
Kansas City got on the board on its second drive of the third quarter on a Ryan Succop 33-yard field goal with 7 1/2 minutes to play and it was a 21-3 game, but it was all downhill for the Chiefs from there.
On the fourth play of its ensuing touch, Buffalo found the end zone as Fitzpatrick hit Stevie Johnson near the 40 and he cut through the middle on his way to a 49-yard score and a 28-3 lead.
Kansas City had to punt after just one set of downs and Leodis McKelvin took it back 88 yards for a score and a 35-3 lead.
Bowe caught scores of 33 and two yards in the latter stages of the fourth quarter to account for the final margin.
Game Notes
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