There hasn’t been much in the way of attractive football at Ralph Wilson Stadium in the first two quarters, but style points won’t matter to the winner of a Bills-Chiefs matchup that will leave the winner with a 6-3 record.
Right now, Buffalo’s on track to get there. They lead 10-3 after a first half that featured eight punts and good work by both defenses. The Bills defense forced the only turnover of the day, however, and Jarius Wynn’s recovery of a Knile Davis fumble set up a Dan Carpenter field goal that extended Buffalo’s lead in the second quarter.
The Bills have helped Alex Smith complete just 9-of-17 passes by generating a lot of pressure that has also led to a pair of sacks. The Chiefs pressure has definitely disrupted Buffalo’s offense as well, but Kyle Orton was able to connect with wide receiver Chris Hogan for a 25-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter for the game’s only touchdown. A good Leodis McKelvin punt return set the Bills up at midfield before that touchdown, which was another in the list of little plays that have provided the separation between the two teams thus far.
If the Bills can make a few more of them in the second half, they’ll likely be looking at a good position in the crowded AFC playoff hunt as the stretch run draws near.
